Institute of Language Studies

Dr. Majariwa David
Dean

Due to the regional cooperation under the East African Community, there is a need for teaching and learning of the languages spoken in the member countries; languages such as Kiswahili, French, and English, in order to ease trade, movement of people and human resource for the labour market. The need also exists in neighboring countries such as DRC. There is a necessity for international languages in order to work in the tourist industry and international bodies.

The UN languages such as Arabic, Spanish, and French are almost a must for language students at higher levels of learning. Chinese has recently gained prominence due to the fact that China has gained capacity as a world leader in trade. Runyakitara also has its place because it comprises of Bantu languages spoken in Western Uganda, Northwest Tanzania and Eastern DRC. Altogether the population that speaks these languages is estimated at 15 million. This is a big area population important for social-economic development.

The location of Kabale university, with such proximity with Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) provides a unique feature for business as well as cross-cultural exchange. The Knowledge of these languages is and will always be important to this region and the world at large.

Vision
To be the nucleus of language teaching and learning in Africa.

Mission
To teach, train, carry out research, provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning of national and international languages; and offer unique language-related services such as translation and interpretation.

Collaborations with other Universities.
Kabale University has a memorandum of understanding with Ngozi University of Burundi for a one-month student exchange programme in a linguistic perfection course. Students from Ngozi University come to Kabale University to perfect their English language and students from Kabale University go to Ngozi University to perfect their French language.

Director’s Message

Welcome to the Institute of Language Studies! Human life is not possible without language. Our languages are the best vehicles of our heritage from the past and of our communication in the present and the future. At Kabale University we believe in the importance of preserving and developing our own native languages, even as we believe in the importance of learning other people’s languages.

Thus, located as we are in south-western Uganda, we teach Runyakitara (or Rukiga, Runyankore, Rutooro, Runyoro and the other Ugandan, north-western Tanzanian and eastern Congolese languages that are highly mutually intelligible with these four), plus Swahili, English and French. But we are also considering opportunities to teach German and Chinese.

In each language discipline we teach the language itself, plus the literature of the speakers of that language, as well as other aspects of the life and culture of those people. Within each discipline we teach translation theory and practice since this skill is basic for communication in our multilingual and multicultural world. For those students who are committed to their studies and do well, there are many jobs in the multidimensional language industry both locally and globally.

For those who love their mother tongues and take them seriously, there are, besides teaching in secondary schools and tertiary institutions, opportunities in drama, journalism (newspaper, radio and television), translation, editing, writing, research in areas like lexicography (dictionary-making) and teaching mother tongue to foreigners. We want to “grow” our own Shakespeares, Charles Dickenses, etc. to complement what the Benedikto Mubangizi’s and Festo Karwemera’s have achieved.

We even want to be able to develop pure science, medical, engineering etc. textbooks and other works in our mother tongues. Language studies are some of the most exciting academic disciplines and they are a key to almost everything. The fact that the cross-cutting English communication proficiency course must be taken by each student in the University and even in all other universities in our country, no matter what they are studying, tells you why mastery in language is such an essential thing in determining success. Welcome to the world of languages!

Programmes

Masters degrees
Programme	Code	Duration	Study time
Master of Arts in Linguistics	MAL	2 Years	Weekend/Holiday
Master of Arts in Literature	MLT	2 Years	Weekend/Holiday
Master of Arts in Kiswahili	MAK	2 Years	Weekend
Bachelors degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Creative and Performing Arts	KCP	3 Years	Fulltime
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication	KMC	3 Years	Fulltime
Undergraduate diplomas
Diploma in Kiswahili	KLK	2 Years	Fulltime

