Kelele poetry celebrates a decade of verse and voice

Once upon a time, under the soft glow of the moonlight at the Makerere Art Gallery compound last Friday, poetry lovers gathered beneath the old tree.

It was no ordinary evening. This was Made in Kelele, a spectacular celebration marking 10 years of Kelele Poetry at Makerere University.

“Kelele” translates to “noise” in Luganda. However, this poetry recital is a necessary kind of noise. What began as a humble gathering of students with a shared love for words has evolved into a powerhouse of spoken word and performance art. For a decade, Kelele has stood as a beacon of creativity, inspiring literary excellence. Its sessions, often held at the Makerere Art Gallery, are an intoxicating blend of spoken word, music, and performance.

Student gathered in numbers to witness Kelele at Makerere art gallery

The night pulsed with emotion and artistry. There were tales of love, pain, hope and resilience. Every line struck a chord, every pause held power. The evening opened with an electrifying performance by Patience Norah Nanono, whose piece Save Me was with raw emotion and unflinching honesty. Her powerful delivery drew the audience into her world, evoking empathy and awe in equal measure.

Following her was Rehema Nanono, whose poignant exploration of love and heartbreak left the crowd reflective. Timothy Kyaligonza then lightened the mood with his witty, observational poetry on the humor and chaos of everyday life. He was proof that poetry can both heal and entertain. Several other performance poets followed, each getting deserved applause.

Each poet brought something unique to the stage — a voice, a truth or a spark.