Luganda Lessons

LESSON # 1
Pronunciation/Greetings

As you prepare to come to our beautiful country, let's start learning some Luganda! First of all Luganda is not the national language but it is commonly spoken especially in Kampala, in fact it is the language of business. People in Mukono also speak Luganda. However, in the Bead village there are both luganda speakers and luo speakers. I do not speak luo - I just know a few phrases; 'hello', 'how are your children' etc.

Pronunciation
Before we go to the phrases, let me tell you the sound of the vowels so that you know how to pronounce words.
A - Sounds like the a in ant
E - Like e in elephant
I - like i in ink
O - like o in oval
U - like oo in book

Greetings
1. Hello/Hi/How are you? Olyotya (o-lyo-tya)

2. Hello/ Hi/ How are you sir/ madam? (Usually greet this way to people you are not familiar with i.e. those you've met for the first time).
Olyotya ssebo/ Nyabo- hello sir/ madam (o-lyo-tya sse-bo/ Nya-bo)
The answer to this greeting is: I am fine.
Bbulungi (Bbu-lu-ngi)

3. If you want to say I am fine, and you?
Bbulungi, ate gwe? (Bbu-lu-ngi -ate - gwe)?
*And here remember the 'a' is not as in ate food but as in ant.

4. Good morning sir/ Madam
Wasuze otya ssebo/ nyabo? (Wa-su-ze -otya sse-bo/ nya-bo)
The answer to this greeting is: (I am fine)
Bbulungi

5. How is everyone at home?
Abeeka Bali batya? (a - bee-ka ba-li ba- tya?)
*When there is a double vowel, then there is prolonged pronunciation
The answer to this question: (they are fine)
Bali bulungi

6. Thank you very much!
Webale nyo (we-ba-le nyo)

Lesson #2
Introductions

I am called Jennifer - Nze Jennifer (Nze is pronounced nze together not n-ze)

And you? - Ate gwe? Or Elinya lyo gwe ani? - What is your name?

I am happy to see you - Nsanyuse okukulaba (singular)/ okubalaba (plural)

How is everyone at home? - Abeeka bali batya? Note: here it is usual to ask this question i.e. it is not considered intrusive

They are fine - Bali bulungi

We are happy to be here/ it gives us joy to be here - Kyasanyu okubera wano

Let us build together - Tuzimbe wamu

Thank you - Weebale (singular)/ Mwebale (plural)

Goodbye - Weeraba (singular)/Mweraba (plural)

Lesson #3
At the restaurant/ food

I would like some tea - Njagalayo chai

And also bread - n'omugati

May I have the menu - mpaku menu

I would like some water- mpaku mazzi

Passion fruit juice - obutunda

Orange juice - emicungwa

Tilapia fish - Tilapia