MUBS STUDENTS SHOWCASE MULTILINGUAL POWER THROUGH FOOD, FILM AND CULTURE AHEAD OF ANNUAL LANGUAGE FESTIVAL

KAMPALA –Makerere University Business School (MUBS), under the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Languages, has today staged a vibrant multilingual international food cuisines and film-making event as part of preparations for its Annual Language Festival.

The event, held at the MUBS main campus in Nakawa, brought together students, lecturers, and invited guests to celebrate linguistic diversity and demonstrate the role of languages in business, tourism and international relations.

Speaking at the event, Don Patrick Bugingo the Acting Head of the Department of Business Languages and International Relations at MUBS, emphasized the uniqueness of MUBS in language education.

“We are unique in teaching various languages and today they will exhibit different values. It is very important to know many languages so that in business it helps you to easily transact,” Bugingo said.

Students showcased food, films, music, fashion and cultural exhibitions representing different language communities including French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Kiswahili, and Luganda.

Mr. Joshua Mutyaba a third-year Bachelor of Business Administration student, said the event highlights how language skills enhance employability and cross-cultural business transactions.

The colourful showcase serves as a precursor to the Annual MUBS Language Festival 2026, scheduled to bring together diplomats, language scholars, cultural institutions, and private sector players to celebrate multilingualism as a tool for business growth.

Ankunda Merisa, a Hotel Management student and member of the Chinese Club, said her choice of language studies was deliberate. “I chose the best choice since I’m in the Chinese Club. It can help me doing business in East Africa,” she explained.

Wangira Steven, the ambassador of all the language clubs, revealed that MUBS currently runs five active clubs: French, German, Swahili, Chinese and Arabic. “They produce full-package students who know multiple languages so when hired, companies won’t need interpreters,” he said, urging more students to join the language groups.

MUBS Principal Professor Moses Muhwezi shared ambitious plans for the future of language education at the institution. He said he intends to propose the introduction of university education in local languages, such as teaching entire courses in Luganda or Runyankole so that students can graduate in those languages. “Apart from English, we teach in the five languages,” he added. The principal also expressed hope that MUBS would offer short courses to train other business communities in different languages to ease commercial transactions.

Festival coordinator Mathew Mulambuzi thanked partners for their support and encouraged them to remain involved. He looked ahead to the fourth Language Festival next year and emphasised the critical role of multilingualism in business.

The event underscored MUBS’s commitment to producing graduates who can navigate both local and international markets with ease, equipped with the linguistic tools that open doors across cultures and borders.

Makerere University Business School is a leading business and management institution in Uganda, renowned for integrating foreign languages into business training to prepare graduates for the global market.