Departments

Staff members

Dr. Majariwa David Dean	PhD in Kiswahili (UDSM), M.A. Linguistics (MUK); BA(A) (MUK), DES(KYU)	View Profile
Rev Prof. Manuel Muranga John Kamugisha Professor	Dr. Phil. “German Literature (Goethe-Institute) German Teacher Training Seminary course, (Goethe Institute University of Munich.) B.A. (Hons.) with Diploma in Educ (Mak).	View Profile
Prof. Ruth Mukama Gimbo Professor	PhD. General Linguistics	View Profile
Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire Professor-Runyakitara & French	PhD-Linguistics(Sorbonne Nouvelle), MA-Linguistics(Sorbonne Nouvelle), Bed-French(Sorbonne Nouvelle)	View Profile
Assoc. Prof. Abubakar Kateregga Associate Professor-French	PhD in Linguistics(University of Rouen), M.Phil(Stendhal University Grenoble 3), M.Ed Language Education (MAK), PGDE(MAK), BA(MAK)	View Profile
Assoc Prof. Benon Guarantee Kabanyete Tugume Associate Professor-Literature	PhD (Mak.), M.A (Mak.), B.A (Mak.) Dip. Ed. (ITEK)	View Profile
Dr. Michael Muhumuza Senior Lecturer - Performing Arts(Drama & Theatre)	PhD-Theatre Studies (Mak), MA-Drama (Mak), BA A (Mak)	View Profile
Dr. Constance Tukwasibwe Lecturer	PhD, Linguistics; M.A. Eng. Lang. Studies; B.A. Eng. Lang. & Hist,	View Profile
Dr. Mutenyo Aidah Lecturer - Kiswahili	PhD -Maseno University	View Profile
Dr. Ocan Johnson Lecturer-English	Ph.D. (Literature in English) MA (TESOL), BA (Hons.).Lit/CSK	View Profile
Dr. Arnold Gawasike Msigwa Lecturer - Kiswahili	PhD Kiswahili Linguistics (Dar), M.A. Kiswahili Linguistics (Dar), BAED (Dar).	View Profile
Dr. Awino Ogelo Lecturer-Linguistics	PhD (SU); MA (UoN); BAED (UoN).	View Profile
Dr. Rajab Idd Muyingo Lecturer - Journalism	PhD, Radio & Television (Marmara University); MA. Mass Communication (King Saud University); Post Graduate Diploma in Management & Teaching at H.E (IUIU); BSc. Mass Communication (IUIU)	View Profile
Dr. Caroline Nabuzale Lecturer - Journalism & Mass Communication	Post Doctoral in Communication North Carolina State University,USA PhD in Mass Communication (JKUAT) Kenya MA in Public Relations and Media Management(CUU&Cavendish College London) BA, EDUC in Literature and English Language (KYU) Uganda.	View Profile
Dr. Joseph Michael Kwanya Lecturer - Literature	PhD (Stellenbosch), MA (Nairobi), BA (Nairobi)	View Profile
Mwesige Felix Assistant Lecturer	M. Ling. French as Foreign Language; BA. Educ; Dip. Educ. Sec	View Profile
Ariho Lucky Assistant Lecturer	PHD CANDIDATE, MA. LIT; BA. ED	View Profile
Kyomukama Christine Assistant Lecturer - French	PhD (Cand) Makerere University; MA. Linguistics (French); BA. Education (French); HETC; eLearning (French),French for Specific Purposes (FOS),DALF C2 Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française, Educational Online Training with Alliance Française Kampala,Certificate in French for Specific Purposes in Tourism,Hotel management, Secretariat and Business from Centre de Linguistique Appliquée de Besançon (CLA)-France .	View Profile
Obuya Godwin Assistant Lecturer	MA.Lit (UCU), BAED (KU)	View Profile
Tusimirwe Philbert Assistant Lecturer - Kiswahili	MAK (IUIU), BAED (KAB)	View Profile
Norbert Walter Assistant Lecturer-English	Certificate in Teaching & Assessing using Bloom's Taxonomy & Case Studies-CUU MA LINGUISTICS-MUK PGDE-IUIU BA (A) MUK	View Profile
Arineitwe Evaristo Assistant Lecturer - English	2025-Certificate in Administrative Law (Short course)-MAK 2025-Runyankore-Rukiga Orthography (Short course)-KAB 2023-Master of Arts in Literature and Communication (MALC)-BSU 2013-Bachelor of Arts with Education-(Eng & Lit)-KAB-	View Profile
Innocent Agume Assistant Lecturer - Kiswahili Languange /Linguistics	MA. Kiswahili (Moi); BEd (KYU); DES (KYU)	View Profile
Esther Ayebazibwe Assistant Lecturer-Journalism & Mass Communication	PhD. Student. JMC (UCU), MAJMS (UCU), MGJ (NLA), BAMC (UCU-BBUC)	View Profile
Ayebare Boniface Martial Assistant Lecturer-French	PhD (Cand), M.Phil (Clermont-Ferrand, France), MA (Rouen, France), PGD (Rouen, France), BA (MAK)	View Profile
Buzaare Constance Mateka Assistant Lecturer - Language & Literature	Master of Education in Language and Literature Education (MAK), Bachelor of Education (UCU), Diploma in Education (ITEK)	View Profile
Joseph Kiva S Assistant Lecturer - Journalism	Ph.D. Candidate, MAJS, UCU, Global Journalism (2015), NLA, Norway, BA Mass Com (2010), UCU.	View Profile
Awino Mary Teaching Assistant	Candidate - M.A. English & Linguitics BA. ED	View Profile
Tusiime Medius Teaching Assistant	MA. Kiswahili (IUIU) BA. Educ(KAB)	View Profile
Ainembabazi Norah Teaching Assistant	BA.	View Profile
Joshua Mugisha Teaching Assistant -Runyakitara	M.A. Linguistics (KAB); BA(A) (MUK)	View Profile
Sylivia Kiconco Lyamuremye Assistant Administrative Officer	BSWSA(UCU);Diploma in Secondary Education( Kyambogo University)	View Profile

