An interview with author, Mugabi Byenkya. Read Lady B’s review of his book, Dear Philomena here.

LE: Hello Mugabi, please tell us about yourself.

Mugabi: I was born in Lagos, Nigeria to Ugandan parents and grew up across Africa and Asia due to the nature of my late father’s work. Due to my birth on Nigerian soil, my parents’ Yoruba and Igbo friends claimed me as one of their own and gave me the names Olatokunbo and Mba, which I hold with pride. After graduating from high school, I received a full scholarship to the University of Kansas where I successfully gained two Bachelor’s degrees: in Environmental Science and International Studies.

LE: What you do for a living? Is writing your full time job?

Mugabi: I currently split my time between Toronto, Canada and Kampala, Uganda but I am planning on relocating to Kampala full-time by next year. I’m currently on tour across North America/East Africa in support of ‘Dear Philomena,’ but when I’m off tour I currently teach at an international school in Kampala.

LE: When did you start writing and what prompted it?

Mugabi: I started writing due to jealousy honestly, all my elder siblings were avid readers and I wanted to know how reading could be better than playing. I quickly fell in love with reading which combined with my natural inclination towards world-building, led to a love of writing.

LE: Are you currently working on any book and if you are, what is it about?

Mugabi: I’m currently sporadically working on another book but taking my sweet time with it and don’t expect a first draft ready until 2020. As for now, it’s a surprise that I’d rather not reveal. 🙂

LE: Lastly, what are your hobbies?

Mugabi: Aside from writing and reading, to relax I love going to concerts alone or with loved ones.

Dear Philomena is Mugabi’s debut book.

Mugabi is on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and has a website.