Remembering the Future: Reflections on Ugandan Culture in Changing Times

by Christopher Conte (Editor)

Get ready to be transported to a time before colonialism and globalization disrupted the African way of life.



For more than a century, “experts” from outside of Africa – colonial rulers, aid organizations, western media and world travelers – have labeled African society “underdeveloped” and declared African culture a barrier to “modernization.” But in this book, a group of prominent Ugandan writers challenge that narrative.



In conversations with traditional healers, church leaders, farmers, urban migrants, and characters as varied as a rap artist, a film maker, a psychiatrist, and others, the authors collect tales of the tragedy and triumph, and of spiritual crises and moral victories in postcolonial Africa. But in the memories of elders, they hear echoes of a society that worked well, and they rediscover ideals that sustained African civilizations for A commitment to family, to putting the good of all ahead of self-advancement, to moral character in dealings with others, and to human freedom.



By delving into the past, these African stories offer hope of a better future – not only for Africans, but for people everywhere. Timothy Wangusa, a distinguished Ugandan novelist, poet and educator, calls this anthology of true stories, memoirs and social criticism "the most outstanding book that Uganda has yet mothered."

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2023

Reviews

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many childhood memories. Nostalgic

[Tove R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of stories about how the culture in Uganda has changed in recent years. The western impact on life and culture has been very strong, and many old traditions have become less and less important to urban people. It is nice to read these stories, because the people who gets heard in these stories have seen how things have changed very fast, too fast. It was really nice to hear about the old traditions and values.

I enjoyed this collection of stories, and it was interesting to read since I have just visited Uganda, and this strengthened my views in many ways. An important book for people in Uganda to understand and see how much and how fast life is changing. Is it for the better or for worse?

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did not agree with all of the authors' viewpoints, particularly the ones who seemed to think that the problem with society is women wanting equality, overall this was a good read. Most of the authors wrote entertaining articles. I get that the idea was kind of comparing the way things used to be how they are now in Uganda. This book did really make me want to travel to Uganda, because most of the writers made it sound so beautiful. Not all of the articles harbored internalized misogyny, but those that did were a little off putting. I did appreciate how the authors gave reasoning behind their beliefs. Overall I enjoyed most of these essays. I give it a 3.5 (rounded up to a 4) for being an insightful read.