Irene Namubiru appointed French language ambassador

KAMPALA - As part of its mission to promote the French language and Francophone culture in Uganda, the Embassy of France has named Irene Namubiru the French language Ambassador on the music and arts scene.

Renown tourism enthusiast Suzan Kerunen has also been appointed a goodwill Ambassador for the French language in the tourism industry.

The Embassy in collaboration with Bonjour Kampala web radio named the two Ambassadors for their contribution to promoting French in the arts and entertainment industry.

The French Ambassador, Jules-Armand Aniambossou, revealed that it is important for Ugandans to learn French which is the fourth most important language in the world.

"You are near the biggest French capital in the world; Kinshasa where you can do business. We need to connect with those in West African countries and the French community worldwide through learning French," Aniambossou said.

The language is also compulsory in international agencies, with about 67 million people speaking it.

He challenged artists to contact the embassy and see which ways it can help them.

"If you need a recording studio or anything tell us on how we can help you," Aniambosssou said.

The naming of the two ambassadors is part of the wider process of identifying and naming Ambassadors for the French language in different sectors.

Singer Namubiru said she was very honoured to be the ambassador of the French language.

"I will do my level best to take it to the next level since it is a language of tourism, business, and music among others," Namubiru said.

At the moment, through collaborations with Alliance Francaise Kampala, the embassy will train several tour guides and journalists to speak the French language.

Promoting the French language is a top priority of Ambassador Aniambossou.