A language is a tool for the transmission of information. Uganda is culturally diverse with as many as 56 recognised ethnic groups, each speaking a unique language sometimes known as a dialect. Uganda’s official language is English, but because of high illiteracy levels, few people fully understand it and use it. Legally, Kiswahili is the second official language; however, the language has not picked up in the country to the same degree that it has in neighbours, Kenya and Tanzania, and only the security organs use it.
Uganda’s languages can be categorized as Bantu, Nilo-Saharan, and Nilotic.
The central Region of Uganda is a home to Baganda, Luganda speakers.
Western Uganda is home to the Bantu speakers, and has 3 dominant languages, Runyoro, Rutoro and Runyankore (known as the 3Rs), which are native to Bunyoro Kingdom, Tooro Kingdom and the defunct Ankore Kingdom, respectively. In the region, there are other languages such as Rukiga, Rufumbira, Lukonzo, Twa/pygmy language (indigenous minority group) and Lugungu, among others.
West Nile is dominated by Lugbara, Madi, Alur, and Jonam. Lendu are the indigenous minority.
Northern Uganda is dominated by the Acholi and Lango languages.
Eastern Uganda is dominated by Teso, Lusoga and Lumasaba languages.
Bugungu Heritage and Information Centre Troupe entertaining people.
Despite English and Kiswahili languages being the official languages, Luganda has become the de facto lingua franca of Uganda. Luganda is spoken by the largest ethnic group in Uganda, the Baganda, whose Kingdom, Buganda, has very highly organised administrative structures that promote the indigenous language and culture of the community. Contemporary Ugandan music is mostly in Luganda and some non-Baganda artistes have been forced to sing in Luganda in order to have national coverage and become national stars. The video jockeys who translate movies into Luganda have increased the popularity of the language as they are preferred by the semi-illiterate and the illiterate.
The discovery of oil in Western Uganda has made the translation of documents into the local languages, Lugungu, Runyoro and Alur, almost mandatory for the oil companies and other players like Civil Society
Organisations.
Uganda is also home to the recognised indigenous minority groups such as Batwa also known as Pygmies, IK, Thur, and Kebu and many other unrecognised ones.
Women from Kibiro Salt village taking salt to the market place. Salt is extracted using traditional methods by women.
Why you need Ugandan languages translator.
Ugandan translators are well versed with the etiquettes of the country, for example, while in the South-Western part of the country, greetings are incomplete without a double hug and in the rest of the country a firm handshake. Ugandans love respect, too, while going to meet a Ugandan, it is very important to know the profession of that person you are going to meet because titles come in handy and if they are not qualified, the title “Mr., Madam, Miss” are key.
For the above reasons we are the most qualified to translate for you as we have an in-depth knowledge of cultural aspects.
Text and Photos: Kiiza Wa’Ugungu
