Greetings
Luganda greetings are time-sensitive. Using the right one at the right time of day signals respect and earns an immediate warm response.
- Wasuze otya nno? Good morning. Literally: how was your night?
- Osiibye otya nno? Good afternoon or good evening. Literally: how has your day been?
- Oli otya? How are you?
- Gyendi. I am fine. The standard response to "Oli otya."
- Siiba bulungi. Have a nice day.
- Sula bulungi. Good night.
- Weeraba. Goodbye.
- Tunaalabagana. See you later.
Basic Courtesy
- Weebale. Thank you.
- Weebale nnyo. Thank you very much.
- Mwattu. Please.
- Nsonyiwa. I am sorry.
- Kale. Okay or alright.
Essential Communication
- Oyogera oluzungu? Do you speak English?
- Sikutegera. I do not understand you.
- Erinnya lyo gwe ani? What is your name?
- Erinnya lyange nze... My name is...
- Ova wa? Where are you from?
- Nze nva... I am from...
- Ekyo kye ki? What is that?
- Njagala... I want... For example, "Njagala amazzi" means I want water.
People
Knowing these words will help you address people respectfully and understand what is being said around you.
- Nyabo. Madam.
- Ssebo. Sir.
- Omukazi. Woman.
- Omusajja. Man.
- Omulenzi. Boy.
- Omuwala. Girl.
- Omwaana. Child.
- Omuzungu. White person. Plural: Abazungu. You will hear this frequently if you are a visitor of European descent. It is not an insult, simply a descriptor.
Numbers
Learning numbers will help you follow prices, negotiate fares, and count change.
- Emu – 1, Bbiri – 2, Ssatu – 3, Nnya – 4, Ttaano – 5, Mukaaga – 6, Musanvu – 7, Munaana – 8, Mwenda – 9, Kkumi – 10
- Amakumi abiri (Abiri) – 20, Amakumi asatu (Asatu) – 30, Amakumi ana (Ana) – 40, Amakumi ataano (Atano) – 50, Nkaaga – 60, Nsanvu – 70, Kinaana – 80, Kyenda – 90, Kikumi – 100
- To count numbers in between tens, take the ten and add the base number using "mu": Abiri mu emu – 21, Asatu mu ttaano – 35, Ana mu bbiri – 42
Days and Time
- Mmande. Monday. Lwakubiri. Tuesday. Lwakusatu. Wednesday. Lwakuna. Thursday. Lwakutaano. Friday. Lwamukaaga. Saturday. Ssande. Sunday.
- Saawa mmeka? What is the time? To give the time, simply say "Saawa" followed by the number, e.g. "Saawa emu" is one o'clock, "Saawa bbiri" is two o'clock, and so on using the numbers above.
Money
Uganda's currency is the Uganda Shilling. Knowing the Luganda names for denominations will help you follow conversations at markets and with boda-boda riders.
- Lukumi. 1,000 shillings. Nkumi biri. 2,000 shillings. Nkumi ttaano. 5,000 shillings. Mutwalo gumu. 10,000 shillings. Mitwalo ebiri. 20,000 shillings. Mitwalo etano. 50,000 shillings.
- Sente mmeka? How much is it?
- Mmekka? How much? A shorter, quicker version used at markets and for boda-boda fares.
- Otunda ssente mmeka? How much are you selling it for?
- Sirina ssente. I do not have money.
- Tonziba. Do not cheat me. Use this when you suspect you are being overcharged. Knowing this word alone will change how vendors interact with you.
- Kuchusa ssente. Currency exchange.
Food and Drink
These words connect directly to the food guide. Use them when ordering at a market, restaurant, or roadside stall.
- Emmere. Food.
- Amazzi. Water.
- Njagala okulya. I want to eat.
- Njagala okunywa. I want to drink.
- Njagala... I want... Follow this with any food or drink name from the food guide, e.g. "Njagala katogo" means I want katogo.
Transport
- Tugende. Let us go.
- Wano. Here. Use this when you have reached your destination on a taxi or boda-boda to signal the driver to stop.
- Wano Ssebo. Here, sir. The form you will use most often since the majority of taxi and boda-boda drivers are men.
- Wano Nyabo. Here, madam. Use this on the rare occasion your driver is a woman.
- Njagala okugenda e... I want to go to... Follow this with your destination.
- Nsaba onsobole okundaga ekkubo erigenda e... Please, can you show me the way to... Follow this with your destination.
A note on transport: motorcycle taxis are called boda-bodas. Shared minibus taxis are the most common form of public transport in Kampala. For private hire, ride-hailing apps such as Uber operate in the city and are a safer and more straightforward option for visitors.
Taking Photos
- Nsobola okukuba ekifaananyi? May I take a photo? If you want to take someone's photo at a market, taxi park, or anywhere in public, ask first. Not everyone will say yes. Respect the answer either way.
Health, Emergency and Safety
Learn these before you need them. If you are in trouble, these words are your first resource.
- Poliisi. Police.
- Ddwaliro. Hospital.
- Ndi mulwadde. I am sick.
- Ndi mulwadde w'omutwe. I have a headache.
- Ndi mulwadde w'olubuto. I have a stomachache.
- Nneetaaga omusawo. I need a doctor.
- Ntwale mu ddwaaliro. Take me to the hospital.
- Ntwala ku poliisi. Take me to the police.
- Nnyamba nsaba. Help me please.
- Osobola okunnannyamba? Could you please help me?
- Nze mbuze. I am lost.
- Kitebe. Embassy. For any country, say "Kitebe kya" followed by the country name, e.g. "Kitebe kya Amerika" for the American embassy.
A final word. Luganda is not difficult to pronounce once you hear it spoken. The words listed here will not make you fluent. They will make you respectful, and in Uganda, that goes a long way.
To YAHUAH GOD be all glory, for the diversity of peoples, languages, and cultures He has made.
PS. If you have not yet read the safety guide or the food guide, both are worth your time before you arrive.