Uglish – Ugandan English – 101 for Visitors to Uganda

Uglish – Ugandan English -101 -Visitors to Uganda are often perplexed by the English they may hear. They do not know the meaning of some words since they are used differently than in their home country or are entirely new and different.

Welcome to Uganda, where you often will find Uglish, a localized version of the English Language being spoken by the President on down who coined the Uglish Phrase – another rap – another Term in office, to the everyday person you meet on the street.

Visitors to the country will often say, “it sounds English, but it has a different meaning.

UgLish expressions are often on the humorous side of life, making them a fun way to learn about Ugandans.

Please Note: A recent study pointed out that Uganda is one of the best English-Speaking countries on the African Continent.

We provide you with some basic Uglish Phrases below and their meaning. Knowing the purpose of the phrases could make a real difference in your understanding of the Ugandan people and the local culture.

 English is one of the official languages of Uganda. However, the English you may encounter at times can leave you perplexed. You will hear things such as “I am going to make a short call, which logically may mean a phone call to you. However, in Uganda, it means going to the Bathroom.

No matter where in the world English is spoken, over time, the English in that particular country develops a unique local flavor. Something that happened in Uganda. The coming of text messages, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp has sped up the ever-evolving Ugandan English -UGLish.

Uglish has become a part of Ugandan culture, and you can see and hear the evidence not only in conversations with Ugandans but in posts on Facebook and tweets on Twitter.

No handwringing of Ugandan Intelligentsia and no lectures on the virtues of the Queen’s English will change things when it comes to the use of the English Language in Uganda. Oddly Speaking, British or American English has become vogue with T.V. and Radio Presenters. Some want to sound British or American, and so-called Slay Queens Beauties hire Coaches to assist them. Yet, most use Ugandans will use smatterings of UgLish in their communications.

Older Ugandans who were educated by the British and shortly after independence will be less likely to use Uglish Phrases. However, President Museveni himself throws a bit of Uglish into his speeches.

UgLish is here to stay. It is now an integral part of local culture. Innovative words spring up on a daily. Mainly with the young.

When it comes to Ugandan authors, writers, reporters, and bloggers, you will find standard British English is used.

Surprisingly, Government and Business Communications are painfully formal to the point of being stiff.

Below you will find Uglish made simple for Visitors – indeed, we will have missed your favorite saying or phrase we will be adding more. Uglish in Uganda has become an art – often leaving visitors perplexed as to what was just said, just like Ugandans would be in the U.K., Australia, Canada, the U.S.

Uglish – Ugandan English – 101 for Visitors to Uganda

I need to make a short-Call

The short-call catches many visitors – some even offer their phone – it means going to the bathroom, washroom, W.C. whatever you call it in your part of the world.

Balance Please

In many other English-speaking countries – one asks for their change, which might not get you anywhere here – here you ask for the Balance.

Eating Money

That refers to a person stealing money through corruption and spending money like there is no tomorrow, going through enormous amounts of money. Eating at the table is when a person takes advantage of their position of power and takes advantage of their office stealing funds.

You are lost

You enter a home, an establishment such as a restaurant, and are greeted with “You are lost.” It is the same as “I’ve missed you” or “have not seen you for a long time.”

Now-now

Now -now merely is urgent, meaning “now” and not later. On the other end, “slowly-slowly” tells someone to have patience.

I’m on the way

You are sitting in a restaurant, and you had a noon luncheon appointment, and there is no sign of the person. You call them on the phone, and you get “I’m on the way,” or I’m reaching there,” sometimes even “I’ve reached,” all the while you will sit there for another hour. The African concept of time is different from the West and based more on relationships than punctuality.

Extend

If you are in a Ugandans way, and they cannot get through, you might hear “extend.” That means to move out of the way, move over. If they want to sit down on the sofa and there is no space, they will ask you to extend. Unfortunately, many visitors will need an explanation of what “extent” means.

Disturbing me

That one is not too hard to figure out. The word disturb means to bother someone to upset someone.

Are we together?

Are we of one mind? Do you understand what I am saying? You might also hear, “You get me?”

Slope down

Getting driving instructions from a Ugandan can often be quite different such as slope left, meaning go downhill to the left. After a while, you will know what is intended.

Borrow me some Money

It merely means “Lend me some money.”

Beep or Flash me

It means to call the other person’s phone with one ringer, beep, or flash, and they call you back using their airtime and paying for the phone call. You will often get one ringer phone call where someone will want you to call them again, and you pay the request.

Well done

It means “thank you for your work.” It is not used in the same context as in the U.K. or U.S. English, where when you have done something out of the

ordinary, you hear “Well done.”

Where is home? Where do you stay?

Where do you come from? Where do you live?

First Come – First Wait

When you ask someone in Uglish to first come – you give them an option to answer with “The first Wait.” Meaning, let me finish what I am doing, and I will come. If you have an urgent need, you ask, “first come – now, now,” adding the moment’s urgency.

Putting on

It does not mean putting on something like a pair of trousers or a dress, but that you are already wearing it.

I am shifting

This means that one is moving from one house to another.