Is Kiswahili The Missing Link In Uganda's Quest For Unity And Development?

Kiswahili, also known as Swahili is the most spoken language in Africa. The language which originated from East Africa has now spread to more than 14 countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Comoros and as far as other countries in Middle East like Oman. Kiswahili which covers over 10 main dialects is now spoken by about three hundred million people. 

United Nation recognised Kiswahili and resolved to put aside 7th July Every year as World Kiswahili Day, and this year's theme of celebration was; "Kiswahili for peace and prosperity" The mission for the Annual Celebration is to promote the use of Kiswahili language as a beacon for unity, peace and multiculturalism. African Union (AU) adopted Kiswahili as the continent's official language in February 2022 because it is the most spoken language on the continent. 

Uganda which is one of the pioneer members of East Africa Community on Monday 4th July 2022 adopted Kiswahili as an official language, this follows a directive by the 21th East African Community Summit stating that the language should be adopted as the official language of the community, and by this, Uganda now has English and Kiswahili as her official languages. This was overdue since EAC had adopted Kiswahili way back in 2017 as its official language. In 2005 Kiswahili was proposed as Uganda's official language though it was taught as an optional subject in secondary schools since 2017.  In July 4th 2022 Cabinet has directed that Kiswahili should be taught in both primary and secondary schools as a compulsory subject. There will also be training programs for parliament, cabinet, media and others. This solid move clearly indicates that learning Kiswahili and its subsequent use is key for Uganda as a country.

The economic status of Uganda's economy pertaining to whether it has attained middle income economy or not remains a paradox as World Bank figures indicates that Uganda is still a little far away from middle income economy, meanwhile the president of Uganda refutes their index saying Uganda can not rely on parameters used by world bank. Tracing back to 1907, Winston Churchill's trip to Uganda and his eventual publishing of a book entitled "My African Journey" called Uganda "the Pearl of Africa"  and looking at all these together with the current status of the country's economy definitely poses questions; Is Kiswahili the missing link?

What will happen exceptionally when all Ugandans embrace Kiswahili?

Economic integration is one of the core targets of East African Community. The block  believes that integration of the economies of East African countries will scale up regional production and enhance the region much more larger global market. Kiswahili will integrate Ugandans with over 150 indigenous groups in Kenya and Tanzania since they embraced the language much earlier, thus It is very vital for Uganda to effectively and efficiently implement the use of Kiswahili language.

Uganda has one of the youngest population in the world with thousands reaching working ages every hour. Kiswahili is looked at as a medium that will link this young Ugandans to the rest of other East Africans, with jobs and other contracts opportunities. NRM party holds nationalism as one of its core principles. Nationalism helps citizens to uphold the interest of the nation at the expense of individual and tribal interest. In the spirit of PanAfricanism, Ugandans through a common language will easily appreciate the fact that all Africans have common interest thus arousing strong spirit of unity.

Since not all Ugandans can manage to stay in schools and finish their studies or at least stay at schools to a level that puts them in position to learn English, that can make them ably speak and write English language well, not forgetting the fact that over 60% of Ugandans can not express themselves in English, cabinet of Uganda resolved to adopt Kiswahili and direct Ministry of Education to have Kiswahili taught in both primary and secondary schools as a compulsory subject with targets of bridging communication gaps among Ugandans.

Neocolonialism is of the biggest hindrances of development in Uganda and Africa as a whole. Kiswahili will unite Ugandans together with other Africans to appreciate African heritage and technology which in turn will foster development in this country.

It is obvious that Kiswahili language is the link that the country needs to expedite her growth, development and integration with the rest of Africans hence the government of Uganda should not only start with having training programs for cabinet, parliament, schools and media only, but as well extend down at grass root level, be it subcounty, parish and village level.

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