The government has been called to promote local authors and publishers in order to help the growth of bookshops in the country and make books affordable to Ugandans.
Mr. Richard Kibirige, Sales Stock Manager Aristoc bookshop said, “The government needs to help local writers and authors by subsidizing them to ensure they minimize the costs of importing books which sometimes are made expensive by exchange rate.”Mr. Daniel Ntege, owner of Textbook Centre, said that the government needs to help local publishers in order to make the books affordable to local consumers.“Customers expect low prices on the books…what do we do? Yet we get them expensive from suppliers. Government needs to help them to reduce costs,” Mr. Ntege said.
I found-out that majority of the bookshops owners in Kampala are paying their rent in dollars which is highly eating up their profits especially in times like now when the shilling has lost value against the dollar.Mrs. Kayae Milley, owner of City Valley bookshop said, “The business is seasonal…You pay rent in dollar and its even worse when dollar is strong than the shilling.”
Mr. Kibirige concurs with her but said that nothing can be done since the building are owned by private investors and also most of the city rent is paid in foreign currency.
The bookshops which mostly sell the academic books to individuals, schools, tertiary, and higher institutions of learning have recently gained from the changing perception of Ugandans of buying books not only to pass exams but for other benefits.
“The culture of reading is growing but it’s still low. People used to buy books for academic purpose but they are now realizing the benefits of reading’” Said Mr. Kibirige.
The business is seasonal and requires effort and concentration to earn profit. “You need to be there fulltime for your business to succeed,” He said.
The book selling business mostly record high sales during the beginning of terms as the schools are being opened.
Mr. Mugisha Pessy, New Compact bookshop owner said, “Mostly I sell books when school are opening; January to April …and of course the beginning of second and third term.”
The bookshop owners have been competition with street vendors on customers.
A bookshop owner whose name was held in his request says that street vendors should be removed from the streets since they pose serious danger to their business survival.
“They don’t pay rent, so they sell book cheaper…sometimes they display books in front of your door. Government needs to force them start their own shops,” He said.
Mr. Abdul Lubega owner of Kampala Central Bookshop agrees and said, “The government needs to find the street vendors a place to sell their books.”
A street vendor, Mr. David Munali said that they usually sell their books cheap since they don’t pay high rent and electricity like shop owners do. They also sell second hand books which they buy from customers who no longer need them.
“Evicting us is not the solution…Government should bring back licenses and stop local authority from harassing us,” Mr. Munali added.Mr. Joseph Waiswa, a street vendor who depends on the business for his upkeep said that, they face the problem of renting the space, weather changes and interference from authorities.
“The government should talk to land lord to reduce rent or get us a space to do our business,” Mr. Waiswa said.Aristoc Sales Stock Manager, says that the street vendors are not much of the problem to their business.“Whatever they sell they compare to, with our price; though some lie and end up charging customers high than our price,” He said.Miss Josephine Nakiyingi, Salesperson ITA LTD bookshop said, Street vendors are not a problem. In fact, they come and buy books in our shop if a customer demand and they don’t have.”Just like other business, book customers bargain for books despite the publishers fixing retail price.
Leonax Bookshop owner who has been in the business for over-20- years said that the customers are not willing to buy books at fixed price, their bargain even when the price is indicated.“Bargaining is like a culture in Uganda,” Mugisha said.Despite the challenges faced by sellers bookselling business is gaining popularity among the business men. “Book selling is a good business since you buy something knowing you will sell it and when it needed, ‘Says Mugisha’ but effort and concentrations are vital for this kind of business to be a success.”
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