Mayiga decries poor reading culture

“On many occasions when I am on an aeroplane, I see our brethren from Europe and the US very busy reading books and searching information on the internet, on their laptops.

The Katikkiro (Premier) of Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga has asked the kingdom's subjects and all Ugandans to develop a zealous culture of reading books. He expressed concern over the lukewarm reading attitude that is typical of many Ugandans and Africans, referring to it as "a big factor of our backwardness."

"On many occasions when I am on an aeroplane, I see our brethren from Europe and the US very busy reading books and searching information on the internet, on their laptops. Meanwhile we the Africans are just watching movies and making requests for drinks. Why should you request for beer at 1 pm," he said.

ome of the authors and publishers who participated in the uganda ingdom ook exhibition in a group photo with the atikkiro harles eter ayiga

Some of the authors and publishers who participated in the Buganda Kingdom Book exhibition in a group photo with the Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga

Mayiga was opening a two-day book exhibition at Bulange, Mengo, on Thursday. The exhibition, which was the first of its kind, was organized by the Buganda Kingdom ministry of Research.

Mayiga encouraged Ugandans to develop the passion for writing books, to be able to preserve Africa's rich culture, traditions, history and languages, and also, to share their knowledge with others. Mayiga thanked Princess Sylvia Mazzi Kakonge, the kingdom's Research minister, for organizing a successful exhibition.

atikkiro ayiga in glasses admires books at the ational ibrary of gandas stall ight is tella ekuusa the exhibitor

Katikkiro Mayiga in glasses admires books at the National Library of Uganda's stall. Right is Stella Nekuusa the exhibitor

The exhibition attracted celebrated authors, publishers, bookshops and organizations like the National Library of Uganda, Vision Group, Angelina Bookshop, Gusaro Book Centre, Marianum Press, Bible Evangelism Ministries, the Uganda Bible Society, Nabagereka Development Foundation and, Buganda Royal Institute of Business and Technical Education.

The exhibition ran under the theme: Researching, writing, reading and keeping literature is the source of development.

atikkiro ayiga and rincess ylvia azzi at the ision roup stall

Katikkiro Mayiga and Princess Sylvia Mazzi at the Vision Group stall

ockies roupe ancers in action during the launch of the uganda ingdom ook xhibition on hursday

Rockies Troupe Dancers in action during the launch of the Buganda Kingdom Book Exhibition on Thursday

usicologist ohn sempeke left with aul and orothy ugerwa who traveled from the

Musicologist John Ssempeke left with Paul and Dorothy Mugerwa who traveled from the US