By Noeline Nabukenya
Makerere University through the institution’s press published nine books on Tuesday 28th June at the book launch event held in the afternoon at Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility (CTF).
This is one of the many milestones reached at during the 100 years of the university’s existence.
“There is evidence that Makerere University is going in the right direction. This is the best way to celebrate 100 years of Makerere’s existence. In launching nine (9) books, the university is showing the way in terms of scholarly publishing” Prof. Josephine Ahikire, the Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) said during the book launching event.
According to Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the university Vice Chancellor, this is a great achievement for the now research leading university to have African scholarly work published.
“The main thing that I have wanted to do is the emancipation of black people from mental slavery. When I see our researchers beginning to publish about issues of Uganda and Africa, I am happy that Makerere University must continue to offer this leadership,” the VC noted.
He added that this improvement assures him there is some reasonable work done, “If Makerere can become a research-led, publishing university, I will have done my job. I am proud to be the current Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.”
The institution’s aim is changing the narrative of scholarly educational references which is dominated by foreign authors, and they now need to see students using the published knowledge in their academic work.
“When you look through the course outline for students at Makerere, you will not find any Ugandan writers in the reading lists,” Prof. Ahikire argued.
The university has over 40 manuscripts in the university’s press according Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs who has called for efforts to see the books are utilized.
“I am delightened to note, we have over 40 manuscripts in the pipeline of the university press. As we celebrate 100 years, and fully revive the university Press, we need to refocus our energies to gain a readership for all our published works,” Prof. Kakumba advised.
Among the books launched include; HIV/AIDS in Uganda: Achievements and Challenges by James Kiwanuka – Tondo, Moving Back into the Future: Critical recovering of Africa’s Cultural Heritage by Dominica Dipio, What I Saw When I Died by Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, (Mis) management of Sub- Nationalism and Diversity I’m “National”: The case of Buganda in Uganda, 1897-1980 by Godfrey Asiimwe, Countering Violent Extremism in Uganda: History, Philosophies, and Strategies by Veneranda Mbabazi, and others.
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