Improving indigenous publishing in Lusoga Language

Abstract

The aim of the project was to establish ways of improving indigenous publishing in Lusoga language, the objectives were to establish; the role of indigenous publishing in Lusoga language, the current situation of publishing in Lusoga language, the challenges faced by the Lusoga publishing industry, to establish the solutions to these challenges. This project was carried out in Busembatia, the headquarters of the Lusoga language and it employed the questionnaire, interview and observation techniques to collect data from thirty (30) respondents selected from 3 institutions that take a leading role in the formulation, facilitation, coordination and implementation of Lusoga language. The findings revealed that indigenous publishing in Lusoga language was necessary for promotion of culture, knowledge dissemination, and to act as repositories f history of the people of Busoga. However, findings showed that Publishers are conspicuous by their reluctance to publish in Lusoga language. Many of these publishers cite lack of readership in Lusoga language as a reason for this move which is frustrating efforts at indigenization and domestication and increase dependency on foreign languages, notably English and Luganda; they also cite the poor economy and unemployment, the high levels of illiteracy, lack of expertise, lack of competitiveness and regulation, shortage of local writers, and the language problems. And solutions to these challenges included; creation of a strong reading culture, promotion of literacy, enactment of a National publishing policy and government support. The findings also showed that the coming to life of Lusoga Language Academic Board and the Association of Lusoga Language Educationalists, Researchers and Translators were good moves in the direction of improving indigenous publishing in Lusoga language. The project concluded that more strides in the form of research must be attached to improving the relevance of material being published so as to stimulate interest in the market – local books must address subjects closer to the local/Lusoga publication readers’ hearts. This will increase the readership. The project recommended recognition of publishing by the government as a strategic industry, establishment of community publishing, carrying out talent identification programs (writing skill searching), carrying out market research, formation of joint ventures and the rehabilitation of the education system in Uganda to produce more job creators (inclusive of publishers, local writers, etc.) than job seekers.