By
Fahad Muganga
Calls for the establishment of a French journal took center stage during the International French Teachers’ Day celebrations held at Kyambogo University.
The event, which began with a community cleaning activity at Banda Training Center, concluded with a lively quiz competition by the Kyambogo University French Club.
Dr. Agatha Tumwine, the president of the French Teachers’ Association of Uganda told URN that while the main celebrations were hosted at Kyambogo, similar events took place across the country.
At Kyambogo, speaker after speaker highlighted the need for a French journal to provide a platform for French teachers to publish their academic work and facilitate professional growth.
This demand stems from the limited number of French teachers in Uganda, particularly those who have attained doctoral qualifications. Dr. Tumwine revealed that the association currently comprises about 450 French teachers nationwide.
In an interview with journalists, Dr. Tumwine acknowledged the challenges posed by a lack of advanced academic programs for French teachers. However, she noted that progress is being made.
“To be a lecturer at the univerity level you need to have a masters and a phd, but initially we didnt have enough programms tobtrain teachers of french, but currently at makerere we have a masters of french language studies which we have hope that in next years we shall be able to have more lecturers in the country” Tumwine said
The dean of students at Kyambogo said that many of their lecturers struggle to publish their work in English jounals and would wish a French journal be opened
“I want to encourage the French fraternity, please help us to get those qualifications. We really hope to get qualified teachers. So please aim to those higher qualifications,” dean of students said
“I also want you to look at the issue of research. I don’t think we have a journal where our lecturers can publish, therefore they end up publishing in English journals, and sometimes their content may be mitigated. We need to have an avenue where we can send our message in French because all our people here it is going to be very hard to be promoted without publishing” dean of students said
On her part, Louise Bay, the cooperation Atacheee for education and culture said that they have different initiatives to improve the French speaking and learning in the country.
We have different initiatives to strengthen the teaching of french in uganda.
“We are also encouraginging the ugandan government to have a structured programm of french teaching in ugandan curriculum, it is something we are working on with all the local partners,” representative of the french ambassador said
Professor Edith Natukunda, a professor of French at Makerere said while there’s no journal in the country, she encouraged her colleagues to consider finding solace in the regional journal.
“We have a challenge but we can find a temporary solution. Our journals here in Uganda are English and those cannot give you points. So we have regional journals like synergy which is for Great Lakes.
“I therefore want to encourage colleagues to publish regionally as we wait for a journal here,” Professor Natukunda said