Advocating for LIS

 

ULIA is committed to raising the profile and strengthening the voice of the Library and Information Science profession in Uganda. We champion policies, initiatives, and partnerships that recognize the essential role of information professionals in education, research, culture, and national development.

Through advocacy, we:

  • Promote professional recognition – engaging with government, academia, and stakeholders to ensure LIS professionals are valued and included in policy frameworks.
  • Influence policy and legislation – contributing to discussions on information access, copyright, open knowledge, digital literacy, and preservation of cultural heritage.
  • Protect professional interests – working to improve working conditions, employment opportunities, and career growth for LIS practitioners.
  • Raise public awareness – highlighting the vital role of libraries and information services in advancing literacy, lifelong learning, and sustainable development.
  • Build partnerships – collaborating with regional and international LIS associations to amplify the voice of Ugandan professionals globally.

Our advocacy ensures that libraries, archives, documentation centers, and other information institutions remain central to Uganda’s knowledge economy and community empowerment.

 Professional Standards & Regulation Services

  • Professional Accreditation & Certification
    • Accreditation of librarians and information professionals
    • Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points system
  • Library Standards Development
    • National standards for school, public, academic, medical, and special libraries
  • Ethics & Professional Conduct Oversight
    • Code of ethics enforcement
    • Professional mediation and advisory services

 

 Research, Knowledge Production & Publishing

  • National Library & Information Research Program
    • Support practitioner-led research
    • Research grants and calls for papers
  • ULIA Journal / Proceedings
    • Peer-reviewed journal
    • Conference proceedings and policy briefs
  • Research Data & Evidence Hub
    • National statistics on libraries and information access

 

3. Digital Transformation & Innovation Services

  • Library Digitization & Automation Support
    • Advisory on DSpace, Koha, institutional repositories
  • AI & Emerging Technologies in Libraries
    • AI literacy programs for librarians
    • Responsible AI guidelines for information services
  • Digital Preservation & Open Access Support
    • Institutional open access policies
    • Digital heritage preservation

 

4. Capacity Building for Institutions (Not Just Individuals)

  • Library Institutional Strengthening
    • Needs assessments
    • Strategic planning support
  • Library Setup & Modernization Advisory
    • New library establishment guidance
    • School and community library models
  • Leadership & Management Development
    • Training for library heads and directors

 

5. Advocacy, Rights & Public Interest Services

Right to Information (RTI) Advocacy

  • Support libraries as access-to-information hubs
  • Information Literacy & Media Literacy Campaigns
    • Combat misinformation and disinformation
  • Copyright, Licensing & Fair Use Advisory
    • Guidance for libraries and educators

 

6. Community & Inclusive Library Services

  • Community Libraries & Reading Culture Promotion
    • Reading campaigns
    • Mobile and rural library initiatives
  • Inclusive & Accessible Library Services
    • Services for persons with disabilities
    • Gender-responsive library services
  • Health, Agricultural & Legal Information Outreach
    • Libraries as community information centers

 

7. Youth, Students & Early-Career Support

Student Chapters & Mentorship Programs

Internship & Attachment Placement Support

Career Guidance & Skills Pathways

Young Professionals Network

 

8. Partnerships, Consultancy-Lite & Revenue-Generating Services

Technical Advisory Services

Project Implementation Partnerships

Grant & Proposal Collaboration

Monitoring & Evaluation for Library Projects

 

9. National & International Representation

Representation in National Policy Forums

Affiliation with IFLA, AfLIA, UNESCO Programs

Cross-Border Knowledge Exchange

Study Tours & Professional Exchanges

10. Knowledge Products & Resources

Guidelines, Toolkits & Templates

Policy Briefs & Position Papers

Best-Practice Case Studies from Uganda

Open Educational Resources (OERs)