Victor Austin Kiyaga - QCEC Junior Runner-up 2024 "One Story Can Open Thousands of Doors"
- Victor Austin Kiyaga
- Sep 24
- 3 min read
When I was crowned Junior Runner-up in The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024, I didn't know that I had unlocked thousands of doors of more great opportunities. You already know that the win, paid back immediately when my mother, teacher and I were facilitated to London for the Winners Week. With the Royal Commonwealth Society fully sponsoring both mummy and I.
But, that wasn't the end. Another very rare opportunity knocked at my door. It was through a lady called Patricia Kabuleeta. Patricia is the Minister Councillor at the Uganda House in London. Patricia did what I can't explain in words when she linked us to the First Lady also Minister of Education and Sports in Uganda, Janet Museveni.
The First Lady is a mother and loves being addressed as Mama (a local way to mean mother).
She was not in a hurry. No! She gave me the opportunity to narrate my story to her. This was so special. ' The whole First Lady listening only to me. Respect a pen and a paper!
I briefly narrated to Mama how we engage ourselves in creative writing as a school. Good enough, we had just launched a playbook titled Anastanzia and I carried a copy for her. She was amazed, excited and pleased to see that, all was being done by Ugandan children especially in her leadership tenure. Mama gave me her ears, eyes and I am sure, her heart too.
I requested her to support my school to construct a functional computer laboratory and also my personal education. Mama never hesitated. In her response to my submission she said, " Thank you very much Victor for raising the Uganda flag high. I really love your confidence and clarity in how you explain your feelings and the entire story. I pledge to support your education and also help your school have a function ICT facility". Those words were like spears of joy and love piercing my heart. It was glory to me, my mother and teacher (who both stood by me) as I presented myself to Mama.
Dear children especially in the Commonwealth, there is a story at your heart which could open doors for you. The only questions are : Are you willing to tell the story? If yes, how are you telling it? When are you telling it ?
You cannot win The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition and remain the same. The change you are looking for, is within yourself. Start by revealing that special story to the world and see how doors will open.
Thank you Royal Commonwealth Society
Thank you Patricia Kabuleeta
Thank you Mama
Thank you my parents
Thank you my lovely school Namilyango Junior Boys School. Special to mention is my head teacher (Rev.Sr. Immaculate Leticia Nabukalu).
Biography
Victor Austin Kiyaga was born on 9 August 2011 in Lugazi Town, Buikwe District, Uganda. He is the firstborn of Mr Paul Kiyaga (an Electrical Engineer, and Ms Harriet Nakitende (an Environmentalist) in a family of four children. His ancestral home is in Nsanja Village, in Katosi Parish, Ntenjeru Sub-County, Mukono District in Central Uganda.
His education journey began at three years at Multiple Junior School in Lugazi, Buikwe District. At six years old, he proceeded to Namilyango Junior Boys School (also known as Uganda Martyrs Junior Boys School Namilyango) in 2018 for his primary education to date. He is in Primary Six.
He was inspired to join creative writing when he was in Primary Four by Ethan Charles Mufuma, who won The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021. Kiyaga contributed to the first book (The Little Bards) that the children authored. In this book, he penned a poem titled The Good Farmer. This motivated him to remain an active member, and he continued writing articles that were published in the termly newspaper (Namilyango Times) and the annual magazine. Kiyaga first took part in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition in 2023, where he won himself a Certificate of Participation. This gave him more zeal and motivation to continue writing out of deep imagination. Writing has become part of him, and he can write anything, especially from imagination. He wants to become a prominent writer whose stories touch lives, change perceptions, and build oneness.
Since his success in the 2024 QCEC, Victor and the other members of the school writing club went on to complete their second book, Anastanzia, which was recently launched at the Theatre La Bonit in Uganda.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
