Uganda in literary ‘desert’

Mar 17, 2008

Nigeria and South Africa dominated the shortlist of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, revealing Uganda’s failure to get out of the literary desert.

By Titus Kakembo

Nigeria and South Africa dominated the shortlist of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, revealing Uganda’s failure to get out of the literary desert.

One of the judges, Prof. Gakwandi, regretted: “Unlike Uganda, our competitors have thousands of established publishers and their editing standards are thorough.”

“Uganda had no entry and instead, Nigeria and South Africa dominated the competition that attracted 51 books. There are 28 books from South Africa, 13 from Nigeria and one from Kenya.”

The guest of honour, Sir Naipul, left many expectant Ugandan authors and publishers sad when he announced the shortlist.

The two African regional winners will take home a prize of £1,000.

The overall best book and first book writers will be announced in South Africa in May.

The best book winner will bag £5,000 and £10,000 for the best first book.

Best book Author
writer: Barbara Adair
Country: South Africa
Title: End

Runners-up
Writer: Ifeoma Chinwuba
Country: Nigeria
Title: Waiting For Maria

Writer: Finuala Dowling
Country: South Africa
TItle: Flyleaf

Writer: Karen King
Country: Nigeria
Title: The Hangman’s Game

Writer: Susan Mann
Country: South Africa
Title: Quarter Tones

Writer: Zakes Mda
Country: South Africa
Title: Coin

Best first book
writer: Sade Adeniran
Country: Nigeria
Title: Imagine

Writer: Ceridwen Dovey
Country: South Africa
Title: Blood Kin

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