What You Need to Know
Dr. Ahmad Sovu, a prominent Kiswahili expert, has donated a collection of Kiswahili books to the University of Technology and Arts of Byumba in Rwanda. This donation aims to enhance the teaching and learning of Kiswahili and supports regional initiatives by the East African Kiswahili Commission to promote the language.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. IN a significant step toward promoting the global growth of Kiswahili, Senior Lecturer and Kiswahili language expert, Dr Ahmad Sovu has donated a collection of Kiswahili books to the University of Technology and Arts of Byumba (UTAB) in Rwanda.
The donation includes dictionaries, grammar guides, communication texts, and literature materials, aimed at strengthening the teaching and learning of Kiswahili at the institution.
The gesture also supports ongoing efforts by the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) and the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy (MNMA) to advance the language across the region and beyond.
Receiving the books on behalf of the university, the Director General of Library Services, Mr Alfred Mwintonze, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr Sovu for the generous contribution.
He further appealed to other Kiswahili experts and stakeholders to support the university with additional learning resources, noting that UTAB is among the institutions in Rwanda offering Kiswahili studies.
In a related development, Dr Sovu extended his appreciation to the East African Kiswahili Commission for facilitating his participation in the 2026 Mobility Programme—an initiative that promotes academic exchange and professional collaboration among partner states of the East African Community.
The programme provides a platform for scholars and experts to share knowledge and best practices in advancing Kiswahili across the region.
Kiswahili, a Bantu language widely spoken in East Africa, has gained recognition as a lingua franca in the region. Its promotion has been supported by various initiatives, including the East African Kiswahili Commission, which aims to enhance its use in education and culture. The recent donation by Dr. Sovu reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Kiswahili’s presence in academic institutions, particularly in neighboring countries like Rwanda, where the language is increasingly being integrated into educational curricula.
