The Ministry of Gender withdraws Uganda National Kiswahili Bill, 2023, as Education Ministry takes over

In a significant development during the parliamentary session on Tuesday, 22 October 2024, the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development officially withdrew the Uganda National Kiswahili Bill, 2023.

The move paves the way for the Ministry of Education and Sports to take over and re-table the proposed legislation.

The withdrawal was made by Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture, who explained that the decision followed a Cabinet meeting on Monday, 21 October 2024.

“In yesterday’s meeting, Cabinet reconsidered its earlier position on hosting the Bill from the Ministry of Gender to the Ministry of Education,” Mutuuzo informed the House.

This withdrawal follows a request made by the Minister of State for Education and Sports (Sports), Hon. Peter Ogwang, who, on 17 October 2024, moved for the Bill’s withdrawal after it faced challenges during the Second Reading.

Lawmakers had raised concerns regarding the ownership of the Bill and questioned the necessity of creating a Kiswahili Council, an issue that had led to procedural delays.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, referred the Bill to the Ministry of Education and Sports, following the Cabinet’s revised position. Speaker Among also urged both ministries to harmonize their positions to avoid further confusion.

The Uganda National Kiswahili Bill, 2023, seeks to provide a legal framework for the establishment of the Uganda National Kiswahili Council, its functions, the relationship between the Council and local governments, and its funding.

The Council is intended to play a pivotal role in promoting Kiswahili in line with Article 6(2) of the Constitution, which designates Kiswahili as Uganda’s second official language.

As the Ministry of Education prepares to re-table the Bill, it remains to be seen how the legislative process will move forward under their stewardship.

The adoption of Kiswahili as an official language is a significant step in fostering national unity and regional integration within the East African Community (EAC).