Uganda Bookshop · 1927 to 2027
Marafiki 100
One hundred years of Uganda Bookshop deserves bigger and better book clubs. Marafiki 100 relaunches our reading community for the centenary, with new circles, new places to meet and a reading list that spans a century.
Counting down to 14 May 2027, East Africa Time
207 days until Uganda Bookshop turns 100 on 14 May 2027.
Bigger circles. Better conversations.
Everything that makes Marafiki good, made bigger for a hundred years of reading.
100 Books for 100 Years
A shared reading list of one hundred books, chosen with members, that walks through a century of stories from Uganda, Africa and the world.
New centenary circles
Fresh circles for Ugandan classics, East African history, and poetry and oral tradition, alongside the six circles you already know.
Chapters beyond Kampala
Reading circles in more towns and a stronger online chapter, with trained hosts supported by the Uganda Bookshop team.
Schools and campus circles
Circles for young readers in schools and universities, so the next hundred years of readers start now.
Centenary evenings
Monthly author conversations, readings and tea gatherings at the shop on Colville Street and online.
Founding members of Marafiki 100
Readers who join for the launch are recognised as founding members of the relaunched clubs.
From countdown to centenary
- Now
The countdown
Sign up for launch news, join a circle today and help choose the 100 Books for 100 Years list.
- 14 May 2027
Marafiki 100 launches
Uganda Bookshop turns 100, exactly a century after its incorporation on 14 May 1927. New circles, the reading list and the centenary collection go live.
- Through 2027
A year of reading together
Centenary evenings, new chapters and school circles, month by month across the year.
The centenary collection
Keepsakes for a hundred years of reading, made for the Marafiki 100 launch.
- Centenary T-shirt. Forest green cotton with the 1927 to 2027 emblem.
- Canvas tote. Natural canvas, big enough for the month’s read.
- Clothbound notebook. Terracotta cover for reading notes and quotes.
- Reading mug. Cream ceramic, for the tea that keeps the circle going.
- Enamel pin. Gold and green, for bags, jackets and lanyards.
- Leather bookmark. Ochre leather, stamped with the centenary emblem.
Designs shown are concepts. Prices and ordering are announced at launch. The member tag and bookmark stay included with membership.
Tell me when it launchesA hundred years of books.
A new chapter of friends.
Join a circle now and you will be part of Marafiki 100 from day one.
Become a Marafiki member