Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has said that the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) will actively promote the use of the Kiswahili language across Uganda as part of efforts to encourage a common national language.

Muhoozi said promoting Kiswahili would help achieve what he described as President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing dream of having a national language that can unite Ugandans from different communities.

“PLU shall actively promote the Kiswahili language all over Uganda. So that we will realise Mzee’s dream of a national language,” Muhoozi said.

He encouraged Ugandans who may not understand local dialects in different parts of the country to embrace Kiswahili as a means of communication before turning to English.

“If you cannot speak the local dialect, speak Kiswahili. English should be the last resort,” he added.

Muhoozi’s remarks have renewed discussions about the role of Kiswahili in Uganda, a language that has been promoted by the government and the East African Community as a regional language of communication.

Supporters of Kiswahili argue that a widely spoken national language can help strengthen unity and communication among people from different ethnic backgrounds.

Uganda has several indigenous languages spoken in different regions, while English remains the official language used in government, education and many formal settings.

The promotion of Kiswahili has been part of broader efforts within East Africa to increase regional integration, with the language spoken widely in countries such as Kenya and Tanzania.

Muhoozi said PLU would continue supporting initiatives aimed at increasing the use of Kiswahili among Ugandans as part of building stronger national identity and communication.

The statement has sparked conversations among Ugandans about the future of language policy and the role Kiswahili can play in connecting communities across the country.