Schools in Northern Uganda are being asked to support locally authored books in a bid to promote reading culture and build confidence among writers.
Ms Catherine Lamwaka, the former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Gulu students who will be reading such stories will find them more familiar to them.
Lamwaka was speaking to staff and students of Graceland High school in Gulu on Thursday afternoon.
Lamwaka bought eight copies of “But my heart ‘a book authored by James Onono
Ojok and donated them to school Library saying she believes that supporting locally published books will promote the reading and writing culture in the region.
“I very much believe that the author of ‘But my heart “who grew up from Northern Uganda wrote many things that reflect many challenges a youth might encounter but he also went as far as creating a path for one to escape from,” Lamwaka said.
She also cited other books like ‘Luo secrets’ by Mwaka Lutukumoi, ‘a Nation in Labour’ by Harriet Anena among others that she said need to be supported.
She also challenged students to stay focused and be determined to succeed in life even if the situations they are passing through appear tough adding that they should not give up because they are the ones to give hope to their parents or guardians who struggle to pay their school fees.
Lamwaka was touring schools ahead of the celebrations of the international day of the African child that was held on the 16th June.
Lakaraber Sheila and Aol Oliver, all students of Graceland Girls School talked to Acholi Times and said the RDCs words of counsel have provoked them to be leaders in future.