Saturday, July 5, 2008
New Vision (Kampala)
BOOK REVIEW: 3 July 2008
Joshua Masinde: Kampala
Title: Footprints of The Outsider
Author: Julius Ocwinyo
Publisher: Fountain Publishers
THE opening of a cotton ginnery in Teboke village by two Indians sets off a series of events, one of which is the birth of Abudu Olwit. Olwit is born out of wedlock in a hut. Olwit's father who comes from Bugisu is one of the employees in the ginnery.
The Indians employ labour from other parts of the country, Sudan and the Congo. Olwit and his father are considered outsiders, just like the two Indians.
Olwit's father abandons him with his mother, Alicinora, a drunkard and irresponsible woman who does little for her son. In pursuit of a better future,
Olwit, who is considered as an illegitimate son of an outsider, struggles against the odds to get education.
However, after graduating from university, Olwit's life does not change much. He is not content with the occasional teaching jobs he gets.
He then asks a minister for a government job.
The minister frustrates him, but Olwit later lands himself a job as an assistant superintendent of prisons.
The minister becomes uncomfortable with Olwit's fame and he connives to imprison him. The book brings out the dirty side of politics.
Footprints of the Outsider is a historical and socio-political account of society. Much of the events reflect Uganda's political history from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Apart from its political backdrop, Footprints of the Outsider explores issues of family life, religion and cultural beliefs.
The novel is skilfully woven with wit, suspense, flashbacks, songs and conversations.
