Kampala, Uganda – Uganda successfully hosted the inaugural International Kiswahili Conference at Kololo Independence Grounds from April 14th to 16th, marking a historic first for the East African Community (EAC). Under the theme, “Embracing Kiswahili: A Political and Economic Imperative for Africa’s Renaissance,” thousands of delegates from across East Africa and beyond convened to celebrate, strategize, and promote Kiswahili as a unifying language for the continent.
Organized by Afrika Mashariki Fest, the conference brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including university lecturers, renowned authors, journalists, policymakers, and cultural leaders. Notable guests included Kenyan author Pauline Keya, Nigerian author Christian Uche, Kenyan teacher and author Mwalimu Walah Bin Wallah, and Professor PLO Lumumba, all of whom contributed rich insights into Kiswahili’s cultural and academic significance.
Delegates from Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, DR Congo and host Uganda engaged in robust discussions addressing challenges such as the rise of Sheng language, inconsistent political support within the EAC and the need for prioritizing Kiswahili as a language of regional integration and economic collaboration.
The conference galvanized commitments from EAC leaders and educational institutions to increase Kiswahili promotion through curriculum reforms, media, and policy support, emphasizing its role in realizing Africa’s socio-economic renaissance. Many attendees highlighted Uganda’s successful stewardship as a milestone that elevated the language’s profile continent-wide, setting the stage for broader Kiswahili adoption.