ZANZIBAR President Ali Mohamed Shein says the country is ready to deploy Kiswahili experts to Uganda, as part of efforts to fast-track the drive to promote the language.
The pledge comes on the heels of the gathering momentum of the language becoming a popular medium of communication in the East African region.
In his welcoming remarks to visiting Ugandan Ambassador to Tanzania Richard Mabonero, the Isles leader said: “Let us promote our language, Kiswahili, as one of the effective tools of unifying people and consolidating communication in the East African region.”
Dr Shein, whose remarks preceded official talks held at the State House yesterday, said East African countries had a lot to share socially, economically, and politically, and that Zanzibar was well placed to provide Kiswahili language teachers or trainers.
The Zanzibar leader saluted President Yoweri Museveni for his spirited efforts to improve the lives of Ugandans, as well as for playing a pivotal role in strengthening East African cooperation.
Ambassador Mabonero thanked the President for his gesture, saying Uganda needed skilled tutors who would be instrumental in advancing Kiswahili in the country. “Zanzibar is one of the areas where Kiswahili originates.
We are happy to get facilitators from this island,” Mr Mabonero remarked. Delegates who participated in the Kiswahili forum which was held in Zanzibar last month, unanimously agreed to promote the language.
The forum was organised by the EAC Kiswahili Commission. Kiswahili, which has been approved as a regional language, is widely spoken in Tanzania, but has yet to pick up satisfactory momentum in Uganda,Kenya
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