Godfrey Kalimugogo

Godfrey Kalimugogo
Born	Godfrey Mwene Kalimugogo January 1, 1943 Kabale District, Uganda
Died	January 25, 2015 (aged 72)
Occupation	Diplomat, writer
Nationality	Ugandan
Alma mater	Makerere University, University of Dar es Salaam
Genre	Fiction
Notable works	Sandu, the Prince

Godfrey Mwene Kalimugogo (1943 – 25 January 2015)^[1] was a novelist and diplomat from Uganda.^[2] He also served as a diplomat, representing Uganda in Kinshasha, Addis Ababa, and Dar es Salaam. He retired from the diplomatic service in 2003.^[3]

Early life

Kalimugogo was born in the village of Kyocezo, Kabale District, circa 1943^[4] in southwestern Uganda near the border with Rwanda.

Education

Kalimugogo was educated at Kihanga Boys' School in Mparo, Rukiga, from where he went to Nyakasura School in Fort Portal, Kabarole District. He graduated with an honours degree in English and Classical Literature from Makerere University College of the University of East Africa in 1968.^[5] He obtained a postgraduate degree from the University of Dar es Salaam.^[4]

Writing

His first book was published in 1972. A number of Kalimugogo's novels focus on the "lifestyle of the greedy hedonist and the ramifications associated with overt love of sex, booze and money".^[6][7]

Kalimugogo's first book, Dare to Die, was released in 1972, but it was his third novel, Trials and Tribulations in Sandu’s Home, released in 1974, that distinguished him as a witty writer. It was put on the literature syllabus. At the time of his death, he had published fifteen books. In 2004 and 2010, respectively, A Visitor Without a Mission and Bury Me in a Simple Grave earned him honours from the National Book Trust of Uganda.^[8][9][10]

Works

• Dare to Die. East African Literature Bureau. 1972.
• The Pulse of the Woods. East African Literature Bureau. 1974.
• The Department. East African Literature Bureau. 1976.
• Trials and Tribulations in Sandu's Home. East African Literature Bureau. 1976. ISBN 978-0860704089.
• The Prodigal Chairman. Uzima Press. 1979.
• Pilgrimage to Nowhere. 1981.
• Sandu, the Prince. Kenya Literature Bureau. 1982.
• A Visitor Without a Mission. Victor B. Services. 2003.
• Bury Me in a Simple Grave. Baroque Publishers. 2009. ISBN 9789970181018.
• A Murky River. Baroque Publishers. 2009.
• The Honourable MP Who Resigned. VB Services. 2010. ISBN 9789970450039.
• Escape from the shadows. VB Services. 2012.
• A Sacred Letter of Love. 2013.
• A Gang Of Traitors. 2014.
• The Billionaires’ Disease. 2015.

References

1. Muhwezi-Murari, Maurice Alex (29 January 2015). "Godfrey Mwene Kalimugogo: giant of the writing jungle goes to sleep". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
2. Wanyenze, Immaculate (23 September 2012). "Kalimugogo and his magic pen". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
3. Mulera, Muniini K. (27 January 2015). "Kalimugogo inspired us in life, challenges us in death". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
4. Gikandi, Simon (2003). Encyclopedia of African Literature. Taylor & Francis. p. 356. ISBN 978-0-415-23019-3. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
5. Kalimugogo, Godfrey (2009). Bury Me in a Simple Grave. Baroque Publishers.
6. Kalimugogo, Godfrey Mwene (17 January 2016). "Bury Me in a Simple Grave". Africa Book Club. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
7. Muhumuza, Dennis D. (19 December 2009). "Forget not the hand that feedeth you…". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
8. Muhumuza, Dennis D. (17 October 2010). "A lover and writer of good humour". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
9. Muhumuza, Dennis D. (31 October 2010). "Exposing the idiocy of politics of the belly". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
10. Muhumuza, Dennis D. (7 January 2012). "A promising year for Ugandan literature". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 17 January 2016.

External links

• Review of Bury Me in a Simple Grave at Uganda's Sunday Monitor newspaper