Kenya's high commissioner to Uganda Ababu Namwamba has rallied Ugandans to embrace kiswahili as a key tool for strengthening regional cooperation and Namwamba was officiating at the 9th graduation ceremony at Wakan Academy under the International Youth Fellowship Academy where 130 young people graduated with skills in vocational courses and languages.
The graduates completed training in different skills related courses including tailoring, hair dressing, baking and foreign languages from teaching here around 15 languages.
Through this," we teach them three months basic skill but with skills, they are able to creating their own jobs from teaching 15 languages. We only not teach skills but also teach the mindset and also teach the heart of God so they can have a proper mindset and strong heart and this basic skill, what they learn, they can start changing their lives." Ababu said.
Among the graduates is Leia Akurut who completed the first level of Chinese language training she says, she hopes the language skills acquired will have a positive impact on her future.
The graduation also highlighted the growing importance of skills, languages and training in strengthening relations and cooperation among East African Countries and beyond.
The commissioner ministry of ICT Kiberti Ismael said that, it's the government's effort to skill all Ugandans and this is exactly what IYF is doing.
They are enhancing the government's efforts of skilling Ugandans.
Speaking at the 9th cohort graduation, Kenya high commissioner to Uganda Ababu Namwamba emphasized the significance of having a common language within the East African Community. Namwamba says kiswahili role as a lingua Frana is important in promoting regional integration among the East African Countries. We are keen on having Kiswahili as Lingua Frana of the community because a common language is a good glue of integration.
It will unite all eight member states Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and DR. Congo. It will be very easy for our people to interact and communicate and do businesses together, move freely across the East African Community region and share prosperity and that's easier when we have a common language and so swahili can become a powerful tool for integration in East Africa and ultimately in Africa.