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Kiswahili is core in Africa's liberation struggle – Museveni
Brig Charles Kisembo (L) the Director NALI and Gen Edward Katumba Wamala shortly after the closure of the Kiswahili language retreat at NALI on July 25, 2024. PHOTO | DAN WANDERA
What you need to know:
- Gen Katumba Wamala urged the cadres to spread the language and help teach it to other Ugandans.
President Museveni has reiterated his commitment to promoting the Kiswahili language as a vital tool for African liberation and unity.
In a message delivered by Works Minister Gen Edward Katumba Wamala to over 300 NRM party cadres who attended a 2-week Kiswahili language retreat in Kyankwanzi, Mr Museveni emphasized that Kiswahili is an essential component of Africa's revolutionary struggles.
"Africa can only survive and develop into a strong united entity if we forge a common language as a formidable uniting factor for every Nation, People, and Race," Museveni said.
Gen Katumba Wamala urged the cadres to spread the language and help teach it to other Ugandans. "You are not only learning the Kiswahili language but have been grounded in ideology and patriotism as Pan-Africans," he said.
“The NRM party Secretariat has initiated Kiswahili language classes, open to all interested Ugandans. The leadership at the NRM party led by President Museveni has a great love for Uganda's future, and they are supporting the Kiswahili language teaching,” the NRM National Coordinator, Mr Stephen Bwire said.
Veteran journalist Michael Alereng attributed the slow pace of Kiswahili adoption to historical factors and lack of mindset strategy.
"Some of our people originally believed that the Kiswahili language was meant for people harbouring ill intentions against others and possibly the security forces. We need more mindset lessons for the Kiswahili lessons," he said.
To integrate Kiswahili into communities, it has been included in the post-Primary education curriculum, and plans are underway to extend teaching classes to the districts level. The NRM Secretariat conducts Kiswahili classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and officials plan to make them more accessible by extending them to district workers.
