‘I was so enraged when I was cheated of Shs300 by a taxi conductor’

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva is a published poet, a blogger and the founder of the Beverley Nambozo Poetry Award. She told Dennis D. Muhumuza that her guiltest pleasure is R-rated

What have you been up to since the first Beverley Poetry Awards last year?
I have been working on my second manuscript of poetry and also planning for the next poetry awards for this year. The theme this time round is “Money and Culture”. I have also launched the poetry project in schools. I have created an award for students in both primary and secondary schools to submit poetry under the theme “money”.

First it was teaching, and then radio and now poetry awards, so what will it be next for you?
After radio (Power FM), I went to work at EASSI, a sub-regional women’s organisation. I was in charge of communication and also the young women’s leadership programme. Next on my mind is the first ever street bash of poetry in Uganda. It’s going to be called The Poet’s Bait. I am planning this for the end of the year.

Your blog is called ‘The Exodus of Whatever’ …doesn’t that sound purposeless?
It actually sounds more purposeless when you say it very fast backwards!

I remember reading somewhere that you were working on your first novel. How far?
From now on, I am going to stop talking about this novel until it is published.

Do you dislike anything about your appearance?
You are joking, right?

Do you get many men complimenting the gap in your teeth or it’s partly why your husband fell for you?
My husband fell for me for countless reasons. Men give me many compliments and hardly any of them have to do with the gap in my teeth.

Which living person do you most admire and why?
I admire any writer who is always writing and always improving on their writing.

When were you happiest?
Dennis, I can’t share that with the public. It’s an R-rated experience.

What’s your favourite scent anyway?
When I am pregnant, it is mint. On other days, I like lavender, chocolate cake, roast…

What’s the most expensive buy you ever made?
A Toyota Rav 4.

When did you last cry and why?
I was so enraged when I was cheated of Shs300 by a taxi conductor.

What traits do you deplore most in others?
Plagiarism, judgment based on appearance and money, mistreating little children.

What would you bring back to life if you could help it?
All my bank accounts and also my gift of dancing. I have not danced in five years and I need this part of my life back so badly.

Have you ever said I love you to someone and not meant it?
Yes, especially on birthday and office cards.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
My family and in-laws scattered all over the globe. Also, Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill), Cuba Gooding Jr, Chandra Wilson and Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy), Wole Soyinka, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Routledge (Keeping up Appearances). out of a whole lot of money.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
God and my family.

--Sunday Monitor, February 28, 2010