Museveni Urges Ugandans to Embrace Swahili for Commerce, Pledges 100 Million to Swahili Sacco

President  Museveni has called upon Ugandans to learn and embrace the Swahili language, recognising its critical role in facilitating trade and communication within the East African region.

Museveni made this appeal while presiding over the graduation of more than 340 Swahili Cadres at Kyambogo, an event that marked a significant step in the government’s efforts to promote Swahili as a national language and a medium of exchange.

He emphasised that the learning of Swahili will accelerate Uganda's integration into the East African Community (EAC), which is vital for smooth communication with regional partners such as Kenya and Tanzania, where Swahili is widely spoken.

By mastering Swahili, Ugandans can break the language barrier that often hampers cross-border trade and commerce. To support this cause, Museveni pledged 100 million Ugandan shillings towards a newly established Swahili Sacco, aimed at promoting further training and development of the language.

"Swahili is for All, Not a Single Tribe"

In his address, President Museveni dispelled the misconception that Swahili is associated with a single tribe, a myth that has made some Ugandans reluctant to embrace the language. He pointed out that Swahili is a unifying language, cutting across tribes, cultures, and nations in East Africa.

“Swahili is not a language of one tribe but of many people. It is a tool for communication and commerce, and we must master it to ease business and interaction within the region,” Museveni stated.

The president also challenged the Swahili graduates to continue advancing their knowledge by mastering its vocabulary and grammar. He acknowledged that developing the language further would require the adoption of new terms and concepts, especially in Uganda’s fast-evolving commercial environment.

Support from Government and Key Officials

NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, both applauded the president's initiative to promote Swahili. They echoed his sentiments, reinforcing the importance of learning the language to foster regional integration and ease communication across all classes of people.

Rebecca Kadaga, in her remarks, dismissed the fear that learning Swahili could erode the development of native languages, stating that this initiative would, in fact, enrich the country’s linguistic diversity. Kadaga affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that Ugandans from all walks of life have access to Swahili education.

Demand for More Swahili Teachers

While the graduation ceremony was a landmark achievement, Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor Eria Katunguka highlighted the ongoing need for Swahili teachers. He urged the government to recruit more instructors to meet the growing demand for Swahili education across Uganda. Katunguka also called on the president to assist in the construction of the university’s boundary, emphasising that Kyambogo's expansion was key to supporting future language training programs.

The Swahili training program at Kyambogo has flourished, but there remains a pressing need for further resources to ensure its smooth operation. The success of the first cohort of Swahili graduates sets a positive precedent, but to scale up, Katunguka noted that more infrastructure and personnel would be essential.

Looking Ahead

As Uganda moves towards deeper integration with its East African neighbours, the role of Swahili is increasingly seen as pivotal. With President Museveni's firm support and the establishment of the Swahili Sacco, the language is expected to grow in significance, both in everyday communication and in regional trade.

The Swahili Cadres graduation is a testament to the government’s commitment to promoting Swahili as a national language, which will empower Ugandans to communicate effectively and engage in commerce across East Africa’s borders.

The president’s pledge of 100 million shillings is set to boost these efforts, with more programs to be developed in the coming years to ensure that Uganda remains a key player in regional integration.