DAR ES SALAAM, July 8 (Xinhua) — Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has emphasized the significance of Kiswahili (Swahili language) in fostering a sense of East Africanness and unity towards the goal of integrated East Africa.
In a late Friday statement issued by the East African Community (EAC) headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, Nabbanja made this statement during the 2nd World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations, where she represented President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
Nabbanja highlighted the ethnic and linguistic diversity within the East African region, with 56 tribes in Uganda, 42 in Kenya, and over 120 in Tanzania. She emphasized that Kiswahili would play a crucial role in establishing a common sense of identity for all East Africans.
“As a part of the East African Community, it is essential that we create a shared sense of identity within our linguistically diverse society and promote unity among East Africans,” said Nabbanja.
She further added, “In order for Uganda to seamlessly integrate into the EAC, it must recognize the pivotal role of Kiswahili in advancing the regional integration agenda for sustainable development.”
Kiswahili, widely spoken in the Eastern African region, has been gaining increased recognition throughout the African continent in recent years.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
