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Survival Phrases – Communicating in Luganda when visiting Uganda (Kampala)

One of the most fun things to do when visiting a new country is to learn its local language. In Uganda, there are several tribes of people and therefore lots of different local languages, depending on where you travel to in Uganda.

If you are based in Kampala city, as it is located in the Buganda Kingdom, the local language would be Luganda, however, as different types of people have settled in Kampala city, you’ll find a long list of languages that are spoken. In fact, Swahili is probably a language that is spoken by most locals despite not even originating in Uganda (It originated from Kenya).

You can always try your luck and practise a bit of Luganda and see where it leads you. If that does not work, then everyone speaks English so you have a back up language anyway 🙂

P.S: We’ll also write up a list of these essential phrases in Swahili incase you would like to have fun with that as well!

We have highlighted a few phrases that you may want to use when travelling around Kampala city. In brackets, you’ll find the nearest equivalent of the English phrase in Luganda.

1. Hello/How are you (Oliotya)
2. I’m fine (Gendi)
3. Thank you very much (Webale Nyo – if you are talking to one person; Mwebale Nyo – if you are talking to several people)
4. Madam (Nyabo)
5. Sir (Ssebo)
6. You’re welcome Madam (Kale Nyabo)
7. Goodbye/See you soon (Nja Kulaba Edda)
8. I’m sorry (Nysonyi wa)
9. My name is …… ( Nze ……..)
10. Nice to meet you sir (Nsanyuse Okulaba Ssebo)
11. Where are you from? (Ovaa wa?)
12. I’m from …. (Nva…)
13. Do you speak ……? (Oyogera ……?)
14. I speak a little (Njogera lu tono)
15. How much? (Meka?) p.s ask when shopping, taking local transport, buying gifts/souvenirs etc
16. Could you recommend a place to eat? (Omanyi wa we nsobola okulya?)
17. Could I see the menu? (Nsaba ku menu)
18. Could I order….. (Mpa….)
19. How do I get to Prestige Hotel Suites? (Ntuka ntya ku Prestige Hotel Suites?)
20. To the right (Ku dyo)
21. To the left (Ku kono)
22. How long does it take to get to….? (Kitwala banga ki okutuukaku…..?)
23. Could I use your phone? (Nsabaku simu yo)
24. Where are the nearest toilets? (Toyi ziliko wa?)
25. Where are your toilets? (Toyi zamwe ziliko wa?)
26. What is there to see around here? (Mulina yo biki ebisanyusa ebyokulabako?)
27. Can I buy you a drink? (Nkugulile yo ki?)
28. Yes (Iye)
29. No (Nedda)
30. What time is it? (Zili sawa meka?)

Tags: beginners luganda, common local phrases in kampala, common local phrases in uganda, common phrases in luganda, communicating in luganda, communicating when in uganda, speaking luganda, visiting kampala, visiting uganda