Cultural Institutions want Traditional Leaders Act translated into mother tongue

Kampala, Uganda: Cultural institutions across Uganda are pushing for the translation of the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act (Cap 242) into local languages, with the Bugisu Cultural Institution leading efforts to engage the Uganda Law Reform Commission.

The spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Steven Masiga, told DailyExpress that he recently met the Executive Director of the Uganda Law Reform Commission, Jackline Okune, in Kampala to advocate for the translation of the law into Lumasaba.

Masiga said the initiative aims to improve understanding of the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act among elders and community members who are direct beneficiaries of the legislation but struggle with English, the language in which most Ugandan laws are drafted.

“Law Must Be Understood by Its Beneficiaries”

Masiga argued that many conflicts involving traditional leaders stem partly from limited understanding of the law governing cultural institutions. “Community conflicts on traditional and cultural institutions are partly due to the inability of understanding this law, which is couched in foreign language,” he said.

He added that translating the Act into mother tongues would not only ease comprehension but also celebrate and preserve indigenous languages.

“If schools are teaching our language to children, how can we subject our elders to read Ugandan laws in English, which is laced with ambiguities?” Masiga asked, noting that language preservation is a constitutional directive.

He added that the Equal Opportunities Commission has expressed willingness to explore pathways for translating the legislation to promote inclusivity and equal access to legal information.

He emphasised that the law must be explained in the most appropriate language communities understand, particularly regarding the roles and responsibilities of traditional leaders and their appointees.

According to Masiga, spokespersons from other cultural institutions have been briefed and are aligned with the push for translations into various local languages across the country.

The move comes amid ongoing discussions about strengthening governance, accountability and community awareness within traditional and cultural institutions nationwide.