The French Embassy in Kampala has officially launched this year’s Francophonie Month with a colourful briefing at the French Ambassador’s residence in Nakasero, bringing together diplomats accredited to Uganda for a season dedicated to culture, music, food and youth engagement.
The launch drew ambassadors and representatives from countries working within the Francophonie framework, underscoring the shared commitment to cultural diversity and international cooperation.
Speaking at the residence, the Ambassador of France to Uganda, Virginie Leroy, described Francophonie as a global community shaped largely by Africa.
“Francophonie is a global language community. 321 million people are speaking French across five continents,” she said. “It does not belong to France. This is something that we share.”
She noted that the majority of French speakers are on the African continent, making Africa “the heartbeat of the Francophone world.”
Francophonie brings together 93 countries under the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), currently headed by Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo. The organisation promotes cooperation in education, culture, economic development and human rights.
French Language and Opportunity
Ambassador Leroy highlighted the growing relevance of French in Uganda, especially within the East African Community, where it is now an official language.
With about 45,000 learners and 350 teachers across Uganda, French is among the most widely taught international languages in the country.
“Speaking French opens doors,” she said, describing it as a practical tool for employability, regional trade and diplomacy.
A Calendar Filled with Culture
The month-long programme will feature concerts, culinary experiences and youth-focused initiatives.
Belgium announced a musical collaboration at the National Theatre, followed by a Belgian dinner in Kampala celebrating the country’s rich cuisine.
Burundi will showcase its traditional drums, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Burundi’s Ambassador, Jules Ndihokubwayo, described the drum as a symbol of unity.
“When it raises its powerful sound, it pulls people together. It transcends divisions and creates a shared space,” he said.
Egypt’s Ambassador to Uganda, Monzer Fathi Abdel Aziz Mohamed Selim, announced a culinary evening at Sheraton Kampala, featuring dishes inspired by more than 500 years of Egyptian history.
“We believe that food is culture,” he said. “It represents who we are and where we come from.”
The Republic of Korea, an observer member of the OIF, will mark 10 years of partnership with a Korean Food Night, while Rwanda will present a cultural troupe during the Francophonie concert later in the month.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Joseph Rutabana, said French remains an important official language in Rwanda alongside Kinyarwanda and English, with official documents produced in all three languages.
Teachers Push for Multilingualism
Dr Agatha Tumwine, President of the Association of Teachers of French in Uganda, said activities will run countrywide from March 7 to April 11.
She emphasized that French complements rather than competes with other languages.
“Languages have to coexist. There is no language that should be superior to another,” she said.
Governance Based on Equality
Addressing perceptions about influence within Francophonie, Ambassador Leroy explained that the OIF operates on a “one country, one voice, one vote” principle.
“It is based on respect for every country and every culture,” she said.
With a packed calendar of performances, exhibitions and networking events, Francophonie Month promises to turn Kampala into a hub of cultural exchange, celebrating language not as ownership, but as a shared space for dialogue and opportunity.
