London, UK – In the grand chambers of Buckingham Palace this summer, a Ugandan child reminded the world that stories can move nations. At 14 years old, Victor Austin Kiyaga, a pupil at Namilyango Junior College, was awarded Her Majesty Queen Camilla’s Royal Poetry Society Award, triumphing over more than 36,000 students across the globe. In the presence of his mother, teacher, and peers, Queen Camilla herself placed the award in Victor’s hands—an unforgettable moment that has etched Uganda’s name in the annals of international literary excellence.
For Uganda, this was more than a medal; it was a soft-diplomacy triumph, showcasing the creativity of African children on the global stage and demonstrating how literature can build bridges across cultures.
Victor’s success illustrates the profound role education and imagination play in shaping tomorrow’s leaders.
Victor’s journey with the written word began a few years ago, inspired by Ethan Charles Mufuma, Uganda’s 2021 winner of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC), contributed his first poem, “The Good Farmer,” to The Little Bards, a collection authored by Ugandan children. In 2023, he received a certificate of participation in the QCEC and rose to Junior Runner-up in 2024 with his celebrated essay, “One Story Can Open Thousands of Doors.”
Reflecting on his journey, Victor wrote: “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.” Indeed, the doors have opened.
Through Mr. Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Victor met Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, H.E. Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, at State House Nakasero on August 26, 2025. In their meeting, he narrated his story, presented his school’s new playbook, Anastanzia, and humbly requested support for his education and for a functional ICT laboratory at his school.
The First Lady received Victor with warmth and genuine attentiveness. Her response blended maternal care with a visionary outlook: “Victor, thank you for raising Uganda’s flag so high. I deeply appreciate your confidence and the clarity with which you shared your story. I pledge to support your education and to help your school establish a fully functional ICT laboratory. I also encourage all Ugandan learners to embrace reading and writing as divine pathways to knowledge, confidence, and national pride.”
Victor’s story is more than a personal triumph; it symbolises the transformative power of education and cultural exchange. Born in 2011 in Lugazi, Buikwe District, and raised in a family with a strong foundation in engineering and environmental stewardship, he has demonstrated that talent nurtured locally can flourish globally. From the quiet streets of Lugazi to the grand halls of London, his journey affirms that investing in children’s creativity yields dividends for communities and nations alike.
Victor’s message resonates far beyond its borders: every child carries a story worth telling. In sharing it, doors open, confidence grows, and bridges of understanding are built. In his own words: “Dear children across the Commonwealth, there is a story within your heart that can open doors for you. Are you ready to tell it? How will you tell it? And when will you share it?”
Uganda, through Victor, has offered an answer—proving that one story truly holds the power to open a thousand doors.
