Friendship
Reading is better together.
About · Powered by Uganda Bookshop
Reading culture, reimagined
Marafiki Book Club is powered by Uganda Bookshop, one of Uganda’s most trusted homes for books and reading culture since 1927.
Our Mission
To make reading social, meaningful, and accessible through friendship, conversation, and carefully chosen books.
Our Vision
A Kampala where every reader has a circle, every story finds a conversation, and books bring people home to each other.
Why a book club now?
For nearly a century, Uganda Bookshop has placed books in the hands of readers. A book read alone is only half its life — the other half lives in the conversations it sparks.
Marafiki means friends in Swahili. The club was built around a monthly rhythm: one shared book, weekly check-ins, and live conversations in Kampala and online. We care as much about who is in the room as what is on the page.
- Book pickup week — collect or order your copy through Uganda Bookshop.
- Week 1 check-in — first impressions with your circle.
- Mid-month deep discussion — themes, characters, and the week’s prompts.
- Closing reflections — share notes on the site; then the next title is revealed.
Community Values
Curiosity
We follow questions wherever they lead.
African voices
We center stories from the continent.
Respectful conversation
We disagree well and listen first.
Lifelong learning
Every book leaves us a little wiser.
Local literary culture
We grow Kampala’s reading life.
FAQ
Questions from new readers
Who is Marafiki for?
Anyone who wants to finish books in good company — students, working readers, parents, first-timers, and people returning to reading after a long gap. You do not need a literature background; curiosity and respect for other voices are enough.
What is a meeting like?
Circles usually run about 60–90 minutes. A host opens with the week’s focus, then the group moves through prompts from the current read. You can speak, listen, or share a short note later on the site. Disagreement is welcome when it stays kind.
How are books chosen?
The club follows one shared monthly pick, announced on the current read page and calendar. Circles lean into African fiction, faith and meaning, leadership, Ugandan authors, young readers, and classics — so the shelf stays wide without scattering the conversation.
What should I do the first time?
Apply on the join page, note your preferred circle and meeting format, then start (or skim) the current book. Arrive a few minutes early if you can. Bring the book, a question, or simply an open ear — hosts introduce newcomers.
Where do you meet?
In-person sessions are hosted with Uganda Bookshop in Kampala. Online options are available for the same monthly read. Exact venues and times appear on events and circle listings.
A home for readers, thinkers, and curious minds.
Powered by Uganda Bookshop. Built for readers who want company with the next chapter.
Become a Marafiki Member