This archive report was first published on 30 July 2020.
Uganda's capital city, Kampala, has a peculiar problem - the English language has become a byword for deceit and corruption. This is a far cry from the language's original connotation of being well-educated and polished.
Joachim Buwembo, a seasoned writer, has spent 31 years of his life arranging English words, but he is appalled by the language's current reputation in his country. He attributes the decline of English to the growth of white-collar crime, grand corruption, deceit, and senseless looting.
Land grabbing, for instance, starts with manipulating documents using corrupt lawyers, all in English. Similarly, mind-boggling corruption that removes billions of shillings from service delivery into the pockets of a few corrupt individuals is also committed with documents drafted in English.
Even the wanton conmanship by criminals with no political connection is mostly committed in English. One prominent conman rose through the ranks by using a fake British accent to convince victims that he was the 'investor' they were representing.
But why has English become synonymous with conmanship in Kampala? Buwembo suggests that it's because the language is often used by conmen to fleece the public. He recalls a phrase used by touts who call passengers at bus stages: 'Since when don't enter,' which is used to disallow any questioning of increased fares.
Even honest artisans use the word 'English' to admit failure to perform a task the client wants. Many Kampala mechanics today struggle with the electronics of modern vehicles, and an honest mechanic will tell a client, 'There is a lot of English in your car's systems,' advising them to take the car to a better-equipped garage.
However, Buwembo believes that young people should not be deterred by the current abuse of English. He argues that the time for honesty, transparency, and clean energy is around the corner, and those who learn the 'English' of vehicles powered by electricity will remain in vehicle servicing and repair.
