Footprints of the Outsider

Footprints of the Outsider is a novel by Ugandan author Julius Ocwinyo, published by Fountain Publishers in 2002.[1][2]

Footprints of the Outsider
AuthorJulius Ocwinyo
LanguageEnglish
PublisherFountain Publishers
Publication date
2002
Publication placeUganda
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages172
ISBN9789970023431
Preceded byFate of the Banished 
Followed byThe Unfulfilled Dream 

Plot

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Footprints of the Outsider is set in Teboke Village in the Apac district of Uganda. The only brick structure in the village is the ginnery at Teboke trading centre set up by two Indians, Hippos and Ramchand. It revolves around Abdul Olwit, whose mother, Alicinora is a prostitute. As he grows, Abdul suffers ridicule not only from his peers but from his mother. Despite odds being against him, he graduates from Makerere University with a bachelor's of arts degree in economics, and becomes a teacher.

Abdul, seeking to work in government, goes to Adoli Awal, the Teboke Member of Parliament, for help. But because Adwong, Abdul's uncle is Adoli's political enemy, the latter refuses. Abdul is later arrested when Adoli thinks he is eyeing his parliamentary seat. Abdul is released and contests for the parliamentary seat. The clashes that break out on one of the campaign rallies leave some people hurt and others dead. The book seeks to find the candidate who will become Teboke's next MP.[3]

Reception

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The book received four stars from The Independent[4]

Awards

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The novel won the Kinyara Award for best adult fiction (sponsored by the British Council) in 2004.[5] and was reviewed by AllAfrica.com.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Ivan Okuda (25 February 2012). "Fate has led Ocwinyo to top of literary world". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  2. ^ Simon Gikandi, Evan Mwangi (2013). The Columbia Guide to East African Literature in English Since 1945. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231500647. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  3. ^ Diane Ninsiima (8 April 2011). "Footprints of the Outsider (by Julius Ocwinyo)". Africa Book Club. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  4. ^ "BOOK REVIEW: Footprints of the Outsider". The Independent. January 31, 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Julius Ocwinyo on Writing and the State of Publishing in Africa". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  6. ^ Masinde, Joshua (July 3, 2008). "Uganda: Struggling to Succeed Against All Odds". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 15 August 2024.