Dear Colleague,

Re: Participation in the Promotion of Academic and Non Fiction Authorship in Uganda

Academic and non-fiction authors form the intellectual backbone for the development of a country. In Uganda there is high potential for academic and non-fiction writing because of the several reforms in the education sector. These have created a huge demand for learning materials at all levels of education.

Uganda has witnessed growth in the number of locally authored academic and non-fiction titles. There are however still key concerns that limit authors from fully enjoying the benefits of authorship such as:

• An unpredictable environment that may negatively impact on certain author/intellectual freedoms;
• Weak author bargaining power with publishers
• Author ignorance of the Uganda Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2006;

There has been progress in terms of the enforcement of the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, 2006. However, unauthorized photocopying and pirating of academic and non-fiction works continues unhindered. The infringements on academic and non-fiction works affect the economic rights of authors.

To ensure that authors benefit from authoring of books, there is a need for a shared vision that requires the authors coming together and having one voice to ensure the sustainability of academic and nonfiction writing. Indeed, the National Book Trust of Uganda (NABOTU) has put on its agenda the promotion of academic and non-fiction authorship that would ensure demonstration of links within the book industry.

With the support from the Non-Fiction and Translators Association of Norway, there is an intended need to create a forum for Academic and Non Fiction Authors in Uganda. You have therefore been identified as a prominent and/or potential academic or non fiction author in this country that would support this initiative.

I am therefore requesting you to take a little of your time to fill in this questionnaire. This research is intended to help us gauge the general level of academic and non-fiction authorship in Uganda. Be assured that the information obtained from this survey will entirely be used for purposes of this research only and not for any other purpose and will be kept in confidence.

I thank you.

Prof. Elisam Magara
Project Coordinator, Promotion of Academic and Non Fiction Authorship in Uganda Project,
National Book trust of Uganda,
Contact: magarasam@gmail.com, +256-772/706-495592 Web: http://easlis.mak.ac.ug/

Please click the link below to participate

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHppTDdmbDM3RlIxRVFZNVRMdWNBWkE6MQ