Languages of Uganda

Languages of Uganda
Warning sign in Luganda, English and Swahili
Official	English[1] and Swahili
National	none
Recognised	Southern Luo, Lugbara, Runyankole, Lusoga, Ateso
Vernacular	Luganda, Ugandan English
Minority	many Bantu and Nilo-Saharan languages; Nubi
Signed	Ugandan Sign Language
Keyboard layout	QWERTY

In Uganda, the most widely spoken language, especially in the capital city Kampala is English, which has been the country's official language since 1962, followed by Luganda. English is used as the medium of instruction in schools — a legacy of the colonial period — and it also serves as the primary language for business and legal affairs.^[2] Swahili is the third most spoken language after English and Luganda. Although more prevalent in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, Swahili is taught in Ugandan schools as an optional subject and is primarily spoken by the military. In 2005, there were discussions about adopting Swahili as a second official language due to its perceived neutrality; however, this proposal has not yet been ratified by the government.^[2] Swahili is also spoken in some communities near the borders with South Sudan and Kenya.^[3]

Uganda is a multilingual country with over 70 estimated languages in active use. Of the 43 living languages documented,^[4] 41 are indigenous and 2 are non-indigenous. These languages fall into four major language families: Bantu, Nilotic, Central Sudanic, and Kuliak. Their status varies: 5 are considered institutional, 27 are developing, 7 are established, 2 are endangered, and 2 are nearly extinct. Uganda is also home to Ugandan Sign Language.