Languages Used

Languages Used

English is widely spoken as the Lingua Franca, though to varying degrees of fluency. British English is the dialect of the most educated, but Ugandan English often takes on a life of its own. Dozens of African languages are spoken in Uganda, the most common being Luganda, which is almost universally understood in Kampala. Swahili may come in handy in places, especially the North and East. Though many Ugandans do not speak Swahili at all, it is a common African trade language.

A few words or stock phrases in the various dialects are very easy to learn and most locals will be delighted to help you learn the highly ritualised greeting, and, in turn, every person that you greet in this way will be delighted to meet you.

oli otya (olio-tia) = how are you

bulungi/gyendi (bulunji/jiendi) = I am fine

kale (kal-eh) = ok

nyabo = madam; ssebo = sir

muzungu = European, but used more commonly to refer to all foreign and, especially, all white people

hujambo = hello, used everywhere

You will hear lots of ecstatic children waving, jumping, hopping and singing “jambo mzungu” as you roll past.