The Commonwealth Foundation has announced five regional winners of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Ugandan author Joshua Lubwama’s story “Mothers Not Appearing in Search” is the regional winner for Africa, narrowed from a shortlist of six.

“Mothers Not Appearing in Search” is a moving story about a a young boy who befriends a woman who has recently moved into the neighborhood, against his mother’s wishes. The Africa regional judge, Cameroonian author, poet and scholar Nsah Mala, praised the story’s prose and narration:

‘Mothers Not Appearing in Search’ stands out in many ways, especially its elegant prose, sense of humour, and thematic novelties. Coming out from Africa as the most youthful continent on Earth, this story is an arresting narration of youthfulness and football. And it also wittily evokes fate, love and women’s empowerment. As the story suggests, the path to one’s destiny is not paved with angels only. What a memorable story!

Joshua Lubwama is a 25-year-old software engineer and writer based in Kampala, Uganda. He was longlisted for the 2024 Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the 2023 and 2024 Afritondo Short Story Prizes. His work appears in The Anatomy of Flying Things and Travelling Men Don’t Die.

For Lubwama, winning the regional prize of £2,500 GBP and the recognition along with it has been very motivating:

Winning the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the Africa Region has given me licence to dream. For this story—‘Mothers Not Appearing in Search’—to appeal to an international panel of judges means the world to me. One day you’re spending lonesome hours at the dining table wrestling a story into existence—with the entire process shrouded in self-doubt—and then the next, these Commonwealth Foundation people are telling you they’re absolutely thrilled to let you know that you’re shortlisted, and then there’s more. It’s really a testament to the power and ability of stories to connect us through our shared experiences, each of us recognising bits and aspects of our own lives in the tales of others.

The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is awarded annually for the best piece of unpublished short fiction from any of the Commonwealth 56 member countries.The overall winner, who will receive £5,000 GBP, will be announced in an online ceremony at 1pm BST, Wednesday, June 25, 2025.