The Kingdom of Buganda has urged learners to cultivate a strong reading culture, emphasizing that reading is one of the key indicators of the quality of education a person acquires while in school.
The call was made by the Buganda Kingdom Minister for Social Services, responsible for Education, Health, and the Office of the Nnaabagereka, Choltilda Nakate Kikomeko, during celebrations to mark World Reading Day. The event was organised by the Kingdom at Lubiri Nnaabagereka Primary School in Lubiri, Mengo.
Minister Nakate encouraged learners to actively engage in reading, noting that the habit helps shape knowledgeable and responsible individuals.
“The habit of reading reflects the quality of education one receives during their schooling years,” she said.
She also highlighted the global significance of World Reading Day, noting that the celebration recognises the contributions of individuals who dedicated their lives to writing and promoting a culture of reading.
“Today’s celebration recognises the contribution of individuals who dedicated their lives to writing and promoting reading. One notable example is author Beverly Cleary, whose books sold over 91 million copies worldwide,” she said.
During her remarks, Minister Nakate also expressed appreciation to Ssekabaka Muteesa for allowing missionaries to come to Buganda and introduce formal education, which has since transformed the lives of many people in the country.
While at the school, the minister toured several classrooms, from nursery to upper primary. During the visit, pupils presented and read messages from various books, demonstrating their reading skills and comprehension.
World Reading Day is observed internationally on March 12 each year.
The Buganda Kingdom held its celebrations under the theme “Drop Everything and Read.”
Students were encouraged to make deliberate efforts to read regularly, understand what they read, and use knowledge gained from reading to positively shape their future.
The Head Teacher of Lubiri Nnaabagereka Primary School, Christopher Kalyesubula, thanked the students for welcoming the minister and urged them to share the experience with their parents and guardians.
He noted that the visit was intended to inspire learners and encourage them to take education seriously.
Minister Nakate was accompanied by her assistant in the Ministry of Education, Yusuf Katabira, who is also a former pupil of the school. Katabira encouraged the students to reflect on their academic journey and remain committed to the school’s motto of becoming “a light to the world.”
The Buganda Kingdom continues to emphasise education and literacy as key pillars for empowering young people and building a knowledgeable society.
