1927 to 2027
100 years of Uganda Bookshop
On 14 May 2027 Uganda Bookshop turns 100. A century of books on Colville Street, and a year of reading to celebrate it.
Counting down to 14 May 2027, East Africa Time
207 days until Uganda Bookshop turns 100 on 14 May 2027.
Our story
A century on the shelves
- 1925
A Church Missionary Society printing press opens at Namirembe, printing religious books in Ugandan languages.
- 1927
Uganda Bookshop is incorporated on 14 May and opens its first shop in central Kampala.
- 1937
The shop's building on the corner of Colville Street is completed.
- 2027
14 May: one hundred years of bookselling, celebrated with readers across Uganda.
The centenary year
How we will celebrate
Marafiki 100 book clubs
Bigger and better reading circles, relaunched for the centenary, in Kampala and online.
See the launchThe centenary collection
A limited run of 1927 to 2027 T-shirts, totes, notebooks, mugs, pins and bookmarks.
See the collectionA century of reading
Books that shaped a hundred years of readers in Uganda, on our shelves and online.
Browse the shelvesCelebrate on Colville Street
Visit the shop that has stood on Colville Street for generations and mark the year with us.
Plan a visit
Limited edition
The centenary collection
Keepsakes for a hundred years of reading, made for the Marafiki 100 launch. Designs shown are concepts; items, prices and how to order are announced with the launch on the clubs' site.
Register interest