KAMPALA- On March 20, of every year, is the Francophonie day, and usually there are lots of activities that are done in celebration of the month.
The French Embassy in Uganda and Alliance Francaise de Kampala and and other partners took the toll in the education dimension and in the same spirit, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces ( UPDF), Uganda Police Force, French students and teachers received their DELF and DALF exam certificates, prizes and recognition respectively.
At a reception hosted at his residence in Nakasero, Kampala, H.E Xavier Sticker, the French Ambassador to Uganda congratulated the guests in particular those who received with DALF and DELF certificates for the great achievement in attaining multilingualism.
” We are looking forward to a number of international events and the major one will be the Olympics games in Paris, the summit of the Francophonie in October and the congress of Eastern and Southern Africa for French teachers in July and all these will be duly supported.
Embracing the French language is avenue of promoting dialogue and this is a mode of creating multilingualism, cultural diversity and tolerance which is good for business and opportunities. This is what we have been informing the people through our earlier engagements at the Job and Study Fair, Njogera Francais and others” Sticker Said.
Sticker extended his appreciation to those who have had the interest to learn especially the teachers and other stake holders because if it were not them all that would not be possible.
He also added that with the Association of French teachers in Uganda Project, they intend to equip them with training tools so that they can extend their services with more knowledge and expertise.
Speaking on behalf of Uganda People’s Defence Forces ( UPDF), Major Denis Lubega, Coordinator Junior Staff College said they they have been able to pursue French classes and sitting in A1, A2, B1 and B2 in DALF and DELF exams was a great milestone in their careers and serving the beyond the nation.
“I am also delighted to see our UPDF military and police officers receive their diplomas today with a smile on their faces.
Thanks to your hard work, dedication and perseverance, you have come out on top in this difficult challenge, thanks to the French Defence Cooperation Mission in Kampala, led by Lieutenant Colonel Yan Chollet and his deputy Chief Warrant Officer Ludovic Bridoux, and the UPDF headquarters under the controlled Joint Chief of Staff (JCOs)” Added Major Lubega
He also asserted that this cooperation, cordial understanding and concerted work between the entities is bearing fruit, adding that it has also given them free access to the language and culture centre at the Alliance française de Kampala (AFK) where they have been able to interact with facilitators during these educational encounters..
Major Lubega also noted that the diploma alone is not a guarantee of the moments to come but it was above all a long journey that they have decided to undertake on the “French boat” because the language is alive and it will remain with them.
Relatedly , Eric Touze, director Alliance Francaise de Kampala thanked all the stake holders who are responsible for the development of French language in the country and pledged their support in whatever way that is possible.
He also encouraged the winners of the Njogera Francais School competition to continue with the language farther so that it can give them international exposure and opportunities.
On the same evening students from the top 7 schools and their teachers were awarded for their tremendous efforts especially in the poem competition.
These included ; Ndejje Senior Secondary School, St. Peters Senior Secondary School, Nsambya, Nabisunsa Girls, Kitante Hill School, Green Hill Academy, Makerere College School and Acorns International School.
