Kabale University Receives Prof. Egara Kabaji as Visiting Scholar on IUCEA Staff Mobility Programme

Kabale University is playing host to a distinguished professor of Literary Communication from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega, Kenya. He is here on IUCEA Staff Mobility Programme for four months. Prof. Egara Kabaji, who arrived in the country on 15^th January 2022, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master of Arts Degree in Literary Studies, both from Kenyatta University; a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Strategic Management option) from JKUAT; and a PhD from the University of South Africa (UNISA).  He is the only professor of Literary Communication in Kenya.

Prof. Egara Kabaji is both a literary critic and creative writer. He contributes on a multiplicity of platforms including publications in refereed journals, books, broadcast and print mass media. He is an academic who writes passionately on Literature, Culture and Education. Prof. Kabaji is arguably one of the most prolific writers of children’s literature in Kenya with over thirty publications. He writes in both English and Kiswahili.

Prof. Kabaji is also a Fulbright Scholar with wide experience in teaching, research and community service. His latest venture is the establishment of EGARA KABAJI TV, a YouTube Channel dedicated to research and academic content.  His creative works include A Journey to Becoming, The Slave Child, Secrets of a Film Star, Letter to God, Simbi at the Market, Mwanasayanzi, Back to the Roots,  Home at Last, Uncle Sese, The Sunday School Project, Chiche na Mwizi wa Redio,, Waganga wa Zayani, Nyenyeka the Chameleon, , When the Dead Met the Living, King of All Fish, The Knife, The Crying Stone, The Magical Bird of Navuhi, Jomo Kenyatta: The Father of Harambee. He has also published two anthologies of poetry for young readers and a number of works on Cultural Studies and Literary Criticism.

Prof. Egara Kabaji will be based in the English Department at Kabale University and will, among other responsibilities, run creative writing workshops and create writing and reading culture, develop a Master’s Degree Programme in Creative Writing and build capacity in research.

While receiving Prof. Kabaji on behalf of Kabale University administration, Mrs Anny Katabaazi–Bwengye, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration underscored the importance of helping our students learn effective communication and the need for East African Universities to share human resources available within the region. Prof. Kabaji was accompanied by Dr. Constance Tukwasibwe, the University’s focal person on the IUCEA programme.