Visiting Scholars

	Prof. Egara Kabaji Professor (Visiting Scholar)		View Profile
	Assoc Prof. Mosol Kandagor Associate Professor		View Profile
	Dr. Neema Julius Luhwago Lecturer (Visiting Scholar)		View Profile

Publications

Ocan J, Eton M, Akena FA, and Ayiga N, . (2025) . Johnson, O., Marus, E., Adyanga, A. F., & Ayiga, N. (2023). The experiences and challenges of Doctoral Education in Public Universities compared. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 3(3), 237-252.

J. Kwanya . (2025) . Constructions of Home in the Unhomely: Home-making in Nnedi Okorafor’s Africanfuturist Narratives . Eastern African Literary and Cultural Studies, [online] Volume , pp. 1-17. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23277408.2025.2491272?src=exp-la#abstract

J. Kwanya . (2024) . “We are More Than This”: Counterhistories and Female Voices in Maaza Mengiste’s The Shadow King . Eastern African Literary and Cultural Studies, [online] Volume 11(1), pp. 40-56. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23277408.2024.2409498#d1e119

Olum S, Adyanga FA and Ocan J . (2024) . Theoretical Review of Pay Restructuring in Uganda’s Public Service Health Sector . International Journal of Advanced Research , 7(1), pp. 35-54

J. Kwanya . (2022) . Feminist Imaginings of African Futures: Counterfactual Mythmaking in Nnedi Okorafor’s The Book of Phoenix and Who Fears Death . Literary Geographies, [online] Volume 8(2), pp. 224-240. Available at: https://www.literarygeographies.net/index.php/LitGeogs/article/view/262

I. Agume . (2022) . Msingi wa Umilisi (4) Mwongozo wa Mwalimu . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 144

I. Agume . (2022) . Msingi wa Umilisi (4) Kitabu cha Mwanafunzi . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 99

I. Agume, C. Asiimwe, I.T. Yerindabo . (2022) . Msingi wa Umilisi (3) Mwongozo wa Mwalimu . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 168

I. Agume, C. Asiimwe, I.T. Yerindabo . (2022) . Msingi wa Umilisi (3) Kitabu cha Mwanafunzi . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 112

I. Agume . (2022) . SERA YA LUGHA KATIKA ELIMU NA UKUZAJI WA KISWAHILI NCHINI UGANDA . School of Arts and Social Sciences: Moi University, Eldoret-Kenya, p. 141

J. Kwanya . (2022) . “There is Another Woman in the Story”: Counterfactuality and Re-mythification in Jennifer Makumbi’s Kintu . English in Africa, [online] Volume 49(2), pp. 27-47. Available at: https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.4314/eia.v49i2.2

J. Kwanya . (2022) . “Turning the Fables”: Counterfactuality in Namwali Serpell’s The Old Drift . Research in African Literatures, [online] Volume 53(3), pp. 51-64. Available at: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/3/article/900033

