Mary Ongwen is a Ugandan writer based in Maryland. Born in Kampala and raised between the city and her family’s hometown of Soroti, she grew up immersed in stories, folklore, and the quiet wisdom of elders—roots that continue to shape her writing voice.

Her work explores themes of culture, faith, migration, and belonging, often blending personal reflection with vivid imagery. After relocating to the United States, Mary began blogging about her experiences, crafting essays that connect the intimate with the universal. Her writing has been featured in The New Vision, Uganda’s leading daily newspaper.

Mary holds a Master’s in Writing from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s in Literature and Sociology from Makerere University. She is also a photographer, having exhibited her work with the International Photography Society and the IMF–World Bank Photography Club, where she served as communications coordinator.

She lives in Maryland with her husband and two children.