By Leilah Bbaale
The government has finally resolved to introduce compulsory Swahili lessons at the primary and secondary school levels across the country. The 1995 constitution designated Kiswahili as Uganda’s second official language, behind English. Its advancement and application have, however, been modest.

Now, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of ICT and National guidance says that the cabinet resolved on Monday to make teaching Kiswahili compulsory at the basic levels of education to encourage the use of the language.

Dr. Baryomunisi adds that the move is also partly intended to implement the adaption of Kiswahili as an official language of the East African community in fulfillment of Article137 (2) of the East African Community treaty.

The said article states that Swahili shall be developed as a lingua franca of the community to support sustainable development and regional integration, although several member countries haven’t adhered to the provision.

The minister noted that opposition from sections of the public have in the past hindered the introduction of the language into classrooms due to the ugly history of Kiswahili in the country. In the past, many Ugandans, especially those who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, strongly opposed Kiswahili because they associated the language with death and destruction. To some, it was a language of thieves.

However, Baryomunsi says to benefit from the ongoing integration of the East African Community, there is a need to sensitize Ugandans that this language is important.

The introduction of compulsory Kiswahili lessons is not new. The idea first came up in the 1992 government white paper on the education policy review commission report. It was recommended that both Kiswahili and English be compulsory subjects throughout the primary cycle in both rural and urban schools.

The ministry of education introduced the language in the Uganda primary school curriculum in 2000 but all remained in ink as its teaching in school remained minimal. Over the years, its implementation became one of the speaking points of government officials.

In 2016, the then East African Affairs Minister, Shem Bageine said Swahili would be compulsory from primary to University level effective 2018 but this wasn’t possible because of the absence of a regulatory framework and resources.