Arusha — A renewed call has been made to use Kiswahili for regional integration in East Africa.

Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) acknowledged on Wednesday that with growing interest, the language has a big role in uniting people in the region.

“Besides promoting unity among the EAC populace, Kiswahili is a critical medium of communication that will facilitate trade in the region,” said Patricia Hajabakiga a legislator from Rwanda.

She made the remarks during a debate of the Report on Sensitisation exercise which is underway in all the five East African Community (EAC) member countries.

Her remarks were supported by Mr Mike Sebalu from Uganda, who rooted for Kiswahili as the key language that bonds and enables the citizens of the region to communicate effectively and efficiently.

The report presented by Ms Hajabakiga, Chair of Eala Rwanda Chapter, is a culmination of outreach and sensitisation activities carried out in the partner states by the various country Chapters of the regional Assembly in June this year.

The activities held between June 9, and 28, 2016, were anchored under the theme: EAC Youth Agenda: Accessing the Gains.

Source: All Africa

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