T. Odhiambo, J. Kwanya . (2022) . The ‘Perplexing African in China’: A Reading of Black Ghosts by Ken Kamoche . Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa, [online] Volume 13(1), pp. 63-74. Available at: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jolte/article/view/226545

Majariwa David . (2022) . Upenyezaji na Ukubalifu wa Mkururo wa Konsonanti katika Fonolojia ya Kiswahili: Mifano katika Maneno Yaliyopokelewa kutoka Kiingereza na Kiarabu . MULIKA, 40(1). Dar es Salaam: Taasisi ya Taaluma za Kiswahili, pp. 1-23

David, Majariwa . (2022) . Upokeaji na Ukubalifu wa Vitamkwa vya Kiarabu na Kiingereza katika Fonolojia ya Kiswahili . Kioo cha Lugha, 19(2). Dar es Salaam: Taasisi ya Taaluma za Kiswahili (TATAKI), pp. 137-157

Francis Adyanga Akena, Norma R.A. Romm and Johnson Ocan . (2022) . Economic development for holistic wellbeing in the (post) COVID-19 Era . In: A. Fymat, N. R.A. Romm & Kapalanga J., Covid-19 pandemic: Perspectives across Africa. , pp. 333 - 351

Dr. Denis Sekiwu & Dr. Johnson Ocan . (2022) . Sociology of the COVID-19 Lockdown: Critical Analysis of Its Effects on Private School Teacher Wellbeing . In: , Title: Handbook of Research on Promoting Global Citizenship Education. Johannesburg : IGI Global Publisher of Timely Knowledge , pp. Pages: 22-57

I. Agume, C. Asiimwe, I.T. Yerindabo . (2021) . Msingi wa Umilisi (2) Mwongozo wa Mwalimu . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 222

I. Agume, C. Asiimwe, I.T. Yerindabo . (2021) . Msingi wa Umilisi (2) Kitabu cha Mwanafunzi . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 152

I. Agume, I.T. Yerindabo, C. Asiimwe . (2021) . Msingi wa Umilisi (1) Mwongozo wa Mwalimu . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 222

I. Agume, I.T. Yerindabo, C. Asiimwe . (2021) . Msingi wa Umilisi (1) Kitabu cha Mwanafunzi . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 168

David, Majariwa . (2021) . Ukubalifu wa Silabi Funge katika Fonolojia ya Kiswahili . Mwanga wa Lugha, 6(2). Eldoret: Moi University Press, pp. 113-128

Dr. Arnold B. G. Msigwa . (2021) . Dosari za Kimofolojia zinazojitokeza kwa Wajifunzaji wa Kiswahili kama lugha ya kigeni katika Jamii ya Warundi . In: Editors Andy Chebanne Amani Lusekelo, African Languages Linguistic, Literary and Social Issues A festschrift in honour of Prof. Herman Batibo

Johnson Ocan, Constance Tukwasibwe & Oketch Chrysostom . (2021) . Analysis of Stakeholders Involvement in the Implementation of the M.A. Literature Curriculum at Kabale University Using E-Learning Approach . East African Journal of Education Studies(ISSUE Vol 3 No 1 (2021): ). Nairobi:

Johnson Ocan, Constance Tukwasibwe, Chrisostom Oketch . (2021) . Analysis of Stakeholders Involvement in the Implementation of the M.A. Literature Curriculum at Kabale University Using E-Learning Approach . East African Journal of Education Studies, [online] Volume 3(1). Nairobi: EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, pp. 199-210. Available at: https://journals.eanso.org/index.php/eajes/article/view/384

Dr. Johnson Ocan & Lillian Tindyebwa . (2020) . African Childhood “Reawakened”: Using Cultural Studies Theory in Understanding the Use of Symbolism in Camara Laye’s The African Child. . East African nature & Science Organization , 322021(ISSUE Vol 3 No 2 (2021): ). Nairobi: ENSO, pp. pp. 90-114 Oct. 2021

J. Ocan, F. Ssempala & D.K Olema . (2019) . Postgraduate Research Engagement in Low Resource Settings . In: D.Z. Atibuni. Johannesburg : IGI Global Publisher of Timely Knowledge , pp. Pages: 353

