Parliament’s Committee on East African Community (EAC) Affairs has called for the approval of Shs3.2Bn for the integration of Kiswahili Language activities in Uganda.
Noeline Kisembo (Kibaale District Woman MP), the Chairperson of the Parliament’s Committee on EAC Affairs argued that although efforts have been made to integrate Kiswahili language in Uganda, in FY 2024/25, the activity remains unfunded with a funding requirement of Shs3.25Bn.
“For purposes of deepening and widening the integration in the region, Kiswahili language should be popularized as a way of integrating and unifying communities. The Committee recommends that Shs3.25Bn be provided to the Ministry to enable the Ministry fast-track the 27th EAC Summit Directive to implement the activities under Kiswahili integration,” Kisembo said.
The Judiciary and Cabinet are conducting Kiswahili training sessions, and for that matter, Naome Kibaaju (Sheema North MP) has asked Parliament to provide Kiswahili lessons to MPs in order to foster the EAC integration.
“As leaders here, if we intend to start using Kiswahili in our Parliament, we need classes in Kiswahili to begin. Understand there are some lessons taking place at the NRM Secretariat, but that is congested and not conducive for learning. I wish we could have it in one of our rooms here at Parliament,” she noted.
Peter Okeyoh (Bukooli Island MP) notes that Kiswahili is not one of the compulsory languages in our education system. "Why do we preach about water and take wine? Let us lead by example. Let us prioritize Kiswahili as one of the languages in our schools. This will help cement the East African Community."