Uganda book forum holds 3rd Awards ceremony
Dec 01, 2019
The President of the Book Forum of Uganda, Nasser Kakumba asked the authors to be patriotic as they practice their trade. He also asked them to offer solutions to the country’s challenges, instead of focusing on things that don’t benefit the people.
AWARDS
KAMPALA - A total of 20 authors have been honoured by the Book Forum of Uganda, a local not-for-profit organisation that strives to promote a culture of writing and reading.
They received their accolades during the function that brought together authors and publishers from across the country in Kampala on Friday.
There were interesting scenes as the authors, publishers and other stakeholders in the industry interacted and shared their experiences. The presence of veteran writers like the Hon. Henry Kyemba, Gen. Pecos Kuteesa and the Uganda National Library Director Nekusa also added colour to the function.
But probably the most inspiring aspect of the function was the presence of child-authors, who further to writhing amazing books, also presented poems on sensitive issues such as environmental conservation.
Chibita hands over an accolade to Hon Miria Matembe as members of her family cheer
The President of the Book Forum of Uganda, Nasser Kakumba asked the authors to be patriotic as they practice their trade. He also asked them to offer solutions to the country's challenges, instead of focusing on things that don't benefit the people.
"Today our country has many moral issues. Moral values such as hard work, honesty, respect for others, nationalism and pan-Africanism are vanishing. Let's mind to write about such areas for the peace and prosperity of our country."
Henry Kyemba, who authored The State of Blood (1977), asked the authors to always be true to their conscience as they write books.
Chibita handing over an accolade to Dorah Baguma, the daughter of author Moses Mukisa, who was the overall winner of the awards
"Remember that you are the voice of the voiceless. The trade of writing and publishing is of course not lucrative. But the challenges you are going through are not as painful as the price you pay when you lose your integrity. So, never write to please people."
The Director of Public Prosecution, Michael Chibita (who was the Guest of Honor), paid tribute to the Book Forum of Uganda for coming up with the initiative of promoting the country's book industry. He also encouraged all Ugandans to develop a culture of writing, saying this was the way to keep posterity informed about the country's history and heritage. Chibita also argued that writing elevates the one who writes.
One of the young authors presenting a poem on the environment
"Writing remains a good thing, irrespective of what motivates you to write. If you write a book, you become a better person. If there is any book that you want to read and it has not been written, write it," Chibita said.
During the function, Moses Mukisa, the author of Financial Growth, was declared as the overall winner of this year's Uganda Book Awards.
Amazing Grace Kirabo, a student of Gombe High School, Kawaala, won the category of the Child-Author.
The function ran under the theme: Books are a Bridge to Economic Development.
Justice Henry Kawesa (centre) dances with friends as he goes to receive his award
The Winning Authors
Best (overall) Book of the Year: Moses Mukisa, Financial Growth
Life-time Achiever: James Tumusiime
Politics and Governance: Miria matembe, The Struggle for Freedom Betrayed
Best Child-Author: Amazing Grace, Nurtured by a Blind Mother
Novel of the Year: Lauren Ocen, Alien Woman
Best Spiritual Book: Erica Mukisa, Eighteen Years with Lucifer
Self-help and Humour: Justice Henry Kawesa, Help in the absence of a Lawyer
Business Motivation Book: Moses Mukisa, Financial Growth
Culture, Ethics and Biographies: Kisamba Mugerwa, A Focused Journey
Best Academic Book: Kichui Shadrack, Direct to Point-Bull dozer
Children's Readers: Rose Rwakasisi, Sunshine after Rain
The guests being served dinner at the function
Primary Maths: Ronald Kakemnbo, MK Primary Maths Book 6,
Primary Science: Joseph Munanura, MK Integrated Science Book 6
Leading Primary SST: Godfrey Nsubuga, MK Standard SST Pupils Book 4
Primary English: Sarah Sabano, St Bernard Pupils Book 4
O Level Arts: Fortunate Akanyihayo, Concise O Level English
O-Level Sciences: Joseph Semu, Understanding O-Level Physics
A Level Arts: Muhanguzi Hussein, A History of modern Europe made easy
A-Level Sciences: Joachim Kimbowa, Vocational Agriculture
Instructive Book: Long Horn Publishers