Just wrapped up giving it a second read and boy oh boy, Victor Bauer Mukundane had a story to tell—one so personal and profound that it demanded to be heard.
In this his poetry collection, Flashes of Aurora: A Symphony of Conversations, he poured out his heart, holding nothing back, serving not just a poetry, but his truth; wrapped in verses that reflected life’s triumphs, struggles, and fleeting moments of beauty.
The idea for the book was first conceived during an extraordinarily tragic time; the global lockdown that had been as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the stillness of those days, when the world seemed to pause, Victor turned inward. He thought deeply about life’s unpredictability, its soaring highs, crushing lows, and quiet moments in between. It was in this solitude that his poetry was born.
The title, Flashes of Aurora represents brief but intense moments of creativity and self-reflection. Victor therefore sought to capture the essence of being human: the trials of growing up, the quest for identity, the pursuit of love, and confronting systematic failures, the pressing issues of society, especially in his home country of Uganda and personal battles that many people face, weaving an embroidery of resilience, vulnerability, and hope. His poems didn’t shy away from the harsh realities of life and this is seen in pieces like The Decadent Society which challenges social issues.
The standout theme from the collection was adulthood and all the relentless struggles that come with growing up. Victor painted an unflinching picture of how personal challenges are often intertwined with societal issues. In every poem, he invited us the readers to step into his world, to see through his eyes, and to feel the pulse of life as he experienced it.
Since its release, Flashes of Aurora has struck a chord with readers. Officially launched on October 4, 2024, at Alliance Française Kampala, the poetry publication launch event was attended by friends of Bauer. It was also highlighted by a performance from Quex, a long time associate of the author.
Prior to its launch, Victor shared glimpses of his work on The Fatboy Show on RX Radio where it received positive feedback. Critics have praised the book, with Daily Monitor’s Phillip Matogo calling it bold and thought-provoking, highlighting its fearless critique of society. Matogo singled out poems like The Decadent Society, which confronted the moral decline of the modern world with vivid and biting imagery. Another powerful piece, according to him was Kafkaesque which delved into the duplicity of politicians, capturing the frustration of navigating a world full of contradictions.
Phillip Matogo also cites the poem Monroe, on which he heaps praises on Bauer’s perfect rhymes to describe the 1950s (60s) phenomenon that was Marilyn Monroe. Words with identical sounds like “game” and “tame,” or “element” and “elephant” quite capture Matogo’s attention. He in conclusion deems the collection as one that is worthy of your time.
Yet, Flashes of Aurora wasn’t just about critique. It also celebrated love, sacrifice, and resilience. Poems like Dear Mama honored parental devotion, while Lilly of the Valley and Scars from the Past explored the complexities of relationships and emotional scars. Victor’s words resonated because they were honest, offering readers a mirror to their own struggles and triumphs.
As would be any journey, Bauer’s journey to bringing Flashes of Aurora to life wasn’t easy. Victor confesses that he wrestled with procrastination, production hurdles, and the fear of exposing his vulnerabilities. As a poet in a country where reading—especially poetry—is a slowly growing art, he faced the challenge of creating something that could truly capture attention. To keep readers engaged, he added black and white visuals to the book, breathing life into the words and offering deeper insights into his perspectives.
Through it all, Victor’s unwavering goal was to tell his truth. At every book reading and with every conversation about Flashes of Aurora, he was reminded of the power of words. Hearing how his poetry touched readers was a reward he deeply cherished.
Victor Bauer Mukundane didn’t just write a book; he opened a door to his soul. In Flashes of Aurora, he invited the world to step inside, to see the beauty and chaos of life through his eyes, and to find their own truths along the way.
The book is at the moment only available in physical copies at Ugx 40,000 and exclusively available in the The Uganda Society Library hundreds. Bauer plans to release it in electronic formats too, as an effort to make it even more accessible. You could also order up a physical order for now, by giving him a call on +256705728492.
About Victor Bauer Mukundane:
Victor Bauer Mukundane is an East African poet, author, corporate events emcee with Constellation Uganda, and a sports enthusiast. Now with his very first poetry publication Flashes of Aurora being out now, he hopes to not only inspire but also connect with readers.
