UGANDA READS – BUT DO WE BUY?

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I have a theory: Uganda’s reading culture is not as poor as people claim. The bigger problem is a poor book-buying culture.

I’m convinced that AT LEAST 2,000 people in this country actively read trade books, especially in popular genres like biographies, Christian expositions, inspiration, and literary fiction. If all other factors remained constant, this would be enough readers for an author to earn a profit.

However, how many of these readers actually buy the books they read, from legitimate publishers, authors, or distributors?

– How many opt for cheap, pirated copies from street vendors in downtown Kampala?

– How many wait in line to borrow a friend’s copy instead of purchasing their own?

– How many search for leaked PDFs instead of supporting the author?

– And how many would have bought your book – if they knew it existed?

People might be reading your book, but whether they bought it is another question altogether.

I know some of you are already in the comments section, to ask what I base this theory on. Well, I know of at least four Ugandan authors who say they have personally sold thousands of copies of their books, mostly in Kampala, and within just two years. These aren’t textbooks or academic materials; they’re ordinary trade books just like yours. Clearly, the demand exists. So why do we still hear that “Ugandans don’t read”? Maybe if we had access to real bookselling statistics – something I called for last week – we’d have clearer insights into which genres are selling and where. But since book sales data is rarely shared, all I have to go on is the word of these four authors. And for that, I applaud them, for sharing.

This isn’t just about selling books – it’s about shifting mindsets. How do we transform Uganda’s book-reading audience into a book-buying audience?

Photo: My partners/sisters and I attempting research in 2023 for our publishing projects, taken by Jane Namujuzi.

Written by

Crystal Butungi Rutangye

I delight in the power of the written word to share ideas, thoughts, stories, memories, and other aspects of humanity. With over 14 years' experience, my expertise includes editing fiction and non-fiction trade books, ghostwriting, book production management, and training new writers/editors. I lead a team of zealous book editors, graphics designers, and illustrators at Scribe House.

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