Aiko's Lugbara Dictionary (from Volume 6 onwards)

GOD is great; first and foremost!

TABLE OF CONTENTS (MENU):

Pronunciation Parameters

Word Classes

Vocabulary (A to Z)

Numbers

The LORD's Prayer

Books in the Holy Bible

The 10 Commandments

Lugbara Anthem

Colours

The Verb "Be"

Relationships

Days of the Week

Calendar

Lugbara Proverbs

Riddles

Idioms

Lost in Translation (Dreamcast)

Pronunciation Parameters [Lugbara Phonology]:

Created painstakingly from scratch with gritty nerves on the 3rd Agofe's 90th birthday afternoon (Saturday 26th November 2016) and reinforced (or cleaned) every year, Aiko's Lugbara Dictionary is where the Old and New meet (like Synthetic Imagination). Use Ctrl + F (key combination) to swiftly find any words you want! I'm only human and apologise in advance for any mistakes. So, corrections and suggestions are most welcome via WhatsApp: +256-781-345712 or Email: aikoug@gmail.com! I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in the name of JESUS! 

Every Lugbara word ends with one of the five vowels eg nyanya = tomato; mucele = rice; karoti = carrot; ovakedo = avocado; osu = bean. Letters Q [Kya] and X [Eksa, Alamakanda in Aringa dialect] are not used but four unique ones with an apostrophe are added: 'B, 'D, 'W and 'Y (which all sound like putting H after them though personal names omit the apostrophe). The 28 letters in the Simplified Lugbara Alphabet sound like this: Ah, Ba, Bha, Cha, Da, Dha, Eh, Fa, Ga, Ha, Ii (as in Inn), Ja, Ka, La, Ma, Na, Oh, Pa, Ra, Sa, Ta, Uw (as in yoU), Va, Wa, Wha, Ya, Yha, Za. The original Vocabulary was small because some words have multiple meanings based on three major tones (to five including rising and falling), pronunciation or context eg ai can mean salt (high tone); accept, pray (mid tone); ask (low tone) while ti can mean cow; to drip; mouth, language; to produce and so on. However, new words keep being added to the existing language eg simu = phone; etc. Most nouns can denote both singular and plural (though adding yi after them also does); exceptions include mva [child] which becomes anzi [children]; etc. Adding suffixes -jo, -ko, -ru, -si and -yo to nouns creates new words; verbs also have -ku, -ma, -nga, -ta, -za and -zu. Adjectives follow the Subject eg buku eka = red book. In the entries ahead, semi-colon (;) shows different tones and meanings while goal brackets [] show translation. Lugbara sentences in past tense are structured using the Subject-Verb-Object arrangement like in English, but present continuous and future tenses follow S-O-V though nga [will, shall] is added after the Subject to mark the difference eg YESU ni (nga) 'ba onzi pa [JESUS (will) save sinners]. When words are written together, the intended meanings may not change; so be very keen to spot the mashups...

Some words are borrowed or modified from English plus other languages like Swahili, Luganda, Lingala, etc. Lugbara words are written the same way they are pronounced; repeated letters especially consonants look redundant eg Vurra, Oluffe, Ofudde, Owaffa, Mekki, etc unless very special and meaningful (What you see is what you get)! Diphthong clusters and other noteworthy phonetics include the following:

a as in rat, for example leta-a

c as in church, for example Candiru (though can also be spelt Chandiru)

dj (letter D is silent) as in jilt, for example odji (pronounced oji)

ee (preferably single E) as in emblem, for example andree (also andre)

gb (letter G is silent) as in bend, for example Lugbara (pronounced Lubara)

i as in inn, for example 'di-i (also sometimes written as 'di'i though archaic) 

kp (letter K is silent) as in pen, for example okpo (pronounced opo)

mv (letter M becomes N) as in converse, for example omve (pronounced onve)

oa as in soar, for example Boroa

oo (preferably single O) as in hold, for example ocoo (also oco), not oo as in mood

u as in food, for example o'du

uu (preferably single U) as in chew, for example cuu (pronounced chu)

z (letter Z becomes J after N) as in jean, for example onzi (pronounced onji). Otherwise, most times remains z as in zebra, for example ozu and when the first letter of a word, for example zukulu.

Marks for Simple Tones:

´ High tone eg tí [cow];

- Mid tone eg tī [strangle] (Mid tone is the most common tone in Lugbarati);

` Low tone eg tì [give birth]...

