Ugandan creatives have been encouraged to take advantage of the Swahili classes offered four days a week at the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC). These classes are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with additional sessions on weekends.
Mr. Emmanuel Lubega, a Kiswahili teacher, consultant, and coordinator from the Kiswahili Teaching and Enhancement Program (KITENHAP), explained that their organization partnered with the National Theatre to help thespians, actors, and artists learn Swahili. The goal is for creatives to begin producing work in Kiswahili, enabling them to achieve international success.
Lubega emphasized that KITENHAP chose the National Theatre as their base to promote both the creatives and the Kiswahili language through new productions and songs. He believes this initiative will help break borders and increase appreciation for Ugandan artists internationally.
This opportunity comes at a crucial time, as Ugandan creatives—including actors, visual artists, and poets—face challenges in accessing opportunities requiring Kiswahili proficiency. Many Ugandan productions also remain confined within the country’s borders.
For example, during the first Swahili class session on July 17, actor Raymond Rushabiro shared his disappointment at losing a project that would have paid him USD 1,500 per episode for 52 episodes. “If I calculate, Raymond lost UGX 288 million. That could have been a life-changing opportunity for him,” Lubega noted.
He added that the public has been given the opportunity to learn Swahili at no cost, making it convenient for everyone.
Phillip Balimunsi, the curator of the Uganda National Cultural Center and the Uganda National Gallery—Nommo Gallery, expressed his pleasure at having a Kiswahili master class, given the ongoing regional integration. He noted that Ugandans often struggle with exchanges in Kenya and Tanzania. “This is a great opportunity for creatives—not only in performing arts but also in visual arts, poetry, dance, and more—to exchange ideas freely in a widely spoken international language,” he said.
Robert Musiitwa, head of Public Relations at the UNCC, explained that the Swahili teaching initiative aims to empower Ugandan creatives to create cultural products that transcend Uganda’s borders. “Artists, especially musicians who perform in Swahili, find their music embraced across East Africa. The same goes for actors proficient in Swahili, as seen in recent audition calls requiring fluency in both English and Swahili,” he explained.
Musiitwa added that the UNCC is committed to supporting East African integration efforts. Offering free Swahili classes is one of their contributions. These classes are held at the National Theatre on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6–8 PM, and on Saturdays from 11 AM–1 PM. Online classes will soon be available to include participants from upcountry, with details shared on their digital platforms.
The UNCC’s goal is to host artistic productions and festivals curated in Swahili by participating students, starting from regional levels and culminating on the national stage.
