The First Woman is a richly layered coming-of-age story set in Uganda. The novel follows Kirabo as she grows from a curious girl into a mature young woman searching for her identity in a patriarchal society. Spanning generations, it blends personal stories with political and cultural shifts in Uganda, highlighting the tensions between deeply rooted traditions and emerging modern ideals of what it means to be a woman. Through vivid and emotional storytelling, The First Woman masterfully explores the complexity of African womanhood, past and present, and reveals the nuanced ways women resist and adapt within patriarchal structures. A thought-provoking exploration of growth, freedom and feminism.
The First Woman
By: Jennifer Nansubuga
Reviewed by Nokwanda Mngxitama
in December 2025
Published: 2021
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
ISBN: 9781786078582