Dear Editor,
 
Over the years, I have observed that the reading culture in Rwanda is still very low. Recently, I was in one of the city banks in Kigali.

I was very idle and there was nothing whatsoever in the bank for me to read; implying that many Rwandans do not care much about reading.

The ministry of education should sensitise the public on the importance of reading such that the culture can spread. Even with staggering reading statistics in the country, there is promising development especially with the on going construction of public library in Kigali.

It would be a good thing if writers are given extra attention. The ministry of education should consider including intensive reading on the schools’ curriculum and establish a publishing house.

Writers can be helped by organizing prize winning competitions for writers, right from primary school level to university. Reading makes one knowledgeable. It is rather sad to note that most of Rwanda’s history was written by foreigners.

There might not be any major danger in this; however, we ought to have our very own ‘Shakespeare’ or ‘Wole Soyinka’ among others. It is very gratifying to have an internationally appreciated book about Rwanda written by a Rwandan.

Musanaze Freddy, Butare University