The School of Languages, Literature and Communication will next year 2023 start new graduate programs in different languages including French, Kiswahili, English studies and Luganda among others.

This was disclosed during the school’s open day held on 9^th December 2022 at the Yusuf Lule Auditorium.  The school also launched two books and a journal of languages.

The Dean School of Languages, Literature and Communication Dr. Saudah Namyalo said the school has nurtured and churned out great men and artists through the gates of Makerere University.

“We are also here to celebrate out languages and cultures. We believe in unity in diversity. As you can see we have students from different ethnic backgrounds. We have been involved in different researches that’s why we are here today celebrating those achievements”, She said

To support the University in its strategic move of transforming into a research led university, Dr. Namyalo said the school will ensure that they have adequate graduate programs.

“The school has come up with master’s degree in French studies, Literature, Journalism and communication, Linguistics and many more. So the school is in the process of finalizing most of these curricular. And we believe with all these programs, we shall be able to do research in our languages”, Namyalo explained

Recognizing that the entire world survives partly on science and technology, Dean Namyalo stressed that linguistics believe that the country cannot   have meaningful transformation if science and technology is dressed in foreign languages.

“So what we are doing as a school is to position ourselves, do research and publish to ensure that our languages can be used to teach science and technology. This is possible as we have seen it happen in other countries like China and Japan. We believe if we do the same we are going to have all these wonderful innovations by both highly and non-highly educated communicated in a language they understand. And that’s part of our agenda and we believe as linguistics, we have a very big block to add to science and technology advancement in Uganda”, she added.

Dr. Namyalo appealed to parents to pass on their heritage to their children calling upon them to speak to children in their mother tongue.

“We have the educated group of people thinking that when you speak with your child from birth in a foreign language, then they will become intelligent and prosperous but as linguists we think to the contrary and believe that if you deny your child opportunity to speak, grow and develop using their own mother tongue, you are doing a very big disadvantage to them.

Also remember that our languages and cultures make us who we are. I am a Muganda because I have a language and a culture associated to me. Now when you kill this that means you are going to become a nobody”, The Dean advised.

The Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof. Josephine Ahikire described the school as a cradle for language diversification in the region hence the celebrating.

“The school has curved out its kind of celebration that has a rich menu of poems, songs, presentations by our alumni”.

She said the school has developed a number of Masters programs to help the university achieve its goal of becoming research led. 

“As A university we continue to enrich the curriculum and for Makerere, the next step that we are taking is to become a research led. It is at graduate level that you produce a true skilled university graduate, continue to build that capacity of critical thinkers and innovators to solve human predicaments”, the Principal said.

The celebration were also marked by two panel discussions. Prof. Oswold Ndolerire delivered the key note speech on   Trends and Perspectives of Language Teaching at Makerere University. Panelists Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, Mrs Shirley Byakutaga, the representative from the German embassy Mr. Christian Kettlhut and the representative of the Libyan Embassy Hesham gave their reflections on the topic.

Prof. Abasi Kiyimba delivered a keynote speech on the Reflections on the Historical 1962 Literary Conference at Makerere University with panelists Julian Namiyinga and Dr. Danstan Kahyana giving their reflections.

The centennial celebrations were also characterized by cultural performances from students consisting of fashion show, songs, dance and poetry recitations in Kiswahili, Spanish, German, French, English, Chinese, Runyakitara, Luo, Madi, Luganda among others.

A nation without culture is no nation- Mak DVCAA

In his closing remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs represented by CAES Principal Assoc. Prof. Gorrettie Nabanoga commended the school for the exemplary performance exhibited by the students.

“Thank you for showcasing what Makerere has. I didn’t know our students would sing, dance, show case talent and I realized that out there Makerere is not known I hope the media has captured this because it’s the first of its kind to be demonstrated by Makerere University.

This is what we call solid engagement with each other across disciplines. What has happened here today has not just been a show, it is a celebration of the field of languages literature and communication. This is a celebration within a hundred years and we are glad to witness the school of languages literature and communication achieve in time”, She said.

 Nabanoga noted that the discussion of the trends and perspectives of language teaching at Makerere university and the impact of the famous 1962 Literally conference of writers in English expression which is also celebrating 60 years is  a confirmation that  the university  engages the past to be able to build the future as the  motto states.

 In having these conversations, Nabanoga said, it shows the relevance of language to national development and open conversations on how to relate with each other.

“I am sure that this is a conversation that should not end here but continue for years to come. We must not lose our language because there are part of who we are and they demonstrate our cultural heritage.

 A nation without culture is no nation. The fact that we embrace our culture continues to have us who we are. We must also have languages so as to have a better way of serving each other in the world. We are one family though different cultures, everything is one.” Dr. Nabanoga stressed

Nabanoga commended the School of Languages Literature and Communication for showing the way in this regard.

“Art demonstrates a lot, culture is an art and as we embrace diversity we cannot forget that the School of Languages Literature and Communication has showed us what we ought to do at Makerere University. Allow me thank the leadership of the whole college at CHUSS for your commitment in ensuring that the humanities do not merely survive but actually thrive at Makerere university. This is the beginning, we expect to see more of such events in the college”, She added.

She appreciated all participants for making time to participate in this event, promising full support for the disciplines understudy in the school of languages literature and communication.

If you missed this massive event, catch up on line by clicking on the link below:

We also bring you a pictorial of the event on the link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12tbbOWvyILUEFeAlQxj9kraoDFrSlu8z

View on CHUSS