Makerere University, Kampala, Nov. 20, 2025
The French Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Virginie Leroy, has called on Uganda to increase investment in the teaching and learning of French, saying the language offers significant economic, educational, and diplomatic benefits for the country. She made the remarks during celebrations marking the International Day of Teachers of French held at Makerere University’s CEDAT Conference Hall.
The event, organised by the Association of French Teachers in Uganda and hosted by Makerere University’s Department of European and Oriental Languages was supported by the French Embassy, Alliance Française de Kampala and Makerere University among others.
This years celebration was held under the theme “Chanter, jouer, enseigner: la francophonie en musique” — “Singing, Playing, Teaching: Francophonie in Music.” The integration of music in teaching and learning enhances engagement and spur growth of the language.
The days activities included speeches, quizzes, a French skit, presentations by the three Ugandan French Association anthem composers, and the launch of the new FEF Book *“French Made Easy – Book 1.”The book will help teachers simplify French instructions in classrooms and also support learning of French from Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions. The other objective is to make is to make the Francophone community more lively, vibrant and enthusiastic and to open more partnerships.
“French is a Language of Peace and Opportunity”– Ambassador Leroy
In her address, Ambassador Virginie Leroy urged Ugandans especially students and teachers to embrace French as a pathway to employment, cross-border trade, and international collaboration.
“More students and teachers are learning French, and there are real benefits for professional reasons, opening new opportunities and jobs,” she said. “The French language is a language of peace, and learning a language is learning about the world and building peace among people.”
Leroy, who has lived and worked extensively across Africa, praised Ugandan learners for their growing proficiency and encouraged wider adoption of digital learning tools to make French education more competitive globally.
“The best way to learn is to speak,” she emphasized.
Makerere Leadership Hails French Embassy for Supporting Language Education
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University Principal CHUSS, Assoc. Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, applauded the French Embassy for its longstanding commitment to enhancing French language education in Uganda.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank the French Embassy for their continued support… which gives the Ugandan future generation a competitive advantage,” she said. She further commended the Department of European and Oriental Languages for its dedication to sustaining Makerere as a leading centre for language studies.
Nkabala also praised APFO for innovative outreach projects such as the Carrefour Cup chaired by Dr. Agatha Tumwine, describing them as vital contributions to community engagement.
APFO President Calls for Inclusion of French Teachers in National Recruitment
The President of the Association of Ugandan French Teachers (APFO), Dr. Agatha Tumwine Magezi, urged the government to prioritise French teachers in its recruitment drives, noting that the subject is frequently omitted from national job adverts.
“Every advertisement for teacher recruitment never includes French,” she said. “There are French teachers on the government payroll, but very few. We ask government to consider those who studied French. Not all people can be doctors, engineers or other traditional jobs.”
Dr. Tumwine emphasized that French is already recognised as the third official language of the East African Community and warned that Ugandan learners risk losing out on regional and global opportunities if the language continues to be neglected.
“When you go to Congo, they speak French, but in their education system English is compulsory, increasing their competitive advantage,” she added.
The International French Teachers’ Day occurs annually on the fourth Thursday of November. This year, it will fall on November 27th. According to the French Institute, there are over 900,000 French teachers worldwide. They work in various countries, cultures, and educational systems but strive to preserve the French-speaking culture. The holiday was started in 2019 by French President Emmanuel Macron to celebrate the contribution of all teachers to popularizing and promoting the French language.
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