Prepared for the Arts and Culture Reporting Symposium at ACME

June 2016
By Pamela Batenga
0772696647
pbatenga71@gmail.com

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Presentation Outline
Define language
Characteristics of language
Situation analysis of Ugandan languages ( The good

news and the danger signs- the gains and challenges)

Why our languages are important
What the media should do to promote and Preserve
Ugandan Languages
What can you do/ are you going to do?
Important contacts
Credit to ACME

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Definition of Language
Method of human communication, either spoken or

written, consisting of the use of words in a structural

and conventional way (Google definition).
System of communication used by a particular
community or country (Google definition).
A system of communication consisting of sounds,
words and grammar (Cambridge English Dictionary).
System of communication used by a particular
country or type of work (Cambridge English
Dictionary).
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Characteristics of Language
can be born;
can grow;

can borrow from other languages

can be learned;
can die;

a vehicle for culture;

an identity matter;

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Situation of Ugandan Languages

Good News
Uganda has 65 tribes (3rd schedule of the Constitution
of Uganda) and therefore 65 languages -( some
languages are dialects of other??);
The Ugandan Constitution provides for the
promotion of culture and therefore language;
the thematic curriculum that was birthed in 2007
directs that children should be instructed in the
mother-tongue from Primary 1- Primary 4, a lot of
literature developed, we have panels of authentic
writers;
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Situation Cont
Good News
The Uganda National Culture Policy of 2006
prioritizes the promotion and development of
languages and literary arts, has a project on
documenting intangible cultural heritage in
indigenous languages;
The traditional cultural institutions are promoting and
preserving their particular languages- Literature,
competitions;

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Situation Cont
Good News
Everyone is allowed to use their language. No language
has been outlawed;
The private sector including the media is using our
indigenous languages and therefore has grown writers,
readers and speakers;
Some of our signage has an indigenous language in it
(Kabi, danger, hatari);
There are several initiatives by the CSOs and FBOs to
promote language;
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Situation Cont
Good News
The following languages have orthographies/ although
some are not standardised;
Lugbarati, Madi (Moyo), Madi (Southern), Aringati,
Kakwa, Ndruli (Lendu), Alur, Jopadhola, Leb Acoli,
Leblango, Leb Kumam, Leb Thur, Ik, Ngakarimojong,
Ateso, Pokoot, Kupsapiiny, Lumasaaba (Lubuuya
dialect), Lusaamya-Lugwe, Lunyole, Lugwere, Lusoga
(Lutenga dialect), Luganda, Ruruuli-Runyala,
Runyoro-Rutooro, Lugungu, Lhukonzo, Rwamba,
Lubwisi, Runyankore-Rukiga, Rufumbira
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Situation of Ugandan Languages

Danger signs
None of the 65 languages is official;
Our languages are threatened, not spoken, not written,
not being learned; could lead to loss of culture and its
values;
Some of these languages have no written
orthographies and therefore no written works, cannot
be taught in schools and could eventually die;

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Situation Cont
Uganda has no clear language Policy, therefore no

policy direction on how languages can be promoted

and preserved and therefore no adequate funds. How
much of the budget is going into language
development?
Some believe our languages are divisive and therefore
we should not speak them/ or put them on a pedestal.
We should say that we are Ugandans not Acholi, not
Baganda

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Situation Cont..
Despite the thematic curriculum, indigenous

languages are not being not in urban areas because of

their cosmopolitan nature;
Also teachers and materials are inadequate and yet
children are also not learning their languages at home;
English and other foreign languages are glorified. Why
do we take oaths in English and make a very big deal
because people cannot speak good English?
Promotion and preservation of languages is not being
tracked.
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Why our languages are important

They keep our identity as Ugandans;
Some of our words are similar and we understand each

other- Unity;
They keep our values- the good things about our cultures
are kept therein ( Use Singapore example);
They are a solid basis for learning other languages;
People identify with them and they can be a source of
social transformation;
The diversity is wealth, presents different cultures, mosaic
of people, without them, those cultures would die;

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Role of the Media

Sensitise the public on the state of Ugandan

languages/ a documentary on the peoples and

languages of Uganda would be a winner;
Encourage the speaking of our languages/ use
competitions, quizes;
Do research on Ugandan languages and present it in
the different media;
Journalists should learn at least three other languages/
Wenger of Arsenal speaks 5 languages fluently so why
not;
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Role of the Media

Use the languages correctly, do not abuse it. Who ensures

quality;
Mobilise funds for language promotional and preservation
activities. Why not sponsor the development of the Benet
people, do blogs in Ugandan languages;
Participate in language promotion activities beyond just
reporting about them;
Encourage parents to be the first teachers of the mothertongue to their children;
Advocate for a law on the promotion of the use of Ugandas
languages in public life;

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Role of the media

Seek information on the ways other countries have

promoted and preserved their languages and

propagate it. For instance the Icelandic language has
just over 300,000 speakers but it has been
intelectualised;
Promote Ugandan languages as beautiful not local
Seek for champions within Parliament to promote
Ugandan languages and attract adequate funding for
their development;

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What are you going to do

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Important Contacts
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

Responsible for promoting Ugandan Languages;

Ministry of Education and Sports;
National Curriculum Development Centre;
Luganda/ Lusoga/ Lugwere Language Commission;
Summer Institute of Languages- Uganda;
World Vision, Uganda;
RTI International USAID/ Uganda Health and Reading
Programme;
Language Boards;
Traditional Cultural Institutions;

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CREDIT TO ACME
Annual arts and culture reporting symposia at ACME

are a great idea and should never stop;

Can you encourage institutions of higher learning to
do the same;
Is ACME following up the journalists they are training?
Have you developed indicators of improvement?

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Pamela Batenga

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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

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