Prof. Laban Erapu Omella

1. PhD in English, Rhodes University in South Africa, 1993. Thesis on the Later Writings of Ngugi wa Thiong’o.
2. MLitt in English. Edinburgh University, 1971. Course in Afro-Caribbean Literature, thesis on V.S. Naipaul.
3. BA (Honours) in Literature, Makerere, University of East Africa, 1969.

Major Publications

1. Angels Never Die, a novel, Approved by NCDC for O-Level and A-Level, 2020-2025
2. Heartfelt Poems, a poetry collection, Approved by NCDC for All Levels, 2020-2025
3. REDEMPTION: Itama and His Arrow of Fate, Drama, NCDC Approved for O & A Levels, 2020-2025
4. Batanda Bezaala, Drama, NCDC Approved for O & A Levels, 2020-2025
5. RUGOME The Rebel of Karagwe, Drama, NCDC Approved for O & A Levels, 2020-2025
6. HEROES OF LEGEND: An Anthology of Plays from the Cradle of the Nile, Millennium Press, 2019
7. DOMINION, a novel on the new age Africa, end of the 21^st Century, published by Xlibris  (USA) in June 2015 (372pp)
8. KHAYALETHU: The Promised Land, an epic historical novel (376p). Vaal University Press, Johannesburg, 2005
9. The Road to Valhalla, a crime novel which takes the protagonists across continents from Africa to the Americas and Europe, 2012
10. Mawe Mawe: a novel and screen script in preparation for publication and film production in 2018.
11. SHARED LIVES Book 1: Angels Never Die (144p). Global Press, Kampala, 2004
12. SHARED LIVES Book 2:  God’s Gift to Women (104p). Global Press, Kampala, 2004
13. SHARED LIVES Book 3: Joy to the World (88p). Global Press, Kampala, 2004
14. SHARED LIVES Book 4: My Brothers’ Keeper (120p). Global Press, Kampala, 2004.
15. Angels Never Die, Pathfinders Series, No. 24, East African Educational Publishers, 2010
16. Queen of Gems, a novel, Heinemann, Spear Books Series, Nairobi. 1978
17. Restless Feet, a novel, Oxford University Press, Nairobi, 1969.

1. Readers for HIV/Aids Education Books 1-12, short stories & plays (forthcoming):

• Book 1: Myths and Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS
• Book 2: The Spread of HIV/AIDS
• Book 3: African Culture and Traditions in Relation to HIV/AIDS
• Book 4: Ethical, Moral and Religious Values in Relation to HIV/AIDS
• Book 5: Care and Support for the Affected and Infected with HIV/AIDS
• Book 6: Risky Behavior and Peer Pressure on HIV/AIDS
• Book 7: Social and Economic Effects of HIV/AIDS
• Book 8: The Prevention of HIV/AIDS
• Book 9: Care and Positive Living with HIV/AIDS
• Book 10: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: A Play on HIV/AIDS
• Book 11: Stigma and Discrimination on HIV/AIDS
• Book 12: Achieving Your Goals in an Environment of HIV/AIDS

2. Sunrise Readers Series, East African Educational Publishers, short stories & plays for Primary Schools (forthcoming):

• Kajoogo
• Epuko’s Secret Home
• Sula Rides on Cloud Nine
• Chele the Champion Runner
• Jamila and the Gift of Healing
• The Scapegoat
• The Heir Apparent (Drama)
• Storm in a Teacup
• Charity for Punishment

3. Abridged Classics Series, East African Educational Publishers, (forthcoming)

• Gulliver’s Travels
• Afia na Firimon (based on Baucis and Philemon)
• Binadamu na Scelista (based on Admetus and Alcestis)
• Jua na Mwezi (based on Apollo and Daphne)
• Lagend of the Lost Kingdom (based on Romulus and Remus)
• Mpenzi na Mrembo (based on Venus and Adonis)
• The Man with the Golden Touch (based on Midas and the Golden Touch)

