Runyankole Language Set to Debut on Wikipedia

Uganda’s rich linguistic heritage is set to expand its digital footprint with the upcoming launch of Runyankole on Wikipedia. The Wikimedia Community User Group of Uganda has been diligently working to create a Runyankole domain, marking a significant step in documenting and preserving local culture online.

This endeavor follows the successful implementation of a Luganda Wikipedia, and the group has ambitious plans to include Acholi next year, with further aspirations to incorporate more Ugandan languages. Michael Kaluba, executive director of the Wikimedia Community User Group of Uganda, highlighted the importance of local voices in shaping the narrative about Uganda, noting that much of the existing online information is contributed by foreigners.

“We provide accurate information about Ugandan content. We document that information,” Kaluba stated, emphasizing that the content will be open-source and freely accessible. He further stressed that language is intrinsically linked to culture, and its preservation is paramount.

Christopher Liberty, the project lead for the Runyankole Wikipedia content, explained that the translation process began last year, involving a dedicated committee, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kabale University, and a translation technology provider. A team of 300 volunteer editors worked to translate existing English content into Runyankole, ensuring grammatical accuracy and factual correctness.

Despite achieving 1,300 articles in Runyankole, the launch is pending evaluation by the Wikimedia Foundation’s language committee. The group faces challenges in recruiting sufficient volunteers, underscoring the need for broader community engagement to sustain these crucial documentation efforts.

“We had a team of 300 volunteers translating. To date we have 1,300 articles in Runyankole,” Liberty confirmed, expressing hope for approval before the year’s end. The initiative aims to empower Ugandans by making information readily available in their native tongues, countering the erosion of cultural practices due to modernization and the dominance of foreign narratives.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/runyankole-to-go-live-on-wikipedia-5585682