ugnet_: Microsoft plans Kiswahili software for East Africa

[Edward Mulindwa]

Story by ZEDDY SAMBU   Publication Date: 04/23/2004  Microsoft software products will for the first time have Kiswahili options. The project, to be launched within the next five months, will be included in the latest software applications, Windows XP and MS Office 2003. The three-phase programme will cover more than 100 million people in East Africa. Due to lack of a simplified language, most users find it difficult to interact with most operating systems. This has contributed to the technological gap between rural and urban areas. Microsoft country manager, Mr Louis Otieno, launched the Microsoft Local Language Programme at the company's offices in I&M building in Nairobi yesterday. He said the project will enhance various programmes in major universities. These include initiatives to standardise the Kiswahili language, spoken in six Eastern Africa countries. "We will first assess the existence of a glossary and accelerate it to completion within the next 8-12 months," Mr Otieno said. The first and hardest step, that involves development of a glossary of standard words considered legitimate by the Government and other bodies, is to be completed in two months.   The Mulindwas Communication Group "With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy"             Groupe de communication Mulindwas "avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie"