The Ugandan government has proposed establishing a Kiswahili Council to promote the use of the language throughout the nation.
This was announced on Wednesday, February 28, 2023, during a plenary session where Hon. Hellen Asamo, State Minister for Gender (Disability Affairs), gave the first reading of the Uganda National Kiswahili Council Bill, 2023.
According to Article 6(2) of the Ugandan Constitution, Kiswahili shall be progressively introduced as the second official language of Uganda.
This promotes cooperation and coordination among East African Community (EAC) member states in matters relating to the Kiswahili language since it is supposed to be the East African language, according to the minister.
Asamo further said that the proposed Kiswahili Council will play a crucial role in achieving and promoting the use of Kiswahili at all levels of society.
This includes encouraging its use in educational institutions, government offices, and everyday life.
Overseeing the use of Kiswahili in judicial, administrative, and legislative processes will ensure that Kiswahili is gradually integrated into these important areas, Asamo said.
The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has requested that the bill be reviewed by the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Gender, Labor, and Social Development and is expected to report back to Parliament within 45 days.
The establishment of a Kiswahili Council is an important step towards promoting the language in Uganda. If the bill is passed, the Council will play a key role in ensuring that Kiswahili becomes a more widely used language throughout the country.