Kabale University Joins the World in Celebrating World Book Day

Kabale University joined the world in celebrating World Book Day on 3^rd March 2022. This is an important day when the world reflects on the gains made in popularizing reading. It also takes stock of the steps taken in providing books to people on earth. The book is not just a source of knowledge, but also a significant entertainment tool. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) uses this day to promote reading and Publishing.

The celebrations at Kabale University, which were marked with pomp and pageantry, involved a variety of activities organized by Prof. Egara Kabaji, a visiting scholar on the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) Staff Mobility Programme and the Department of English. The activities included book reading competitions, timed Poetry writing and recitations, and audiobook reading competitions.

The reading competitions were to establish the fastest reader at the University. The adjudicator in various activities was Madam Ariho Lucky who, on behalf of the chairperson of the Department of English, Constance Tukwasibwe, appreciated Prof Egara Kabaji for his commitment to nurturing young writers and scholars. She urged students to manage their time well by reading audiobooks instead of listening to useless music. “This will enable you to improve your lives and achieve your educational objectives,” she said. Madam Ariho also thanked Mr. Godfrey Sempungu, the Communications Director, for taking a keen interest and supporting the event.

On his part, Prof. Egara Kabaji thanked the participants and asked African governments to popularize reading. “The book remains one of the greatest sources of knowledge. For any society to prosper, the populace has to develop a craving and urge to know. An accurate definition of development has to incorporate the empowerment of the human mind and the strengthening of its capacity to make meaningful choices in life. For a nation to develop, the human mind has to be empowered. One of the best ways of empowering people is through exposure to books,” Prof Kabaji said.

He further argued that “the term development, in its wholesome definition, has to integrate all activities that enhance intellectual aptitude. Reading is one of these activities. The indicators that determine the Gross Domestic Readership (GDR) are crucial in determining the level of development. Without this, we can only get a fraction of the real picture of development, when we discuss national growth rate.”

The overall winner, who was crowned, Kabale University Rocket Reader is Ahumuza Genevive, a second-year student studying Bachelors of Arts with Education. She received an autographed copy of Prof. Egara Kabaji’s new novel A Journey to Becoming among other goodies. The second overall winner was Irakiza Milton, a second-year student. Other participants also received prizes for participating in various activities.

By
Trophy Derek & Owembabazi Bianah