Word Classes include:

1. Ecipiri (Conj[unction])

2. Obi (Adv[erb])

3. Ru (N[oun])

4. Ruparia (Pron[oun])

5. Usuta (Interj[ection])

6. Vutivutia (Post[position] instead of Preposition)

7. Wura (Adj[ective])

8. 'Yeta (V[erb])

 

VOCABULARY (VOLUME):

Aa

a (n) stomach, belly; (prep, suffix) at, (is) in, on, to; (pron) I; we (also Ama) eg A ga si = I have refused

a a (adj) not true, not at all, no (also yo); (prep) across

aa (v) stay, reside (also oa) eg Toro Suru ma Omukama ni aa Foti Poto-a. = Toro Kingdom's King stays in Fort Portal.

aba (adj) many, (v) stray

ababa (n) madness, craziness

Abairo (n) waterfalls on River Asa in Oyufi Village (Wandi Parish within Oluko Subcounty, Ayivu Division of Arua City), transformed by John Acile as a tourist attraction since 2006, found at the end of Waterfalls Road and eastwards below Arise Center

Abaku (n) name meaning "I do not create"

abala (n) competition, betting (also betingi) eg 'Ba ode le abala betingi ni. = Youth love betting competitions.

Abataki Geri (n) Abataki Road (also Mustafa Abataki Geri), road in Anyafio that starts from the junction between Mt. Wati Road and Mvara SS Crescent - perpendicular to Osu River and joins Oda Road eg Horizoni Nasari ni Abataki Geri-a. = Horizon Nursery is on Abataki Road.

abaza (n) confusion, doubt (also abata)

abe (n) handle as of hoe and knife, club

abebe (n) dumb person

Abedju-Azaki (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo

abefe (n) bridge (also alofe, olufe)

abeleso (n) worm eg hookworm

abi (n) wall eg Sakaya, Bosiko, Azita azini Hamoni abi si. = Sakaya, Bosco, Azita and Harmony are building a wall.

Abi Famu (n) Abi Farm, Abi Agricultural Research Development Centre on Rhino Camp Road after Ombaci Satellite Station

abiba (n) charm-possessing witches who can fly on brooms with fire on their bums

Abidrabo (n) male-given name meaning "Grandfather (Ancestor) is dead"

abiri (n) hunger, famine, sorrow (also chandi), suffering (also abiriga)

Abiria (n) female-given name meaning "(Conceived or born) in famine" (male version is Abiriga), village in Arivu (Oluko Subcounty)

abirisi (adj) hungry

abirisi tu (adv) very hungry, hungrily

Abiricaku (n) place south of Mvara Trading Centre before Ushindi Primary School meaning "Hunger does not reach/ is not enough" eg "St. Mark" Kanisa ni Abiricaku-a. = St. Mark's Church is in Abiricaku.

abo (v) bark eg Ocogo ni abo. = A dog barks.

aboku (n) type of fish, abok

aboloto (n) obese, fat person, fat bombola

abudira (n) catapult, Y-shaped slingshot for hitting birds with stones or small rocks (also abidira) eg Dramu ni aria ogbi abudira si. = Dramu shoots birds with a catapult.

Abutze (n) mountain in Metu Subcounty of Moyo District (also Abotzi) at 1574 metres above sea level, highest point in West Nile, near other Moyo mountains like Otze (1,563 m), Ilo (1,410 m), Nyeri, Isi, Dingbulungbulu, Urudri, Legu, Bongi, Limara, etc

a'balao (n) dove (also a'buo)

a'be (n) wrestling, axe 

a'bi (n) grandfather (also a'bipi, abhi, jaja), ancestors, omugurusi, kwaro, Papa Kus; destiny (also pari asizuri) eg Ma a'bi la ki iritro 'bo (Dobo azini Banito). = My grandfathers have both rested already (Dobo and Banito).

a'bianzi (n) descendants, generation(s)

a'bi'ba (n) ancestral ghost spirits eg Luka esu a'bi'ba Goli-a. = Luke found spirits in Goli.

a'bici (n) heartburn

a'bimva (n) descendant 

a'bu (n) valley (also e'bu & i'bu); fatness; covering (also a'buza); (v) cover; fatten eg Amina a'bu ima dribi. = Amina covered her hair.

a'bu mile (n) swamp

a'bua (n) banana, plantain (also a’bugo) eg Munguleni sa a'bua Osu-a. = Munguleni planted bananas in Osu.

a'buo (n) dove 

a'buza (adj) fat, obese (also mere mere) eg Silasi ni a'buza! = Silas is fat!

