We Are All Birds Of Uganda By Hafsa Zayyan

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

20210405

As he nears the end of a career-making deal, lawyer Sameer's life is about to change.

Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim

This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again.

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210406

Young lawyer Sameer has accepted a plum role in Singapore. It's the culmination of years of hard work - but first he has to visit his parents in Leicester.

Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

On the cusp of a career in international law, Sameer visits his parents in Leicester.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210407

The shine is coming off Sameer's perfect London life - at work his amiable boss has quit and oldest friend Rahool is moving back home to Leicester.

Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

As Sameer's oldest friend moves back to Leicester, the lawyer is facing worries at work.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210408

As Sameer prepares for his move to Singapore, Hasan's letters lay bare the full extent of the changes in 1950s Uganda.

Read by Vincent Ebrahim and Sacha Dhawan

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

As Sameer prepares for Singapore, Hasan's letters reveal creeping change in 1950s Uganda.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210409

Desperate to avoid telling his parents about his relocation to Singapore, Sameer has worked up a plan for the family business.

Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim

This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world.

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Avoiding the topic of his imminent departure, Sameer has a plan for the family business.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210412

In search of space, Sameer has postponed his relocation to Singapore and is on the way to Uganda to look up an old family friend.

Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

In search of space, Sameer is on the way to Uganda to look up an old family friend.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210413

Although Sameer has settled in to life with his wealthy friends the Shahs, he's keen to explore his family roots elsewhere in Uganda.

Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Sameer is settling in to the rhythms of Ugandan life with his wealthy friends, the Shahs.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210414

As Sameer's friendship with Maryam deepens, his grandfather's letters reveal the reality of life as a refugee from Idi Amin's Uganda.

Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Sameer's friendship with Maryam is distracting him from his family research in Uganda.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210415

Sameer's trip to Uganda has changed his life but before he can take the next step he must return to Leicester and face his family.

Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Sameer's trip to Uganda has changed his life but now he has to face his family.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

20210416

As Sameer returns to Uganda, his grandfather's letters reveal how he made the same trip decades before.

Read by Vincent Ebrahim and Sacha Dhawan

Written by Hafsa Zayyan

Abridged by Patricia Cumper

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Echoing an earlier generation, Sameer returns to Uganda to be with the woman he loves.

In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
01	20210405	As he nears the end of a career-making deal, lawyer Sameer's life is about to change. Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
02	20210406	Young lawyer Sameer has accepted a plum role in Singapore. It's the culmination of years of hard work - but first he has to visit his parents in Leicester. Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie On the cusp of a career in international law, Sameer visits his parents in Leicester. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
03	20210407	The shine is coming off Sameer's perfect London life - at work his amiable boss has quit and oldest friend Rahool is moving back home to Leicester. Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie As Sameer's oldest friend moves back to Leicester, the lawyer is facing worries at work. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
04	20210408	As Sameer prepares for his move to Singapore, Hasan's letters lay bare the full extent of the changes in 1950s Uganda. Read by Vincent Ebrahim and Sacha Dhawan This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie As Sameer prepares for Singapore, Hasan's letters reveal creeping change in 1950s Uganda. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
05	20210409	Desperate to avoid telling his parents about his relocation to Singapore, Sameer has worked up a plan for the family business. Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie Avoiding the topic of his imminent departure, Sameer has a plan for the family business. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
06	20210412	In search of space, Sameer has postponed his relocation to Singapore and is on the way to Uganda to look up an old family friend. Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie In search of space, Sameer is on the way to Uganda to look up an old family friend. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
07	20210413	Although Sameer has settled in to life with his wealthy friends the Shahs, he's keen to explore his family roots elsewhere in Uganda. Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie Sameer is settling in to the rhythms of Ugandan life with his wealthy friends, the Shahs. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
08	20210414	As Sameer's friendship with Maryam deepens, his grandfather's letters reveal the reality of life as a refugee from Idi Amin's Uganda. Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie Sameer's friendship with Maryam is distracting him from his family research in Uganda. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
09	20210415	Sameer's trip to Uganda has changed his life but before he can take the next step he must return to Leicester and face his family. Read by Sacha Dhawan and Vincent Ebrahim This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie Sameer's trip to Uganda has changed his life but now he has to face his family. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.
10	20210416	As Sameer returns to Uganda, his grandfather's letters reveal how he made the same trip decades before. Read by Vincent Ebrahim and Sacha Dhawan This elegant and eye-opening debut crosses continents and generations as it explores love, duty and the long shadows cast by colonialism. Themes of romance and exile combine with a stunning portrayal of modern Uganda as a young man tries to find his place in the world. Winner of the New Writer's Prize from Stormzy's imprint Merky books, Hafsa Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands - and back again. Written by Hafsa Zayyan Abridged by Patricia Cumper Producer: Eilidh McCreadie Echoing an earlier generation, Sameer returns to Uganda to be with the woman he loves. In her debut novel, Zayyan takes us from East Africa to the East Midlands and back again.