Professor Abasi kiyimba has made a landmark in African literature by translating the famous Song Of Lawino into a Luganda version titled Omulanga Gwa Lawino, a version that was launched on Friday from Makerere Main hall.

Speaking at the celebration of Song of Lawino at 50, and the launching of the translated version, a fucntion that was organised by the department of literature, Osteen Mwalimu Bukenya, speaking on behalf of Professor Abasi who was absent because of illness, said that the poem connects different cultures and reflects African culture before and after colonisation. “This poem provokes us to think about our cultural practices.” Bukenya said.

He added that Okot P Bitek, the first writer of Song of Lawino in Acholi, and Prof Abasi Kiyimba, have played key roles that are to keep poetry in existence.

In the same way, novelist Simon Gikandi, a Professor of English at Princeton University, hailed the author of the work, saying that it influences and positively impoacts on all the African cultures.

He said: “Okot P Bitek aimed at making Song of Lawino a world edition to enter other language translations endlessly, and this book has crossed from being a school book to other communities.”

The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Ddumba Ssentamu said that Okot is Makerere's greatest poet, thinker and writer who carried a touch of African culture that it's rebirth lights brighter with such works of professor Abasi Kiyimba.

Dr. Aaron Mushengyezi the Dean of school of languages, literature and communication said that the department has put literature at the forefront and Makerere has played its part.

He said: “As we celebrate song of lawino, we should check ourselves as a continent and see if issues reflected in that book are observed. Omulanga gwa lawino is a luganda translation of song of lawino 1966 by Okot P Bitek. This book has been translated from Acholi into more than 30 languages, English, Swahili, French, Spanish, and man