Hello Traveler,
Although 33 local languages are spoken in Uganda, the official language is English, spoken widely by most urban Ugandans, and certainly by anybody with more than a moderate education level. It isn’t uncommon to come across Ugandans from different parts using English to communicate, and most English-speaking visitors to the country will have no problem getting around.
Of the indigenous languages, the most widely spoken is Luganda, which to some extent serves as a lingua franca for the uneducated you come across in the country, mainly in Kampala. So, too, does Swahili (more commonly known as Kiswahili), a Bantu language that is no more indigenous to Uganda than is English.
Luganda is the first language of Baganda, which I am personally a Muganda, singular for someome from Buganda and it is the most widely spoken of the languages indigenous in Uganda. Some of the words and phrases that can be useful to you in Luganda are as follows:
Greetings
Luganda phrase | English meaning |
Oli otya? | How are you? |
Gyendi | I am OK |
Siba bulungi | Have a nice day |
Sula bulungi | Good night |
Weraba | Farewell |
Tunalabagana | See you later |
Webale (nyo) | Thank you (very much) |
Nsonyiwa | Am sorry |
Ssebo | Sir |
Nyabo | Madam |
Mwami | Mr. |
Mukyala | Mrs. |
Jangu wano | Come here. |
Useful phrases
Luganda phrase | English meaning | |
Ova mukitundu ki? | Where are you from? | |
Nva mu England | I am from England | |
Ovude wa? | Where have you come from? | |
Nvude Kamapala | I have come from Kampala. | |
Ogenda wa? | Where are you going? | |
Ngenda Jinja | I am going to Jinja. | |
Eno baasi egenda wa? | Where is this bus heading to? | |
Eno baasi egenda Kabale. | This bus is heading to Kabale. | |
Amanya gwo gw’ani? | What is your name? | |
Nze Ronald | My name is Ronald. | |
Kiriwa? | Where is it? | |
Kiri wala? | Is it far? | |
Kiri kumpi? | Is it near? | |
Olugundo lwe Kampala luliwa? | Where is the road to Kampala? | |
Sente meka? | How much does it cost? | |
Njagala room | I want a room. | |
Olinayo ko…? | Do you have any….? | |
Kino kiyitibwa kitya? | What is this called? | |
Oyogera oluzungu? | Do you speak English? | |
Eno taxi eraga wa? | Where is this taxi heading to? | |
Pronunciation is very similar to Swahili. A detailed phrasebook and dictionary can be viewed online at www.buganda.com.
If you want to learn Luganda, you can hire a private tutor or take classes usually organised by language teaching institutes in Kampala.
