Dr Spire Ssentongo launches new book, ‘What Died When We Lived’

On August 27, Dr Spire Ssentongo launched his latest book, What Died When We Lived: Essays on Governance, Society and Power in Uganda.

The book which touches is collection of Dr Ssentongo’s columns published in this newspaper, capture the collapse of society both at an individual level, and as a collective.

It captures the collapse of civil orders, morality and a complete inversion of the things we once cherished as upright for society.

But above all, this book is a criticism of the general sense of indifference on the part of many Ugandans – especially the educated folks – who have settled for self-preservation instead of standing up and advocating for a better society.

Held at the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), Makerere University’s School of Law, the host and director of HURIPEC, The Observer columnist, Dr Busingye Kabumba welcomed some prominent actors in public advocacy and activism.

These included Eng. Winnie Byanyima who gave the keynote address, and Bishop Zac Niringiye who discussed Byanyima’s address.

Among other guests included Prof. Hellen Nkabala, the director of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), and former Buganda Premier, Owek. Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, among many other dignitaries.

Published by editor house facility (ehf), the publisher, Dr Joseph Kasule noted that their house was proud of publishing Spire’s book.

“Books sometimes take too long to come out, and EHF is committed fast and quality publications.”

Dr Kasule added that the team at EHF is committed to radical Pan-Africanist thought and are doing books from across the African continent with upcoming titles coming from Zimbabwe, DRC, Kenya and the UK. Dr Ssentongo is book is available at MISR.