HAVANA (Cuba), Nov 14 (NNN-KBC) — Uganda has been selected to host the 2025 International Kiswahili Conference as confirmed by Dr Kisembo Ronex Tendo, CEO of the East Afrika Mashariki Fest , when he received the flag in Havana, Cuba, following the conclusion of this year’s conference, which was organized by the United Republic of Tanzania under the direction of its ambassador to Cuba, Hamphrey Polepole.
Dr Kisembo, however, said the exact dates for the conference will be announced during a media conference set to be held in Kampala, Uganda.
“Kiswahili is our pride, and we are supposed to feel proud of it, promoting its growth because it’s a unifying language that is non-discriminative and a language that enables business,” said Dr Kisembo
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has lauded the move of his country hosting the Kiswahili Conference, adding that it’s something they are proud of as a country.
According to Dr Kisembo, the aim of next year’s conference in Uganda is to change the attitude and mindset of hatred among Ugandans who use Kiswahili in their day-to-day engagements and in doing business.
The foundational element of our regional integration is the establishment of a free and open market for the East African community, which is ingrained in Kiswahili.
“We cannot cling to the enmity that sparked the 1979 Kagera War. Therefore, as Ugandans, we will fall behind in disbelief if we are unable to use and promote Kiswahili with others. We should be proud of Kiswahili, which is not a language of criminals, thugs, or oppressors.” added Dr Kisembo.
The International Kiswahili Conference this year, which took place in Havana, Cuba, from the 7th to the 10th of this month, brought together representatives from East African countries that speak Swahli, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Zanzibar.
This year’s edition of the international Kiswahili Conference, a peculiar occurrence, was organized by the United Republic of Tanzania, the Cuban government, and other Kiswahili-speaking stakeholders across the world with the aim of promoting its use, embracing it, and spreading it.
The just concluded International Kiswahili Conference in Cuba was held under the theme Ustawi wa Kishwahili Duniani: Tulikotoka,Tulipo na Tuendako,” which translates to the growth of Kiswahili World Wide: the past, the present, and the future. — NNN-KBC
