Omubiri gwange

Name: Omubiri gwange
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

A free picture book in Luganda by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Cover of Omubiri gwange, a Luganda picture book

Omubiri gwange is a picture book in Luganda for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Luganda
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Rev Joseph M Katabaro
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Uganda
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Omubiri gwange is a short illustrated picture book in Luganda by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Rev Joseph M Katabaro. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Luganda. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 29 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Nsobola okudduka nagwo. Nsobola okubuuka nagwo. Nsobola okuzina nagwo. Nsobola okuwuga nagwo. Nsobola okubuuka omuguwa nagwo. Nsobola okugusambisa omupiira. Nsobola okubulawo nagwo. Naye sisobola kubuuka mu bbanga nagwo. Omubiri gwange — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY-NC 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Omubiri gwange” is also available in:

Reading together in Luganda

Read it aloud first, pointing at the pictures; then let your child “read” the pictures back to you.
Ask open questions: what happened, how did the character feel, what would you do?
Growing up with two languages? Talk about the story in whichever language feels easiest — the understanding carries over.

More free books in Luganda

See all 16 free Luganda books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Omubiri gwange” free to read?

Yes. “Omubiri gwange” is free to read online in Pagine on any phone, tablet or computer — no payment and nothing to download. It is openly licensed (CC BY-NC 3.0).

What language is “Omubiri gwange” in?

It is written in Luganda. Pagine has 16 free children’s books in Luganda.

What age is “Omubiri gwange” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Omubiri gwange” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Kiswahili, Kikamba, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Omubiri gwange”?

“Omubiri gwange” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Luganda translation is by Rev Joseph M Katabaro.

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Credits: Omubiri gwange — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Rev Joseph M Katabaro. Luganda, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1790). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026