Wikimedia writers, tasked with documenting Uganda’s content on Wikipedia, are facing a challenge of shortage of credible sources.
This issue has raised concerns over how much of Uganda’s rich history and cultural heritage is left undocumented and underrepresented on the global stage.
During the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Wikimedia Uganda User Group at Nawab Restaurant in Bugolobi recently, Wikimedia executive director Geoffrey Kateregga highlighted the struggle to find reliable sources that meet Wikipedia’s stringent citation requirements.
He emphasized that much of Uganda’s local knowledge remains inaccessible to a global audience because of this challenge.
“We often identify notable individuals or events in Uganda that warrant inclusion on Wikipedia. However, the lack of media coverage or documentation from recognized platforms means that our contributions are rejected or flagged for not meeting Wikipedia’s standards,” Kateregga explained.
The issue is further complicated by the fact that even some of Uganda’s prominent figures, such as the Inhebantu of Busoga, have limited or no online presence in credible sources, making it difficult for Wikimedia writers to create verified content about them, Kateregga noted.
Kateregga called for greater collaboration with local institutions, media houses, and the government to ensure that significant Ugandan content is adequately documented and made available for Wikipedia.
Erina Mukuta Muhame, Wikimedia’s education lead content writer, also stressed the importance of credible documentation.
She noted that even when attempting to write about Members of Parliament, who have been in office for years, the absence of detailed, credible sources often leads to the rejection of these works due to perceived lack of notability.
“We need to diversify the content covered by Ugandan media so that notable topics and individuals can be documented,” Mukuta urged. “Without this initial documentation, we are unable to create a lasting record for future generations.”
Mukuta also pointed out that mainstream media plays a crucial role in ensuring that Uganda’s history and notable individuals are recorded. Without this, efforts to document these figures on Wikipedia face significant hurdles.
As Wikimedia Uganda continues to promote the growth of Wikipedia content from Uganda, the group is advocating for broader media coverage of local topics. This would not only help Wikimedia writers but also ensure that Uganda’s history and culture are accessible to a global audience.
About Wikimedia
The Wikimedia Uganda user group is a collective of volunteers dedicated to promoting the use and growth of Wikimedia projects in Uganda. The Wikimedia Uganda user group is part of a wider global network of Wikimedia user groups, all working towards the common goal of disseminating free knowledge.
