THE SECOND OPINION

By Elijah Khisa         

The state minister of culture Hon.Peace Mutuuzo has expressed concern that the country was not doing enough to ensure that Kiswahili was effectively operationalized as the second national language in Uganda as stated in the constitution.

Article 6 (2) of the Uganda Constitution (as amended in 2005) stipulates that “Kiswahili shall be the second official language in Uganda to be used in such circumstances as Parliament may by law prescribe.” Unfortunately, 9 years down the road, the Parliament of Uganda is yet to prescribe any policy guidelines for the operationalization of this important Article.

The shocking development came to light last when a high level delegation  led by the Chama Cha Kiswahili Cha Taifa Uganda [CHAKITAU] or Uganda National Kiswahili Association Chairperson Dr. Lubuka Yunusu paid a courtesy call on the minister to discuss and interest her with current status of the kiswahili language issues and seek her guidance and input.

The presentation to the minister was made by the Association secretary general Mukundane Benon who noted with concern that Uganda was not doing well in the use and development of Kiswahili like her old counterparts of Kenya and Tanzania which therefore calls for affirmative action to be undertaken as well as fast tracking mechanisms be initiated at both Community and State levels.

The members told the  minister among the East African community member states,  Uganda was not doing well with Kiswahili  as  the country has over 4,000 both  Diploma and Graduate teachers of Kiswahili  who are ready for deployment but have since remained redundant.

Article 6 (2) of the Uganda Constitution (as amended in 2005) stipulates that “Kiswahili shall be the second official language in Uganda to be used in such circumstances as Parliament may by law prescribe.” Unfortunately, 9 years down the road, the Parliament of Uganda is yet to prescribe any policy guidelines for the operationalization of this important Article.

CHAKITAU and its membership as serious stakeholders in Kiswahili matters in Uganda feel that to-date there are neither transparent processes nor tangible steps towards the formation of the Uganda National Kiswahili Council.

The Slow pace at which Kiswahili issues have been handled in Uganda has been worrying the Kiswahili Fraternity, lamented the members who noted that it is worth noting that countries like Rwanda that joined EAC recently have already declared the compulsory teaching of Kiswahili in schools.

 In the same vein, the new state of South Sudan which has only joined EAC has already designed a curriculum with Kiswahili as one of the compulsory subjects in all schools.

The leadership of CHAKITAU appealed to the minister to use her office and influence alongside her cordial relationships with the aligned ministries to equally legislate for enabling policies for the timely implementation of Kiswahili in Uganda to cope up with our counterparts in the community.

The minister said the mind set of citizens towards adapting Kiswahili remains a big challenge however pledged to take the matter to the house committee on culture to ensure that members of the Association are invited to interface with august house members.

She thanked the Association for taking time to visit her office and share that equally high profile document about the need to implement the operationalization of the Kiswahili language doctrine among its citizens for purposes of tapping into the business community in the region which largely speaks Kiswahili as medium of communication.  

The members said the country needs to be seen moving at the frontline in ensuring that all stakeholders are encouraged to play their role of sensitizing citizens about the embedded benefits of Kiswahili as not only a language of communication but for both  trade and professional education.