Violet Barungi facts for kids

Violet Barungi, born on December 18, 1943, is a talented writer and editor from Uganda. She has helped publish many books through an organization called FEMRITE. One of her most famous books is the novel Cassandra. Violet has also worked for different literature bureaus, helping to produce books. She was a Book Production Officer at the East African Literature Bureau from 1972 to 1977. Later, she became a Senior Book Production Officer at the Uganda Literature Bureau from 1978 to 1994. Since 1997, she has worked as an editor for FEMRITE.

Early Life and School Days

Violet Barungi was born in a place called Mbarara District, which is now known as Ibanda District in Western Uganda. She went to school at Bweranyangi Girls' Senior Secondary School and then Gayaza High School. After that, she studied at Makerere University in Kampala. She earned a special degree in History there. Violet is married and has six children.

Her Amazing Writing Journey

Violet Barungi started writing when she was still a student. Her very first short story was called "Kefa Kazana." It was published in a collection of stories named Origin East Africa in 1964. This story was even broadcast on the BBC!

Violet's play, Over My Dead Body, won a big award in 1997. It was the British Council New Playwriting Award for Africa and The Middle East. This play was later included in a book called African Women Playwrights.

Books and Stories by Violet Barungi

Violet Barungi has written many books for both adults and children.

• The Shadow and the Substance (a novel) was published in 1998.
• Cassandra (another novel) came out in 1999.

She has also written fun short stories for children:

• Tit for Tat and other stories (1997)
• The Promise (2002)
• Our Cousins From Abroad (2003)
• The Boy Who Became King (2004)

Violet has written other plays too. The Award-winner is a stage play. She also wrote a radio play called The Bleeding Heart.

What Her Stories Are About

Violet Barungi's stories often explore how people relate to each other. She also writes about important topics like gender equality and the importance of educating girls. For example, her play Over My Dead Body was inspired by her concern for young girls. She worried about girls who might marry rich men too early and stop their education. She believes that if these marriages don't work out, the girls are left with nothing. Her writing helps to highlight these important issues.

Her Work as an Editor

Violet Barungi is one of the people who helped start FEMRITE. FEMRITE is an organization that supports women writers. She worked as an editor for FEMRITE from 1997 until she retired in 2007. Even after retiring, she has continued to help edit books published by FEMRITE.

Awards and Special Recognition

• In 1997, Violet Barungi won the British Council New Playwriting Award for Africa and The Middle East. She received this award for her play "Over My Dead Body."