Sheebah Karungi Calls Out Grammar Policing: “English Doesn’t Make You Superior.
Ugandan singer and entertainer Sheebah Karungi has ignited a powerful conversation online after calling out what she describes as “grammar snobbery” among Ugandans, urging the public to focus on ideas and talent rather than policing language mistakes.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) late Saturday night, Karungi addressed the tendency of some Ugandans to criticize others for grammatical errors when communicating in English—a language she reminded the nation is not the first language for most citizens.
“Dear Ugandans, English is not our first language. Uganda has 50+ languages, but some of you behave like grammar is the biggest achievement in life,” she wrote.
The musician, known for her candidness, highlighted how online conversations often derail when someone shares a message, only to be met with dismissive comments questioning their English proficiency rather than engaging with the substance of what they’ve said.
“Someone posts a message and instead of understanding the point, you’re busy asking, ‘Are you sure you wrote this? Is this your English?'” she observed.
Karungi’s message went further, challenging the assumption that mastery of English equates to intelligence or success.
“Knowing English doesn’t make you intelligent, successful, or superior. Many people in this country are thriving, building businesses, and changing lives without perfect English,” she asserted, ending her post with the hashtags #LetsTalkAboutIt and #Tukyogereko.
The post has since garnered over 70,000 views and sparked widespread reaction. Supporters praised the singer for challenging colonial-era mindsets that continue to place English on a pedestal above Uganda’s 50+ indigenous languages. For them, Karungi’s words resonated as a call for greater respect and a shift toward valuing substance over linguistic form.
However, the conversation has also drawn counterpoints. Critics argue that while intent matters, clarity in communication is essential for effective exchange. Some have questioned why more Ugandans don’t choose to communicate in local languages if they fear judgment over their English.
As the discussion continues to trend, Karungi’s intervention has opened a broader dialogue about language, class, and the markers of intelligence and success in a multilingual society.
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