The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda recognises 65 first nations of Uganda, which it refers to as “tribes”; and each of them have a language. However, none of our languages is recognised as an official language of our country, Ugandan.
English, the language of those who colonised the territory now known as Uganda, is recognised as the only official language of our country, Uganda.
Download “Uganda’s Official Language is English,” in which I describe how this legacy of colonialism has significant negative impact on our country’s policy arena and the day-to-day lives of Ugandans. It is a short easy read, about 15 minutes.
I am of the view that English being the only official language of Uganda is an anomaly long overdue fixing. I advocate for the languages of first nations of Uganda should be among official languages of Uganda. Uganda should emulate South Africa which has eleven official languages, the majority being of the first nations of South Africa. Would love to read you feedback. Leave a comment and or question. And let us engage.
nowaraga.com 
9 responses to “English should not be only official language of Uganda”
I have often thought that my Mom’s driver, Lau, is one of the most literate human beings I have ever met, although he can hardly speak English; however, he is able to express very complex ideas and concepts in his native language, and has often given me a lesson or two about my own surroundings, which the English language cannot capture.
So how much do we lose by wholeheartedly embracing and promoting this foreign language?
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I have often thought that my Mom’s driver, Lau, is one of the most literate human beings I have ever met, although he can hardly speak English; however, he is able to express very complex ideas and concepts in his native language, and has often given me a lesson or two about my own surroundings, which the English language cannot capture.
So how much do we lose by wholeheartedly embracing and promoting this foreign language?
LikeLike
[…] None of the languages of our first nations, for example, are an official language of Uganda the nation-state! English is the official language of Uganda. […]
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[…] There was a time when all you needed to succeed in Uganda was the ability to read and write English. English is the official language of Uganda. […]
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[…] sustaining legacy of colonialism is that English is the official language of Uganda and not the languages of its first nations. For this reason, indeed, many Ugandans are bi-lingual […]
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[…] of Uganda, which it refers to as “tribes”; and each of these 55 first nations have a language (read more here). However, none of our languages are recognised as an official language of our country, Uganda. […]
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[…] of Uganda, which it refers to as “tribes”; and each of these 55 first nations have a language (read more here). However, none of our languages are recognised as an official language of our country, Uganda. […]
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