Limit English Use At Home — Nnabagereka Urges Parents

The Nnabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, has called upon parents across the country to reduce the overuse of English at home and instead encourage their children to learn and speak their indigenous languages.

She made the remarks on Saturday while officially closing the 19th edition of the Kisaakate Children’s Camp at Hormisdalen School in Gayaza.

Addressing children, parents and organisers, the Nnabagereka emphasised the importance of preserving culture and identity through language, warning that many children are becoming overly dependent on English at the expense of their mother tongues.

“Many children come here without being able to utter even a single word in their local language. We continue to urge parents to speak to their children in their dialects at home so they can master at least one indigenous language instead of living their whole lives speaking only English,” she said.

She expressed satisfaction that participants were leaving the camp more confident, independent in thought and equipped with life skills that go beyond passive phone usage. According to her, children should grow into active thinkers who use their minds productively rather than relying heavily on digital distractions.

The Kisaakate Camp, organised by the Buganda Kingdom, is an annual program aimed at nurturing school-going children into responsible citizens of the Kabaka’s kingdom. The camp focuses on cultural values, moral behaviour, leadership skills and community responsibility.