KAMPALA, Uganda— France has allocated €288,000 (UGX 1,123,776,000) to promote French language education in Uganda through the French Education Fund (FEF), a two-year project launched in May.
The initiative, implemented by the French Embassy, Alliance Française de Kampala, and the Association of Teachers of French in Uganda, aims to enhance access to high-quality French language education in Ugandan schools.
“The project will strengthen French language presence in Uganda, train educators, and foster language proficiency and cultural exchange,” said Eric Touze, Executive Director of Alliance Française de Kampala.
Touze emphasized that training educators is a key component of the initiative. “The idea is to train the educators, such that the educator that we train will train their colleagues,” he said.
Cyril Maman, Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy, noted that French is not only a cultural asset but also a powerful tool for development.
“French is more than a language. It’s an opportunity for Uganda’s youth, and mastering French can be a pathway to regional trade, international mobility, and professional opportunities in Francophonie countries,” Maman said.
Louise Bay explained that the FEF project addresses the growing demand for French language education in Uganda. However, she noted that resources have not kept pace with this demand.
“There are approximately 50,000 learners of French in Uganda, and for many, the language represents a gateway to opportunities in East Africa and beyond, whether for trade, culture, or education,” Bay said.
Bay highlighted that the project will provide capacity-building programs for teachers, modern learning tools, and cultural activities to inspire students.
Pauline Dinet, Head of Courses at Alliance Française de Kampala, said the project will visit 20 secondary schools across the country, with 15 schools receiving awards for promoting French education.
“As of now, we have visited four schools out of those 20,” Dinet said. “Almost 400 students have benefited from those activities so far, and I have to mention that half of them were girls, because inclusion and gender equality is a key aspect of this project.”
Agatha Tumwine, President of the Association of Teachers of French in Uganda, noted that under this project, all teachers of French are expected to undergo training.
Tumwine highlighted that some training sessions have already been conducted. She also mentioned the organization of CALUFU (French Language Camps for Youths), which provide students with a week of French immersion through activities that combine language learning with fun.
“French language camps, holiday camps for secondary school students. And in this project, we are supposed to conduct five camps,” Tumwine said.
The project has already made a significant impact, benefiting over 400 students and teachers nationwide.