Uganda’s upcoming elections are already proving to be heated, and one candidate is making waves with an unusual campaign promise.
Mubarak Munyagwa, the presidential hopeful from the Common Man’s Party (CMP), says he wants to scrap Swahili as a national language and instead make French official alongside English.
It’s a bold pledge that has stirred debate, especially given Swahili’s strong cultural and regional influence.
Munyagwa’s Big Promise: Goodbye Swahili, Hello French
Speaking at one of his campaign rallies, Munyagwa explained his reasoning: Uganda’s neighbors — including Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and the Central African Republic — all use French extensively.
He argued that Uganda should align more closely with these countries.
“We shall ban Swahili as our national language, we shall ban it. We need French instead.
French has a wider coverage… We don’t need Swahili; we need English and French,” he told supporters, doubling down on the proposal.
Why Swahili Matters in East Africa
Munyagwa’s statement clashes directly with Uganda’s recent policy.
In 2022, the government officially adopted Swahili as its second national language, alongside English.
The decision wasn’t random — it was part of a broader effort to strengthen ties within the East African Community (EAC), where Swahili plays a unifying role.
The language is widely spoken in Kenya, Tanzania, and across parts of Uganda, making it an important cultural and political bridge.
High Stakes Ahead of the 2026 General Election
This language debate adds yet another layer to what is expected to be a tense general election, scheduled for 12 January 2026.
Munyagwa officially secured his presidential nomination and also promised to prioritize restoring the rule of law.
The race is shaping up as a potential rematch between long-time President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, the pop star-turned-politician.
Munyagwa’s language proposal might not be the central issue for most Ugandans, but it certainly ensures that his campaign is making headlines.