Freedom Cafe

The power of art in shaping society and reflecting change

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Kenya recently hosted a gripping edition of its Freedom Café, spotlighting the launch of  “We Refuse to Be Victims,” a powerful poetry collection by Ugandan poet and activist Sam Mugumya. The event brought together over 100 writers, poets, artists, and activists to explore its role in defending democracy and human rights.

Mugumya’s collection, written during his eight-year imprisonment in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Prison Militaire de Ndolo, is a riveting testimony of survival and resilience under political repression. The 82 poems capture themes of injustice, endurance, and the relentless pursuit of freedom, offering a stark reminder of the human cost of authoritarianism. 

Joining remotely from an undisclosed location due to security concerns, Mugumya shared his harrowing journey of survival and artistic defiance. “These poems were conceived in the bowels of hell. Writing in prison is illegal, but I refused to be silenced,” he recounted. His work, he emphasised, is a call to action: “Despots don’t take kindly to people who speak the truth.”

Mugumya stressed that change will not come from the ruling elites but from ordinary people taking action: “At the end of the day, it’s us—the downtrodden, the masses—who must build the future we want to see. Taking part in a revolution is an act of love, for yourself, your neighbour, for humanity.”

The event highlighted art’s historical role as a tool for resistance and political expression. Stefan Scott, FNF Project Director, highlighted the unique ability of artists to shape public discourse: “Artists are the true liberal minds of society. They sense social shifts and violations of human values long before others do.” He praised Mugumya’s work as a powerful catalyst for dialogue on freedom and justice. 

Martha Karua, leader of the People’s Liberation Party and keynote speaker, drew parallels between Mugumya’s poetry and Africa’s rich tradition of using art to resist oppression. “This is more than a book launch—it’s a celebration of a legacy. Mugumya’s words will echo wherever people fight for dignity and freedom,” she said.

Karua also highlighted the destruction of Mugumya’s first manuscript during his imprisonment, making “We Refuse to Be Victims” a demonstration of his unbroken spirit.  “In the face of despair, Mugumya chose hope. His poetry kept him alive, focused, and unbroken—a testament to the indomitable human spirit,” Karua noted.

The event took place against the backdrop of shrinking democratic space, state-sponsored abductions, and targeted crackdowns on activists in East Africa. Karua underscored the urgency of speaking out against injustice, citing the violent arrest of 36 FDC members in Kisumu last July, the abduction of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, in Nairobi on November 16, and Kenya’s flawed policies, including the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the revised education-funding model.

“These are some of the injustices we face today, and the fear in us sometimes stops us from raising a finger. But from Sam Mugumya’s inspirational work, we are reminded that fear is not an option.” Adding that, “Mugumya’s journey—eight years imprisoned, shuffled between governments—proves that surrender is not an option.”

Karua urged East Africans to recognise their interconnected struggles: “The fight for liberation is no longer confined to one country. It is within our neighbourhoods, within the Jumuiya, within our region of Africa, and in all countries where repression is rising.”

She linked regional oppression to broader democratic backsliding: “Oppression in one nation fuels suffering in another. The abductions of Ugandan activists in Nairobi and the targeting of Turkish and Ethiopian refugees all point to a dangerous pattern. What we do here in Kenya can encourage others elsewhere.”

Karua also invoked the Gen Z protests in Kenya, which gained global attention, as a sign of continued resistance: “Let us not lose that moment of upholding transparency and accountability. Liberation must be grounded in shared values, and Kenya’s Constitution, particularly Article 10, remains our guiding principle.”

The Freedom Café, part of FNF Kenya’s contribution to the “Up4Democracy” campaign, reinforced the vital role of freedom of expression in advancing democracy. The global campaign aims to restore the appeal of the idea of democracy against the resurgence of authoritarianism, populism, and other dangerous ideas. The event featured a live poetry reading by acclaimed actor Raymond Ofula and performances by local artists, blending art and activism in a powerful celebration of resilience and hope. 

Through Mugumya’s story and the collective voices of artists, FNF Kenya once again reaffirmed its commitment to fostering dialogue, challenging oppression, and championing the transformative power of art as one of the modern tools in the fight for freedom.