The reading culture in Rwanda and her East African neighbours is dismally poor.  There are only a handful of bookshops which are dotted around the central business district. 

Libraries outside education institutions are nonexistent. The only public library being built in Kacyiru has been at the same stage for close to four years now.

Since 2005 nothing much has changed to this structure. These are some of the factors hindering the development of a reading culture within the country.

The country’s vision of creating a knowledge based society is likely to remain only a dream unless the issue of a reading culture is not effectively addressed.

One way of addressing this issue is by making sure that people can readily find books. The duty of selling books should not be solely left to the few bookshops around. For the literary goals to be achieved, books must be everywhere and easy to access.

Before 2007, it was possible to buy old books in the taxi park at Nyabugogo. The book vendors were eventually evicted apparently to make the park a more orderly place. Now it is virtually impossible to buy old books in this city.

For the new books though, it is possible to get hold of really good books from some of the new shopping establishments such as Simba and Nakumatt supermarkets.  Here, one is likely to find a wide selection of books, magazines and even newspapers.

This is an innovative move since supermarkets have a way of making people buy things that were not on their shopping lists. Therefore it is likely that a shopper may decide to pick a book off the shelf after buying the groceries for the home.

The list of books is endless. For example there are language books for Swahili, Spanish, German, Chinese, and of course French. There are also several travel books, novels and the latest entertainment magazines.

Other supermarkets should take the cue and add books to their list of products. For example, the Kisementi stretch of supermarkets (Ndolis) should not just be selling only food stuffs and cosmetics.

People in Remera, Kanombe, Kimironko and surrounding areas can and wish to read some books. Unless books are made easily accessible, the country’s reading culture may remain as poor as it is for a long time to come.

Contact: ssenyonga@gmail.com