LIFESTYLE NEW VISION, Monday, November 5, 2018 65

   





  The Location Imperial Royale Hotel,

Fountain Publishers celebrates 30th anniversary

Awardees pose for a group picture with Rugunda (centre) and the Tumusiimes (second, and third-left). Photos by Geoffrey Mutegeki

By Henry Sekanjako

For three decades of promoting and documenting ’s history, Fountain Publishers deserves the acclaim lavished their way, as was the case last Wednesday at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala, during celebrations to mark the milestone. The publishing company has been lauded for years of producing over 2,600 titles that have given Uganda’s history and culture the necessary exposure. The company has also extended its wings to neighbouring Rwanda, among other countries. At the fun-fi lled celebrations, the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, commended the publisher for enabling Ugandans to access critical information about the country’s culture and history. “I want to salute you because you have helped us know more about ourselves. Our schools no longer depend on or UK for textbooks; isn’t that victory?” Rugunda said. Guests following proceedings at the ceremony He praised Fountain Publishers for publishing Nsibambi, Tumusiime, Rugunda and Loy Tumusiime cutting remarkable books such as those authored by President cake to mark 30 years of Fountain Publishers , First Lady Janet Museveni and former prime minister Apolo Nsibambi. James Tumusiime, the founder and managing director of the company, said the idea to start Fountain Publishers was birthed to fi ll the gap in information about Uganda’s history. “We started Fountain Publishers because of the gap in documented information on the history of Uganda. The fi rst book I published was Who is who in Uganda. It is this book that launched us,” Tumusiime said. He said the company had also helped in improving the reading culture among Ugandans. During the ceremony, the publishing company awarded some of the notable authors and writers for promoting publications. These included the late renowned history professor Samuel Karugire, Maj. Gen. Pecos Kutesa and Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima. Among the attendees were authors such as former premier Nsibambi, fi rst daughter Natasha Karugire ’s public editor Charles Odoobo Bichachi (left), and her husband Edwin Karugire, as well as Prof and Vision Group managing director Robert Kabushenga chat Sabiiti Makara. with former New Vision editor-in-chief Els De Temmerman Attendees enjoying a drink during the celebration

First daughter Natasha Karugire and her husband Edwin Karugire at the celebration A band treats guests to sweet melodies Publications by Fountain Publishers were exhibited