‘Promote reading culture by writing in local languages’
The poor reading culture again took centre stage at the 15th annual National Book Week that run at Garden City exhibition hall last week.
By Emmanuel Ssejjengo
The poor reading culture again took centre stage at the 15th annual National Book Week that run at Garden City exhibition hall last week.
But the 15-year-old excuse was watered down and the way forward was revealed. “Stop the poor reading culture argument. Let us write in our own languages first.
“East Africans must develop their local languages through writing and publishing, for literacy and political development,†Eriya Kategaya, the Minister of the East African Community Affairs (Impassioned for Freedom), noted.
He was only echoing Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s philosophy that provided the theme of the festival; Enhancing Literacy Through local Languages.
“Our common history and languages are one of the strategic pillars for the East African Community. If political federation is the engine that will ensure economic growth in East Africa, then reading will be the fuel that will stimulate critical and analytical thinking and innovations that will drive the federation,†said Kategaya.
But it was Gen. Elly Tumwine who made clearer remarks to a remarkably young audience. Going against the colonialist tendency, he subverted it by encouraging writers and publishers to “catch them young.â€
To him, civilisation and religions advanced through writing. And so can “our†wisdom and culture advance through writing in our own languages.
The representatives from many primary schools were indicative of a bright future. That the children’s reading tent was one of the busiest areas throughout the book fair reflected great optimism for the future of the book industry.
This year’s festival put the writer on a higher pedestal than the reader. Who does not deserve high recognition anyway? The literary awards ceremony provided the platform for recognition.
Natasha Karugiire (Nzima and Njunju) was among those who were rewarded. But many more were recognised at the opening ceremony; most notably MP Karoro Okurut, who mothered FEMRITE, one of the foremost publishers today. Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, Education minister Namirembe Bitamazire, the education permanent secretary, Francis Lubanga and James Tumusiime, the managing director of Fountain Publishers, were all recognised for their contribution to the book industry.
The festival attracted participants from Kenya and Tanzania, who took part in several events throughout the country. The week also marked the 10th anniversary of the National Book Trust of Uganda.
The festival launched itself into the big league of literary gatherings; attracting poets, biographers, scientists, novelists, historians, students who mingle, debate, agree, disagree while revealing their passions. Only disappointment was to the general readers, as the festival did not offer them much material.
The poor reading culture again took centre stage at the 15th annual National Book Week that run at Garden City exhibition hall last week.
But the 15-year-old excuse was watered down and the way forward was revealed. “Stop the poor reading culture argument. Let us write in our own languages first.
“East Africans must develop their local languages through writing and publishing, for literacy and political development,†Eriya Kategaya, the Minister of the East African Community Affairs (Impassioned for Freedom), noted.
He was only echoing Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s philosophy that provided the theme of the festival; Enhancing Literacy Through local Languages.
“Our common history and languages are one of the strategic pillars for the East African Community. If political federation is the engine that will ensure economic growth in East Africa, then reading will be the fuel that will stimulate critical and analytical thinking and innovations that will drive the federation,†said Kategaya.
But it was Gen. Elly Tumwine who made clearer remarks to a remarkably young audience. Going against the colonialist tendency, he subverted it by encouraging writers and publishers to “catch them young.â€
To him, civilisation and religions advanced through writing. And so can “our†wisdom and culture advance through writing in our own languages.
The representatives from many primary schools were indicative of a bright future. That the children’s reading tent was one of the busiest areas throughout the book fair reflected great optimism for the future of the book industry.
This year’s festival put the writer on a higher pedestal than the reader. Who does not deserve high recognition anyway? The literary awards ceremony provided the platform for recognition.
Natasha Karugiire (Nzima and Njunju) was among those who were rewarded. But many more were recognised at the opening ceremony; most notably MP Karoro Okurut, who mothered FEMRITE, one of the foremost publishers today. Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, Education minister Namirembe Bitamazire, the education permanent secretary, Francis Lubanga and James Tumusiime, the managing director of Fountain Publishers, were all recognised for their contribution to the book industry.
The festival attracted participants from Kenya and Tanzania, who took part in several events throughout the country. The week also marked the 10th anniversary of the National Book Trust of Uganda.
The festival launched itself into the big league of literary gatherings; attracting poets, biographers, scientists, novelists, historians, students who mingle, debate, agree, disagree while revealing their passions. Only disappointment was to the general readers, as the festival did not offer them much material.