Those Important Ugandan Greetings in Luganda:

In the morning you just do not say Good morning but how was your night?  When someone comes back from a days work one will ask, how was your day? and the same in the evening.

• Good Morning:  Wasuze otya nno?

• Good afternoon or Good Evening: Osiibye otya nno? 

Some other greetings depending on day or night as you  leave or come are:

• Hi:  Ki kati the ki is pronounced Chi

• How are you?:  Oli Otya 

• The answer is -I am ok: Gyendi the G here is pronounced like a j

• Have nice day:  Siiba bulungi  the g like a j

• Good night when going to bed or leaving for the night:  Sula bulungi

• Saying goodbye to one person: Weeraba

• Saying goodbye to more than one person:  Mweraba

• Welcome to one or several people:  Tukusanyukidde

• See you later:  Tunaalabagana

Those nice and other things to say:

• Please:  Mwattu

• Thank you:  Weebale

• Thank you very much:  Weebale Nnyo

• Please come in:  Mwattu yingira

• Excuse me in order to get someone's attention:  Owange

• Please sit down:  Mwattu tuula wansi

• Pardon me, what did you say?:  Wangi or Ogamby Ki?

• apologize by saying I am sorry:  Nsonyiwa

• OK:  Kale

• No thanks:  Nedda

• I do not know:  Simanye

• What time is it?:  Sawa mmeka?

• How much is it?:  Mmekka Ssente?

• I do not have any money: Sirina Sente

• I love you: Nkwagala

• I am:  Nze (your name)

Addressing People:

• Madam: Nyabo

• Sir:  Ssebo

Sharing your feelings:

I am:

• angry:  ndi munyiivu

• cold:  mpulira empewo

• am full:  ndi mukkufu

• happy:  ndi musanyufu

• hot:  mpulira ebbugumu

• hungry:  Enjala ennuma

• sad:  ndi munakuwavu

• scared: ntidde

• sick:  ndi wulwadde

• thirsty:  ennyonta ennuma

• tired:  nkooye

• worried: ndi mweraliikirivu

Communication:

• Do you speak English?:  Omanyi olungereza

• Yes, I do:  Weewawo

• No, I do not:  Nedda

• Does anyone here speak English?:  Wano waliwo amanyi olungereza?

• Do you understand?  Otegeera?

• I understand:  Ntegeera

• I don't understand:  Sitegeera

• Please speak slowly: Ekigambo ekyo kimpandiikire

• I like:  Njagala

• I do not like: Saagala

This will get you going and hopefully when you get here, you will be able to expand you Luganda vocabulary.  Look forward to seeing you in Uganda.

This Year Experience Africa-Discover its Pearl-Uganda

Last updated: 04 January 2009

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