The International Day of Teachers of French is celebrated each November to honor the commitment and passion of French teachers worldwide. Since 2019, this celebration has served as a platform to acknowledge the work, creativity, and resilience of educators promoting the French language across the globe.
In Uganda, the Association of Teachers of French in Uganda (APFO) joined the international community in marking this year’s celebration in a special event held at Makerere University, in the main hall of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) on Thursday, 20th November.
Celebrating Through Music and Innovation
The theme for 2025, “Singing, Playing, Teaching French Through Music,” reflected the dynamic and creative approaches that continue to shape the teaching of French in Uganda. This theme inspired the creation of the official APFO anthem, composed and performed by Bwambale Jacob, who emerged the winner in a competition that also featured two other talented finalists, Patrick Masereka and Rev. Brian Nsubuga.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of a new textbook titled “French Made Easy”, designed for secondary schools. This landmark publication aims to support teachers by providing contextualized and practical teaching resources. The book was officially launched by the French Ambassador to Uganda, Her Excellency Virginie Leroy, who was the guest of honour.
Honoring Partnerships and Progress
In her remarks, Dr. Agatha Atwine, the President of APFO, expressed deep appreciation to the French Embassy and the Alliance Française de Kampala for their consistent support. She noted that “French Made Easy” fills an important gap, bringing Ugandan context into the French classroom.
Her Excellency Virginie Leroy praised the dedication and performance of Ugandan teachers and learners of French, emphasizing that the best way to master a language is to speak it confidently. She highlighted that French offers Ugandan youth opportunities for employability, education, mobility, regional integration, and peacebuilding—particularly within the Great Lakes region.
French: A Growing Asset for Uganda
French continues to grow as a strategic language in Uganda and the East African region. With the Democratic Republic of Congo now in the East African Community, French is officially the third language of the EAC. Today, nearly 50,000 learners and 400 teachers are involved in the teaching of French across Uganda, supported by longstanding partners such as APFO, the French Embassy, and the Alliance Française.
Plans for future educational cooperation were also shared, including the launch of a new language assistantship programme in France, set to begin in 2026, which will offer Ugandan youth unique professional and academic opportunities.
Looking Forward
APFO celebrates these milestones as signs of continued growth, innovation, and collaboration in promoting French in Uganda. Since hosting the JIPF event at Makerere University in 2023 and welcoming His Excellency Ambassador Xavier Sticker that year, APFO is proud to return again to this historic university—an institution that symbolizes multilingualism, international education, and cultural exchange.
As APFO approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, the association remains committed to strengthening language education, empowering teachers, and expanding access to French across all regions of Uganda.
