National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) held countrywide consultations with key education stakeholders to identify the most feasible languages for use as the medium of instruction at lower primary (Primary One to Primary Three).
The consultations were held at regional level in Moroto district for Karamoja sub-region, Mbale City (Bugisu), Fort Portal City (Rwenzori), Arua City (West Nile), Hoima City (Bunyoro), Luweero (central) Gulu City (Acholi & Lango), and Kampala.
During the interactions, held in August and September 2025, the Centre shared the findings of a nationwide survey it commissioned in 2022 to investigate language use patterns, community preferences, challenges in transitioning from local languages to English, and the feasibility of bilingual education models.
The purpose of the study was to identify and recommend the most feasible languages to be adopted as a medium of instruction in lower primary education in Uganda, which would, subsequently, inform the development of a structured, inclusive and evidence-based medium of instruction policy for Uganda’s lower primary education.
Based on the study findings, 26 languages have been identified and recommended as the most feasible languages for use as the medium of instruction in Uganda. These are: Eastern region (Lusamia, Lunyole, Dhopadhola, Ateso, Kupsabiny, Lugisu, Kumam, Lugwere and Lusoga), Northern region (Acholi, Langi, Ngakarimojong, Pokot, Lugbarati, Madi, Gimara, Kakwa and Dhu Alur), Western region (Runyankole-Rukiga, Runyoro-Rutooro, Lukhonzo, Lubwisi Lugungu and Rufumbira), Central region (Luganda), and Kiswahili.
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