President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a direct challenge to Uganda’s cultural institutions, calling on them to take a leading role in promoting and preserving indigenous languages, which he described as an area that has been dangerously neglected.
Speaking during the coronation of the new King of Tooro, Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal on Tuesday, the President said schools alone cannot be relied upon to pass local languages to younger generations.
“I challenge the cultural institutions to cooperate with the central government to strengthen their languages. This cannot be taught in education institutions, but the cultural leaders can. This is one area that has been neglected,” Museveni said.
The President noted that the responsibility of preserving indigenous languages should not be left entirely to the formal education system. He argued that cultural leaders are better placed to mobilise communities and promote the everyday use of local languages.
Museveni expressed concern that younger generations are increasingly speaking English and other widely used languages at the expense of their mother tongues. “I could see this was an area which was in danger because children are now speaking English. The indigenous languages are not attended to at all,” he said.
The President’s call extended beyond language to encompass the broader sphere of indigenous knowledge and science. He urged cultural institutions to protect and promote traditional medicine, agriculture, livestock practices, and other forms of local knowledge that risk disappearing as modern systems replace traditional practices.
He cited his own efforts to preserve the Ankole longhorn cattle as an example of the importance of protecting indigenous heritage, noting that he had even sold some cattle to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“We must also guard our language, culture and indigenous science jealously. Our local knowledge is disappearing,” Museveni said.
Museveni identified culture as a second area that has suffered from inadequate attention, alongside language. He referenced the historical role played by cultural institutions in organising activities aimed at promoting cultural identity, citing the example of the Nabagereka of Buganda who used to organise cultural galas.
The President’s remarks come amid ongoing national discussions about the role of cultural institutions in preserving Uganda’s diverse heritage. Uganda is home to more than 40 indigenous languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world.
The coronation ceremony at Karuziika Palace formally installed Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the 13th Omukama of Tooro, following the death of his predecessor, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, on August 27, 2026.
The event brought together cultural leaders, government officials, religious leaders, and members of the Tooro community, underscoring the significance of the occasion for the kingdom and the nation.
The President’s call to cultural institutions represents a significant policy signal, positioning traditional leaders as essential partners in the effort to safeguard Uganda’s linguistic and cultural heritage for future generations.
