Mzeei Kireju unveiling the book at the launch. Photo |Isaac Ssejjombwe
People who can effortlessly speak their local languages are getting fewer by the day, according to Dan Kireju, the project director of The Sagacity of Runyankore-Rukiga Proverbs Cultural Heritage book.
He added that because of this, they found challenges in developing the book to its final copy, which was released last Wednesday at Kampala Club.
The occasion, graced by dignitaries including Col (Rtd) Amanya Mushega, Miria Matembe, family and friends, commended Mzeei Kireju for the book that is a collection of Runyankore/Rukiga proverbs.
The book was compiled by the late Laban R.M Tibekinga, who also happens to be Kireju’s father-in-law.
“My father-in-law left a typewritten little manuscript and my job was to develop it into something that can be useful and answer what he wanted to address. That is why we made the necessary sacrifice to see that this book comes to this level,” Kireju said.
The 200-page book took two years to put together with the help of language experts, consultants and different institutions in Ankole and Kigezi.
The book has proverbs with their meaning explained in English, giving it an attachment to the Ankole sub-region and can also be used by people taking Runyankole/Rukiga classes at O-Level.
The daytime event also saw guests entertained by Nyonyi Cultural Troupe, who mostly performed cultural dances from western Uganda.