IBBY-Yamada 2016: Uganda

The role of reading for pleasure

The education system in Uganda emphasizes reading to pass examinations. Little attention is paid to encouraging children outside the school syllabus, even though reading for pleasure, entertainment and knowledge go together and should be encouraged from early childhood. IBBY Uganda – the Uganda Children Writers’ and Illustrators’ Association (UCWIA) – organised a workshop to explain, sensitize and convince teachers and parents the role of reading for pleasure in Kampala on 29-30 March. In addition books were donated to the Kawempe Church of Uganda Primary School to support the establishment of a library that would benefit the school and community.