Uganda will host the East African Kiswahili language day from 06 to 07 July 2023, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga has revealed.
The event will be hosted under the theme, ‘Kiswahili and Multilingualism: Achieving more together’.
“This year’s theme demonstrates that as Kiswahili grows and spreads across the world, it will continue encountering other languages which stand to achieve more together than they can gain alone,” Kadaga said while presenting a brief to Parliament on Tuesday.
“The event will promote the use of Kiswahili as an official language in Uganda including creating awareness about the East African Community,” said Kadaga.
She added that the event provides a platform for sharing experiences and insights on contemporary issues on Kiswahili.
“The event is intended to bring together East Africans to discuss ways and means of developing and promoting Kiswahili for regional integration and sustainable development,” Kadaga added.
The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa said that Parliament is considering developing strategies on adopting Kiswahili lessons for Members of Parliament (MPs).
“A local language is very important. It is important for us to embrace Kiswahili so that we have one local language,” Tayebwa said.
Tororo North County MP, Hon. Geoffrey Ekanya proposed that Parliament should dedicate one day of the week for MPs to hold plenary in Kiswahili.
“This will make it mandatory for all and it will ensure that even our voters learn Kiswahili,” Ekanya said.
Hon. Patrick Oshabe (NUP, Kasanda County North) who is also one of the representatives at the Pan African Parliament (PAP) said that the regional Parliament is looking forward to a time when African countries adopt use of local languages.
