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Ugandan women rights activist Hope Turyasingura is dead. Turyasingura is former chairperson of Center for Domestic Violence Prevention. This poem celebrates her.

(For Hope Turyasingura)

My survival depends
on the honesty with which I tell of you,
on the honesty with which I dare to share
about your strength, your passion and love.

You were never one to mince words.
‘Every woman must learn to make choices’
You taught the girls and women you encountered
Along life’s path in this wide wild world;

You were a strong voice,
a loud voice that spoke;
Women are not donkeys,
not those bags in the gym,
not beggars.

They are equal BRAINS.

You gave of your selfless you
You flowered,
dropped a lot of seed.
Thank you.

There is a huge gap now
But your seeds shall take your path
they shall flower
and they shall cover it.
so you can rest in PEACE.

(1 Oct 2014)

Juliet Kushaba
Programmes Officer
Femrite - Uganda Women Writers Association