As part of strategic move to promote speaking of local languages, government will introduce the teaching of lusoga language at Makerere University,Minister for Gender Peace Regis Mutuuzo has announced.
According to Mutuuzo Mother Language Day is part of a broader initiative to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world,” as adopted by the UN General Assembly on 16th May 2007 in UN Resolution 61/266.
“Language is one of the important natural resources through which human beings produce thoughts, concepts, formulas, and knowledge that are highly demanded in development,”she stated.
Mutuuzo made the remarks while addressing the media in Kampala ahead of celebrations of the international mother tongue day due to take place on 20th February 2026 at Makerer University under the theme: language matter,harnessing technology to document and help Uganda’s indigenous language”
According to Mutuuzo mother language is essential for quality learning and cultural preservation. This informs part of the government of Uganda’s policy on early childhood education, where pupils are instructed in their mother tongue until primary level 4 and also buttresses the teaching of mother languages at primary, secondary, and higher institutions of learning at tertiary or university level.
International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21st February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to encourage multilingualism. First announced by UNESCO on 17th November 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly with the adoption of UN Resolution 56/262 in 2002.
The celebration aims to show-case the achievements of mother language education at Makerere University and encourage discussion among national scholars and stakeholders of language and culture in Uganda and beyond. The day will bring together different political and cultural leaders, researchers, educators, publishers, policymakers, translators, and interpreters to discuss critical issues in language education, cultural preservation and continuity, and technological innovation.
The celebration aims to achieve the following objectives to exhibit research outputs and publications on Uganda’s indigenous languages, bring together linguists and language stakeholders to discuss critical issues on Uganda’s linguistic and cultural diversity and launch the teaching of Lusoga at Makerere University.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development recognizes language as a fundamental pillar of cultural identity, social inclusion, and sustainable national development.
“The Ministry supports initiatives aimed at safeguarding mother tongues through policy development, community mobilization, and collaboration with academic and cultural institutions. These efforts ensure that Uganda’s linguistic diversity remains a source of pride, unity, and intergenerational knowledge transfer,”
Language development is essential for inclusive governance, effective service delivery, and meaningful citizen participation. evidence-based approaches to language preservation and development.
“As we commemorate World Mother Tongue Day, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding Uganda’s linguistic heritage as a foundation for dignity, cultural identity, social cohesion, and inclusive national development,”Mutuuzo stressed.
His Majesty the Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV will grace the occasion as guest of Honour