The First Woman

Summary

Set in Uganda in the 1970s, during the dictatorship of Idi Amin, The First Woman follows Kirabo, a curious and strong-willed twelve-year-old girl growing up in the rural village of Nattetta. Raised by her grandparents and surrounded by a large extended family, Kirabo enjoys a relatively comfortable childhood, yet she is troubled by one unanswered question: who is her mother, and why did she leave? As she enters adolescence, she also begins to sense a rebellious side of herself that conflicts with the obedient girl her family expects her to be.

Determined to uncover the truth about her origins, Kirabo seeks the help of Nsuuta, an older woman regarded by the village as a witch. Through their conversations, Nsuuta introduces her to Baganda folklore and the legend of the “first woman”—an original, independent female spirit that exists before society imposes its restrictions on women. These stories challenge Kirabo’s understanding of femininity and encourage her to question the traditions that govern her life.

Blending Ugandan mythology, family secrets, and the realities of life under political dictatorship, Makumbi explores motherhood, female sexuality, cultural identity, and the expectations imposed on women across generations. Kirabo’s journey becomes a powerful coming-of-age story about discovering who she is beyond the roles assigned to her. The novel celebrates women’s resilience, ancestral knowledge, and the possibility of redefining traditions to create a more liberated future.