4. Heartfelt Poems, a collection of poetry written over 30 years, (forthcoming)

5. Notes on Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City, Study Guide, Heinemann, 1978

6. Notes on John Ruganda’s The Burdens, Study Guide, Heinemann, Nairobi, 1977

7. Notes on Wole Soyinka’s Lion and the Jewel, Study Guide, Heinemann, 1976

8. Notes on VS Naipaul’s Miguel Street, Study Guide, Heinemann, Nairobi, 1976

9. A Study Guide on Itama and his Arrow of Fate, Millennium Press, 2019

10. “Introduction to V.S. Naipaul’s MIGUEL STREET”, commissioned for the new edition of the novel, Caribbean Writers Series, No. 14, Heinemann, 1974.

11. “Humanizing the South African Universities”: a paper for a planned Symposium on the changing landscape of Higher Education in South Africa, published in Sediba sa Thuto: Academic Journal of Vaal University of Technology, Rosemary Townsend Ed), 2005.

12. “The Theme of Accommodation and the Quest for Identity in the Novels of V.S Naipaul”, an unpublished thesis for the Masters of Letters Degree at Edinburgh University, recommended for a distinction, 1971.

13. “Fable and Fantasy as Elements of Narrative Structure in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s DEVIL ON THE CROSS”, a paper from the PhD research, presented at the 1991 AUESTA Conference in Fort Hare and published in the Conference Report.

14. “Politics of Theatre: The East African Experience”, a paper from PhD thesis, presented at the 1994 AUESTA Conference hosted by the English Department, University of Transkei, at the Haven, Wild Coast and Published in the Conference Report.

15. “STEPPING OUT: The Empowerment of Women Characters in Ngugi’s Later Writings”, a paper originally presented at the 1997 ALASA Conference hosted by the Department of African Languages at the University of Natal in Durban.

16. “Symbolic Dimensions in Okot p’Bitek’s SONG OF LAWINO”, a paper presented at a 1997 Symposium on Okot p’Bitek, hosted by the English Department, University of Transkei.

17. NGUGI WA THIONG’O: Towards a people’s Literature, a study of the new developments Ngugi’s Later Writings, originally presented for a Doctoral thesis at Rhodes University (forthcoming)

18. A Poetry Course for Students, (Secondary & Tertiary Level, with Teachers companion), East African Educational Publishers (forthcoming).

19. LAWINO: A Woman in Her Prime: a film script adapted from Okot p’Bitek’s Song of Lawino.

• Recently appointed as Founding Chairman, National Literary Association in Uganda.
• Currently serving as Professor of English as well as Academic and Publishing Consultant at Bishop Stuart University, P.O. Box 9, Mbarara-Uganda from August 2021.
• Served as Ag Vice Chancellor and Member of Council at the Great Lakes Regional University in Kanungu from April 2017 to January 2018.
• Managing Director/Chairman Designate – Black Pearl Productions Ltd, a new Film-making company.
• Professor, Literature and Languages Department, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara-Uganda, since 2010.

– Member of the University Council

– Member of Senate

– Member of Council Board of Finance

– Chairperson of Senate Appointments and Promotions Committee

– Chairperson of Senate Library Committee.

• External Examiner, Literature Department, Kyambogo University, Kampala-Uganda, 2013
• Director – East African Publishers (Uganda), with effect from April 2011.
• Professor of Literature, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara, since April 2010
• East African Educational Publishers. Independent Publishing Consultant since March 2009.
• Vaal University of Technology. HoD: Corp Communications (2001-2004). Publisher: Vaal University Press (2005-2006)
• University of Transkei. HoD: English Department, Butterworth (1989-98).
• Heinemann Educational Books. Publishing Manager/Director (1976-1989).
• Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Department of English (1974-1976).
• Makerere University, Kampala, Department of Literature (1971-1974).