Aca (n) place near Rhino Camp

acalaka (n) basket eg Tutu 'ba bongo acalaka-a. = Tutu put clothes in the basket.

ace (v) remain; tear

acepiri (n) remainder

aceta (n) remaining (also aceza)

aci (n) fire, light, electricity, energy, WENRECo's Diza, Umeme's Yaka, heat; journey, trip, safari, movement, walk; (v) crush with teeth eg Etu ni aci ide. = The sun creates (solar) electricity.

aci aci (v) share; walked; hot hot (also aciaci)

Aci Injini (n) Electricity Engine, fuel power plant in Osu Village run by WENRECo (West Nile Rural Electrification Company) since the early 2000s supplying electricity to Arua Town before the anticipated Nyagak Dams were finally switched on, the second fuel-powered station was built in Ewuata

Aci inyupiku ri (n) Hell, eternal fire eg Dimitri Azakovu eri o'duko engazu Aci inyupiku ri. = Dimitri Azzakov heard sounds from Hell.

aci ma baka (n) cable, electricity wire (also kebo)

aci waya siri (n) electricity (also aci waya ma-a ri)

acia (adj) in fire; (adv) on a journey

acibe (adj) with fire, hot; with a journey, with a trip, with safari

Acidri (n) male-given name meaning "I suffered"

acife (n) witchcraft, practice of magic, use of spells, invocation of spirits, necromancy, sorcery, shamanism, possession, occult, divination, rituals, incantation, vodou, voodoo, vudu (also enata, jadu, ondrita, andrike) eg Haiti nde acife si. = Haiti wins in witchcraft.

acika (n) smoke

acikulu (n) charcoal

Acile (n) male-given name meaning "Like light" eg Acile oja Abairo Yikuru engazu eli 2006. = Acile changed Abairo Falls since 2006.

acita (n) movement (also aciza)

aco (n) hoe (also e'bu, i'bu), fight, battle; break eg eggs, become lame

Acoli (n) Luo tribe east of Lugbara and northwest of Langi, Acholi people

Acoliti (n) Acholi language eg Bongomini ni Acoliti nze. = Bongomin is speaking Acholi language.

acoza (n) lameness (also acota)

acozaru (adj) lame

ada (adj) true (also adaada, tandi); (v) pour eg Putini ma leta ada! = Putin's love is true!

Adada (n) rock, hill in Tara

Adalafu (n) village near Arua City separated from Jiako by Oli River

adaza (adj) feeble, malnourished; (n) chaff

adi (n) legend, function where multiple generations of Lugbara in a particular clan gather to hear their origin stories plus share meat; (v) abandon, desert; choke eg Martineli ni adi. = Martinelli is a legend.

adi 'dipi (n) historian

Adia (n) name meaning "In war" (also Adiga, female-given name is Adiru)

adisi (n) humour, comedy, chat, fun talk (also adu, andru) eg Tobi Tobayasi "High Voltage" Dingilikudingili ni adisi gba redio-a. = Tobi Tobias "High Voltage" Dingilikudingili is chatting on radio.

Adjumani (n) district east of Moyo across the Albert Nile (also East Moyo) eg Skovia ni aa Adjumani-a. = Scovia stays in Adjumani.

adra (n) fetish (also uri, yakani), violence, anger

adraka (n) poison

Adranga (n) Lugbara clan in DR Congo

adre (v) be, is, was

adreni (phr v) is not (plu. adrekini) eg Ewa adreni muke ku 'ba andrale eli 120 (turu alu kali iri) pini. = Alcohol is not good for persons under the age of 120.

adri (n) brother (also adriazi), means rock in Hindi eg Yuda ni Yema ma adri. = Yuda is Yema's brother.

adriza (n) behaviour, manner, conduct

adro (n) maternal uncle; spirit placed in a body by Divine Spirit and stands for the individuality of its possessor (one of the elements of a human while others include body, breath, soul [orindi] and tali) eg Jad ni ma adro. = Jad is my maternal uncle.

ADROA (n) the Creator; sky GOD in Lugbara mythology appears in both aspects - good and evil (ADRO) though a single Deity, appeared on earth as a very tall white man near death with only one half of the body, missing one eye, one leg, etc; Divine Absolute Spirit, his children were adroanzi (also ADRONGA in Aringa, ADROO, ADROU) eg ADROA 'ba o'bapiri = GOD who created people

adroanzi (n) nature gods of specific rivers, trees and other sacred wild areas, protect people but can also kill and eat them if they look behind while being followed in the dark, sometimes known as water snakes, bloodline of the Nosferatu Clan, originating in the Lugbara Culture of Central Africa, protectors of the local tribe in exchange for blood

adrogo (n) idol, false god eg Muhamadi nze adrogo karakara Kaba ma ageia Meka-a. = Muhammad removed many idols near the Kaaba in Mecca.

adromva (n) nephew, niece

adropi (n) place where one's mother comes from, uncle

adroyi (n) uncle

adu (n) humour

adui (n) rebel, enemy eg Sanbalati ni Nehemia ma adui! = Sanballat is Nehemiah's enemy!

