At the Common Wealth Resort, Munyonyo, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Hon Rebecca Kadaga stated that Cabinet Ministers are to start taking Kiswahili lessons every Monday from 9a.m to 10 a.m.
The decision comes after cabinet ministers approved the adoption of Kiswahili as the official language earlier this month. According to Hon Kadaga, they have to lead by example and popularize the language in the country.
They therefore will be learning the language first, as arrangements for the local governments remain underway.
Giving their views on the subject, The Fatboy Show presenters Olive Najjuma and James Onen, who is commonly known as Fatboy wondered whether the Cabinet Ministers must study the new language.
“Our ministers are all middle-aged and close to geriatric. Is this the time to start teaching them a new language?" Fatboy questioned.
Olive wondered how the ministers will grasp a new language when most can not operate their tablets.
“I guess they will find a way of simplifying the learning for them but is it necessary?” Olive asked.
Fatboy reasoned that Kiswahili education is only logical if implemented in primary and secondary schools.
In his view, it will easily be learned by the younger generation and create a Kiswahili-speaking population in a few years. “But teaching it to Ministers! First of all, many of them are so old and can’t grasp everyday things. Now how can they possibly learn a new language!” he exclaimed.
The Fatboy show is hosted by James Onen aka Fatboy, Olive, and Sarah every weekday from 6 am to 10 am on RX Radio.