On August 7, 2023, Uganda Textbook Academic and Non-fiction Authors Association (UNATA) organized an insightful workshop at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) Kihumuro Campus Library boardroom. The workshop was organized under the theme “Authorship in the 21st Century: Connecting Authors to Libraries,”.
The event gathered local authors, academicians, and publishers to explore the dynamic landscape of writing and its relationship with Libraries.
Among the distinguished guests physically were: retired judge of the industrial court his Honor Asaph Ruhinda Ntengye author of “The Judge that I Was by God’s Grace”. Dr. Godfrey R. Mugyenyi Senior lecturer/obstetrician/gynecologist MUST, who became a member of UTANA that day. He is the author of Clinical obstetrics care handbook 1st edition 2022.
Dr. George Muganga a representative for the UTANA western region gave welcome remarks to the participants. He thanked them for turning up despite their busy schedules. He shared the benefits of joining UTANA and gave insights about membership categories among others.
He emphasized the crucial role of authors in shaping knowledge and education. He highlighted the importance of fostering a strong connection between writers and libraries to enhance access to valuable resources and promote scholarly works. He urged authors to emphasize on originality. The event was moderated by the university librarian Dr. Robert S. Buwule who welcomed the congregation that was both physical and online.
In his presentation, Dr. Buwule shared how libraries are supporting authors in the 21st century. The presentation focused on library services that support authorship. The presentations also highlighted misconceptions about libraries and authors, use of references, hardships in referencing, and Library linkages with the author.
He said, when references are made, the writer acknowledges the contribution of the original writers and researchers in their work. More to that, it gives credit to the writers from whom the researcher borrowed words and ideas. This also enables one’s reader to learn more through the references, in the long run, this protects the author from plagiarism, and supports the author’s views and claims.
Dr. Buwule further shared the Misconception about Libraries and authors, he pointed out that people have the wrong information and that libraries indirectly reduce book sales by loaning out free copies, more to this is that libraries are ever quiet spaces. The public thinks that librarians only know how to shelve and guard books from being stolen which is not true.
Additionally, he said that all these author misconceptions can only be cleared when authors use the services of the Library. He affirmed that libraries play a big role in authorship which benefit authors in several ways. He shared the following views;
- Libraries ensure everyone can freely access books and other media or non-book materials (sometimes with minimal or no pay).
- They are power buyers of author’s products as they often buy multiple copies of the same book or material.
- By marketing the books, they create new fans for authors.
- Librarians are experts in connecting the right book to the right reader/user.
- Authors get royalties from publishers for books and non-book materials sold to libraries.
- Authors legally deposit their works at the National Library and contribute to the building the national heritage.
Mr. Jorgen Lorentzen a well-known director, author, scholar and a Professor of literature at the University of Oslow in Norway. He is also the General Secretary of the Norwegian Non-Fiction Writers and Translators Association (NFFO). gave a presentation about quality of books in relation to quality of education. He emphasized the idea of copyright and need to respect it in the academic world. Jorgen said many authors have been frustrated and put out of business due to the abuse of the copyright law. He encouraged the government to protect such laws for them to benefit the brains behind it.
He further said writing a book is a process, that starts with having an idea, putting it on paper, reading and researching more about it, writing a manuscript, editing and proof reading the manuscript until it is published. He urged writers to take time and write about original ideas, which should be followed through the whole publishing process.
Still in line with quality writing, Jorgen said authors need to get their work professionally done especially when it comes to proof reading and referencing.
“Some academic authors tend to dodge these stages of the publication process which leads to production of biased and substandard works for their readers”.
Mr. Charles Batambuze, the Executive Director of Uganda Reproduction Rights Organization (URRO) and Vice Chairperson National Culture Forum, gave in-depth insights about the benefits of being a member of URRO and UTANA. These include; protection of copyrights which save guard members’ publications both at the national and international level, the generation and investment of the association’s revenue, facilitation, exchange, and collaboration between writers across the different disciplines
Charles also guided and moderated the open discussion. This triggered concerns about experiences and insights into modern-day authorship, delving into the challenges faced by authors in the digital age, including issues related to copyright, digital publishing, and plagiarism. Strategies to leverage technological advancements to expand the reach of academic and non-fiction works were also discussed. In conclusion participants expressed their gratitude to UNATA and MUST for organizing such a valuable workshop and requested more of such engagements.
Prof. Elisam Magara, the Chairperson of UTANA and a Professor at the East African School of Library and Information Science, Makerere University, closed the workshop. He thanked the authors who managed to attend the workshop both in person and online. He also appreciated MUST for hosting the workshop and pledged that UTANA will continue working with MUST to ensure that academic and nonfiction writers benefit and enjoy their writing.
Brief about UTANA
UNATA is a non-profit organization that gives a voice to the interests and concerns of all academic, textbook, and non-fiction authors and is dedicated to promoting Authors’ works and their status in society.
The vision of the Association is “A member-driven association upholding and enhancing the profile, status, and rights of academic and non-fiction authors in Uganda.”
The mission is “To promote the rights of academic and non-fiction authors through advocating for the recognition of their works and protection of their rights, products, and services in collaboration and cooperation with all stakeholders in the book value chain.”
Some of the MUST University staff that attended physically
