Event:Kabale University/Runyankore‑Rukiga Wikimedia Launch 2025
Kabale University/Runyankore‑Rukiga Wikimedia Launch 2025
Date: 23 August 2025
Location: Kabale University, Kabale District, Uganda
Theme: Digitising Our Heritage, Building Our Community
Overview
[edit]The Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda (WCUGU) and Kabale University are organising a one‑day event to launch both the Runyankore/Rukiga Wikipedia Incubation Project and the Wikimedia Club at Kabale University.
This collaboration will introduce students and local scholars to Wikimedia projects, build a community of volunteer editors and translators, and kick‑off the development of a Runyankore Wikipedia (ISO 639‑3 code nyn).
Background
[edit]Wikipedia has become a critical platform for preserving and disseminating knowledge globally. However, many African languages remain underrepresented or entirely absent. Runyankore, a Bantu language spoken by millions in southwestern Uganda, is among these underrepresented languages.
While our initial plan focused on Runyakitara, or Runyankore/Rukiga, the combination lacks an ISO 639 code, disqualifying it from incubation on Wikipedia. Runyankore, on the other hand, holds an ISO code - 'nyn', making it eligible for a dedicated Wikipedia version. This project proposes the incubation of a Runyankore Wikipedia to preserve cultural heritage, enhance local content, and increase digital participation among native speakers.
We chose Runyankore because it has more speakers generally, and as per Rev Prof. Manuel Muranga John Kamugisha’s guidance, Runyankore and Rukiga are highly intelligible and legible, so native speakers of either are welcome. We have already initiated the Incubation portal: https://incubator.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wp/nyn that will be used for translation and content development.
Objectives
[edit]- Launch and maintain a Runyankore/Rukiga Wikipedia incubation portal.
- Develop an initial base of around 300 high‑quality articles (about 150 translations and 50 originals).
- Identify and train about 50 core student participants from Kabale University, starting on 30 August 2025.
- Involve Runyankore/Rukiga lecturers and language experts to review and improve content.
- Establish a Runyankore/Rukiga Wikimedia Society (Club) at Kabale University to sustain language‑development efforts and expand contributions to related projects such as Wikibooks, Wiktionary and Wikiquote.
- Include proverbs, literature and works like those of Festo Karwemera on appropriate Wikimedia projects.
Key activities
[edit]- Content creation and translation: Translate 150 essential articles from English Wikipedia and create 50 original articles on local culture, history and language.
- Training and capacity building: Host online and in‑person workshops to train new editors, support the core student team and develop editing guidelines.
- Community engagement and promotion: Conduct awareness campaigns through local media and social platforms and build the Kabale University Runyankore/Rukiga Society.
- Editathon and review: Organise community editathons and facilitate expert reviews to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Implementation timeline
[edit]July to December 2025
Project Lead
[edit]Christopher Liberty
Agenda
[edit]| Time | Session | Facilitator/Speaker |
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast | Service Provider |
| 9:00 – 9:10 AM | Arrival and Registration | Organizing Team |
| 9:10 – 9:25 AM | Official Opening Remarks | Kabale University Representative |
| 9:25 – 10:00 AM | What is the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda (WCUGU) | Will |
| 10:00 – 10:30 AM | Overview of the Runyankore/Rukiga Incubation Project | Chris |
| 10:30 – 11:00 AM | Reflections on Language, Culture, and Wikipedia | Rev Prof. Muranga Kamugisha |
| 11:00 – 12:00 PM | Understanding Wikipedia: Vision, Policies, and Community | Baluku |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Practical session: Translating and Creating Articles on the Incubator | Michael & Baluku |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Lunch | All Present |
| 2:00– 3:00 PM | Practical session: Translating and Creating Articles on the Incubator (Cont’d) | Michael & Baluku |
| 3:00 – 4: 00 PM | Launching the Runyankore/Rukiga Wikimedia Society at Kabale University | Drake |
| 4:00 – 4:15 PM | Evening Tea | Service Provider |
| 4:00 – 4:30 PM | Expectations from students | Kabale University students |
| 4:30 – 5:00 PM | Closing speeches | Baluku, Kab Management |