Uganda's education official has urged students in the country to consider studying the Chinese language. "All our students should learn Chinese because most of the jobs or opportunities come when you know at least two foreign languages", said Hilda Ayebare, assistant curriculum specialist for foreign languages at the Uganda National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC).
"We have already rolled out the teaching of Chinese language in our curriculum", she said Sunday at the Ugandan finals of a Chinese proficiency competition at Kyambogo College School in the capital, Kampala. Ayebare said that the Chinese language has been taught in both lower and upper secondary schools across Uganda since 2020.
Fan Xuecheng, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, remarked that over the past 23 years, the "Chinese Bridge" contest has evolved into a significant platform for global Chinese language learners to engage in cultural exchange, fostering a deeper understanding of China and its rich cultural heritage. "Since the inauguration of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University in 2014, more than 20,000 local Ugandan students from around 80 secondary schools have been learning Chinese, and over 145 local Ugandan teachers can teach Chinese independently after receiving intensive training", he said.
Fan emphasized that the strong economic partnership between China and Uganda has entered new stages thanks to pragmatic cooperation, highlighting the importance of language learning in accessing various opportunities. Gilbert Gumoshabe, co-director of Makerere University's Confucius Institute, underscored that the competition provides Ugandan students with a platform to demonstrate their acquired skills and immerse themselves in Chinese culture.
In the culmination of the competition, twelve students participated in the final round across college and secondary school categories, showcasing their proficiency in the Chinese language and their grasp of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural displays. Namulemo Leticia emerged victorious in the secondary school category, representing Ndejje Secondary School, while Kamya Ivan, a student at Makerere University, claimed the top spot in the college category. Both winners will go on to represent Uganda in the upcoming global "Chinese Bridge" finals in China later this year.
Hilda Ayebare, assistant curriculum specialist for foreign languages at the Uganda National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC), addresses the audience during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition held in Kampala, Uganda. The Ugandan finals of the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition concluded at Kyambogo College School in Kampala. A student also demonstrated proficiency in the guzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Kampala.