E.K. Ayebazibwe . (2019) . An investigation on the effect of professional training on journalism ethics in Uganda . Nairobi: Centre for Democracy, Research and Development (CEDRED), Nairobi, Kenya, pp. 116-130. Available at: https://kenyasocialscienceforum.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/africa-parading-through-development-by-prof.-maurice-amutabi-ed.pdf

I. Agume . (2018) . Chema Chajiuza . Nairobi: Longhorn Publishers

I. Agume, I.T. Yerindabo . (2018) . Msingi Imara wa Kufundisha Kiswahili Book 2 . Kampala: Fountain Publishers

I. Agume, I. T. Yerindabo . (2018) . Msingi Imara wa Kufundisha Kiswahili Book 1 . Kampala: Fountain Publishers

I. Agume . (2015) . Michezo Shuleni . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, p. 58

I. Agume . (2015) . Rangi Zetu . Kampala: Fountain Publishers

I. Agume . (2015) . Fanya Adabu . Kampala: Fountain Publishers , p. 58

J. Kajoka, D. Were, V. Masaba, L. Yunusu, I. Agume, A. Annensia, A. Gashengeshi . (2014) . Msingi Bora wa Kiswahili . Nairobi: Longhorn Publishers, p. 172

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Manuel Muranga, Alice Muhoozi, Gilbert Gumoshabe . (2012) . Katondoozi ya Runyankore/Rukiga. A Thesaurus of Runyankore/Rukiga. Fountain Publishers. . Kampala: Fountain Publishers, Kampala, p. 420

Arnold Gawasike . (2012) . Dhana ya Uambikaji katika Kiswahili . Kioo cha Lugha, 10. Dar es Salaam: TUKI, pp. 70-78

Manuel Muranga . (1997) . Sprichwoerter aus Uganda im europaeischen Vergleich. Peter Lang Verlag, 1987 . Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Peter Lang Verlag, p. 278

Manuel Muranga . (1987) . Grossstadtelend in der deutschen Lyrik zwischen Arno Holz und Johannes R. Becher. Peter Lang Verlag, 1987 . Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Peter Lang Verlag, p. 389

Projects

Teacher Transformation: “Wellbeing” of Private School Teachers in the post COVID-19 Pandemic In Kigezi in South western Uganda.

Dr. Johnson Ocan, Dr. Businge Phelix Mbabazi and Prof. M.J. K Muranga August, 2022 → September, 2023

Documenting Kinyankore-Kikiga Intangible Cultural Heritage

Bernhard Atuhaire (PI), Manuel Muranga (CoPI), Peter Kanyandago, Misah Natumanya June, 2022

Student's Research

Downloads

Update Date	Title
December 10, 2025	End of Semester I, 2025/2026 Examinations Timetable
October 30, 2025	10th Kabale University Graduation Booklet
September 22, 2025	Ministry of Education and Sports Loan Beneficiaries for the Academic Year 2025/2026
July 14, 2025	Academic Calendar
July 8, 2025	Private Sponsorship Admission List 2025/2026 (Diploma Entry)
July 8, 2025	Private Sponsorship Admission List 2025/2026 (Certificate Entry)
July 8, 2025	Private Sponsorship Admission List 2025/2026 (Direct Entry)
July 8, 2025	Higher Education Certificate (HEC) Admission List 2025/2026
July 8, 2025	Government Sponsorship Admissions List 2025/2026
June 27, 2025	Postgraduate Admission List 2025/2026
May 22, 2025	End of Semester II, 2024/2025 Examinations Timetable
May 15, 2025	End of Semester II, 2024/2025 Postgraduate Examination Timetable
April 1, 2025	Kabale University Brochure
December 5, 2024	End of Semester I, 2024/2025 Examinations Timetable
November 25, 2024	Postgraduate Examination Timetable (December 2024)
November 18, 2024	Guide for Kabale University Staff – How to Update Your Website Profile
November 5, 2024	Preparation for End of Semester Examinations (Nov-Dec 2024)
October 22, 2024	2024 Graduation Booklet for the 9th Graduation Ceremony
August 15, 2024	Kabale University Official PowerPoint Template

All Downloads

Contact Information

Email Address: directoriols@kab.ac.ug
Phone Contacts:

Institute of Language Studies