In this Smoke Signal, Njuki Githethwa reads from the newly published collection ‘We Refuse to Be Victims' by Ugandan activist and poet Sam Mugumya. His words remind us that courage, dignity, and resistance are possible even under the harshest conditions.

Sam visited Nairobi in August 2025, where he met with grassroots collectives from informal settlements, inspiring hope and solidarity. Days later, upon returning to Uganda, he was arrested and has since disappeared into incommunicado detention. His poetry, written through years of imprisonment, survives as both testimony and torchlight.

Key Ideas and Highlights

Defiance in Captivity – Sam’s verses were born in jail cells, yet they speak of freedom and unbroken will.

Turning the Gaze – His poems insist that the real victims are despots enslaved by their own corruption.

The Role of Art in Struggle – Poetry as a tool of survival, resistance, and inspiration across Africa’s liberation movements.

Solidarity Beyond Borders – How words shared in Nairobi echo in Uganda, the Congo, and across the continent.

Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.

Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.

Resources & Show Links

Trouble Makers Linktree: linktr.ee/troublemakers.podcast

Credits

Host/Reader: Njuki Githethwa

Poet: Sam Mugumya

Producer & Audio Editor: Rodgers George

Podcast editor: Monica Kamandau

Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum