<p>Ugandan presidential hopeful Mubarak Munyagwa has drawn significant public attention following comments suggesting that his administration would seek to phase out the use of Swahili in official state affairs and instead prioritize French and English.</p><p>Speaking during campaign activities, Munyagwa argued that increased emphasis on French would better position Uganda within emerging regional and international economic partnerships. He also maintained that English already serves as a widely established language of government, education and business in the country.</p><p>The proposal has generated mixed reactions among political observers, language experts and members of the public. Supporters of the idea contend that strengthening French-language education could expand opportunities for trade and diplomacy, particularly given Uganda's growing engagement with Francophone countries in the region.</p><p>Critics, however, argue that Swahili plays an important role in regional integration efforts across East Africa and serves as a unifying language among diverse communities. They caution that abandoning the language could undermine initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation within the East African Community.</p><p>Language policy has historically been a sensitive issue in Uganda, where English remains the official language while several indigenous languages continue to be widely spoken. Swahili has also been promoted in recent years as part of regional integration programmes.</p><p>Political analysts note that the proposal is likely to remain a subject of discussion throughout the election campaign as candidates outline their visions for education, governance and international relations.</p><p>The debate has once again highlighted the broader question of language policy and national identity in Uganda's evolving political landscape.</p><p>Photo credit: monitor.co</p>