Kiswahili Made Compulsory and Examinable in Uganda’s Primary Schools

Why Kiswahili is the Future of the Ugandan Classroom

For decades, the sound of Kiswahili in Uganda was often associated with security sectors, cross-border trade, and regional communication. To many, it was viewed as a language belonging to particular groups rather than the entire nation. Today, that perception is rapidly changing. Uganda is witnessing a historic transformation in which Kiswahili is emerging as a unifying national language and a key bridge to regional and continental opportunities. This is not simply a change in the education timetable; it represents a major step toward strengthening national identity and regional integration.

The Constitutional Mandate: Our Legal Foundation

Uganda’s journey toward embracing Kiswahili is firmly grounded in the supreme law of the land. The 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, under Article 6(2), designates Kiswahili as the second official language of the country. This constitutional recognition reflects Uganda’s long-term vision of promoting unity and strengthening its connection to the East African Community.

The momentum toward implementing this constitutional provision gained significant strength in July 2022 when the Cabinet of Uganda, chaired by His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, issued a landmark directive. The Cabinet resolved that Kiswahili must become a compulsory and examinable subject in both primary and secondary schools. The directive went further to encourage adult training programs, recommending Kiswahili proficiency among Members of Parliament, Cabinet members, and media practitioners. This marked a turning point in Uganda’s commitment to fully operationalize Kiswahili as a national and regional language.

Alignment with Regional and Continental Development

Uganda’s strategic promotion of Kiswahili aligns with regional and global commitments. The country joins the international community in commemorating July 7th as the International Kiswahili Language Day, a recognition declared by UNESCO to celebrate the global importance of Kiswahili as a language of African unity and cultural heritage.

The regional commitment was further strengthened on November 30, 2024, when the 24th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State officially adopted Kiswahili and French as official languages of the East African Community. This development highlights the importance of Kiswahili in regional governance, trade, diplomacy, and employment. Proficiency in Kiswahili is increasingly becoming essential for Ugandans seeking opportunities within regional institutions and in the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which promotes African unity, development, and integration.

A Strong Academic Foundation

Uganda’s readiness to implement Kiswahili education is supported by a strong academic and training foundation. Kiswahili is already a compulsory subject in Lower Secondary Education, particularly in Senior One and Senior Two under the competency-based curriculum.

Additionally, the country benefits from a strong teaching workforce. Between 2014 and the restructuring of Primary Teachers’ Colleges, all graduating teachers received training in Kiswahili, creating a pool of over 68,000 trained educators. Higher education institutions such as Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Busitema University have also integrated Kiswahili into various professional courses. These institutions recognize Kiswahili as an essential skill for the modern labour market and regional engagement.

Visionary Leadership of Hon. Mama Janet Museveni

Uganda’s progress in promoting Kiswahili would not be complete without acknowledging the leadership of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Mama Janet Kataaha Museveni. Her leadership has played a central role in translating national policy into practical implementation.

Through her strong commitment to Human Capital Development, Mama Janet Museveni has consistently emphasized the importance of equipping learners with skills that prepare them for regional and global competitiveness. Under her leadership, the Ministry of Education and Sports has prioritized teacher retooling, curriculum reforms, and the distribution of learning materials to ensure that Kiswahili education reaches learners across the country. Her dedication reflects a commitment to ensuring that no Ugandan child is left behind in the country’s journey toward regional integration.

Technical Leadership at the National Curriculum Development Centre (Kiswahili primary Section Desk)

The successful implementation of Kiswahili education has been made possible through the technical expertise of the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC). Under the leadership of Dr. Grace Baguma, Director of NCDC, significant progress has been made in developing curriculum frameworks and instructional materials that meet national and international standards.

Working alongside her, Dr. Perpetua Arinaitwe, Senior Curriculum Specialist for Kiswahili, has played a critical role in supporting teachers and strengthening classroom delivery. Through teacher training programs and curriculum orientation workshops, she has helped equip hundreds of teachers with skills required to implement the competency-based Kiswahili curriculum effectively. Their combined efforts have transformed policy directives into practical classroom achievements.

Institutional and Regional Support

Uganda’s success in promoting Kiswahili is supported by strong collaboration among government institutions and regional bodies. The Ministry of East African Community Affairs (MEACA) has played a key role in coordinating Uganda’s regional language integration efforts, ensuring that national policies align with East African Community goals.

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) continues to provide legislative and policy support that strengthens Kiswahili as a regional working language. Their efforts contribute to harmonizing language policies across member states and promoting Kiswahili as a symbol of regional unity.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development also deserves recognition for promoting Kiswahili as a tool for social cohesion, community engagement, and workforce readiness, especially among youth and vulnerable groups.

Special appreciation is extended to the East African Kiswahili Commission (KAKAMA) for providing technical guidance and coordination in standardizing Kiswahili usage across the region. The Commission’s work ensures that Kiswahili continues to grow as a unifying language across East Africa.

Conclusion: A Language for Uganda’s Future

The growing adoption of Kiswahili in Uganda marks the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s education system and national development agenda. Kiswahili is no longer simply a regional language; it is becoming a powerful tool for national unity, economic opportunity, and African identity.

As Uganda continues to strengthen Kiswahili education, the country is positioning its citizens to actively participate in regional development, continental integration and global engagement. The collective efforts of government leaders, educational institutions, regional bodies and cultural advocates demonstrate that Kiswahili is not only the language of East Africa but also a language shaping Uganda’s future.