Adumi (n) subcounty west of Arua Municipality and near the DR Congo Border, north of Pajulu, south of Oluva

adungu (n) multi-stringed and bow-arched wooden harp instrument that is usually covered with animal hide at the base and made in various sizes, the smaller ones are handheld while the bigger ones rest on the ground or floor for easy play eg Godia ni adungu avi. = Godia is playing the adungu.

a'da (v) insult, abuse, point out (an issue)

a'data (n) insult, abuse

a'danga (n) criticism

a'di (n) war, battle, fight, bon fire eg during e'yo o'beza (also koyi koyi); (v) cook eg Mi a'di mani mutere! = Cook for me mutere!

a'di? (interj, pron) who? (also a'di-i?) eg 'Da a'di-i? = Who is that?/ A'di kini 'ba odra ni? = Who said people should die?

a'dia (pron) so and so, who and who

a'diko (n) riddle (also adhiko) eg A'diko ti si: Baka fi ni, nyondo ni ti ma mulokoni. = According to the language of riddles: A rope is offals, a hammer is a cow's hoof.

a'diza (n) cooked, boiled

a'du (interj, pre-determiner, pron) what; (n) silver eg A'du ei Mande be ni? = What happened to Monday?

a'duko (n) story

a'dukule (adj, adv) alone (also a'dule)

a'dungare? (adv) when? (also a'dungari) eg YESU ni imvi a'dungare? = When is JESUS returning?

a'duni? (adj, adv, pron) what?

a'dusi? (adv) why?

afa (n) property, riches, wealth, thing

afa azi (n) something (also pronounced afazi) eg Gifti isu afa azi. = Gift got something.

afa ciri (pron) anything 

afa eti onda (v) (do) research eg "GeoPoll" ni afa eti onda. = GeoPoll does research.

afa eti ondaza (n) research work

afa feza (n) thanksgiving (also awa'difo feza)

afa idri koko (n) non-living thing eg Mutuka 'ba olipiri ni afa idri koko. = A taxi is a non-living thing.

afa ofuza (n) production eg Lematia ma afa ofuza chu be. = Lematia's production has market.

Afayo (n) male-given name meaning "No wealth" (also Afayoa)

afazi (n) something

afazi yo (n) nothing, without something, there is nothing

afazu (n) utensils, container (also afajo) eg Yunisi ni afazu oji. = Eunice is washing the utensils.

afi (v) burst eg Mupira afi. = The tyre burst.

afimaniru (adj) selfish, self-centred

Afrika (n) Africa eg Adamu Chira/ Kira ni aa Afrika-a i-ma oku Eva Vikitoria be. = Adam Kiira stays in Africa with his wife Eve Victoria.

afu (v) compete, scramble for sth, break something fragile, fight over sth; (n) pride, fight (or battle)

afu 'ba (phr v) put on airs

afuru (v) proud eg Baganda ki afuru eyi ma suru si. = Baganda are proud of their culture.

aga (adv) beyond; (v) pass eg YESU le ma aga. = JESUS loves me beyond.

agaa (adv) halfway, middle, amidst, between, among (also otru)

agadri (n) stubbornness

agadria (adj) in the middle (also agadua)

agandua (adv) in the middle

agara (adj) passed, more than, exceeding

agara'ba (n) whiteman (also ogara'ba), sb with axe

agata (n) pass(ing), exceeding; refusal to do sth when asked

agati (n) chest

agaza (n) (by)pass, victory, triumph, success (also ndeza) eg Agaza ni afa mini leri isuzu. = Success is getting what you want.

Agazu (n) name meaning "For victory"

agba (v) hit, split rocks

agbatara (n) debate, discussion eg Noeli ni agbatara-a. = Noel is at the debate.

Agbinika Yikuru (n) waterfalls on River Kochi granitic rockbed of about 30 metres with natural trees and forest reserve suitable for picnic activities located in Romogi (Yumbe)

ageia (n) in sb or sth's proximity eg Remi ri ma ageia. = Remy sat next to him.

ageini (n) the neighbouring area (also ageyini)

agele (n) penis, cock, dick (also rua agupini, anja)

agele dri (n) penis foreskin

agele dri edeza (n) circumcision (agele dri liza)

ageyi te (v) take care, wait on, watch over sb or sth

ageyitema (n) watch, watchfulness, security (also ageitema, ageyiteza, agei teza, sekuriko)

agi (n) friend (also agyi, alipi) eg Abu Bakari ni andra Muhamadi ma Agi Ndeni. = Abu Bakr was Muhammad's Best Friend.

ago (n) male animal, husband, boyfriend; pumpkin (also nzu), totem for Logiri eg Mao ni eri ma ago. = Mao is her husband.

agobi (n) pumpkin leaves eg Aparaka ma tibi agobi. = Carelessness has pumpkin leaves as soup/ Carelessness feeds on pumpkin leaves. [Lugbara Proverb]

agofe (n) pillar, post, in charge

Agofe (n) rotationally elected Leader of all the Lugbara Clans (in Uganda and DRC plus the Diaspora), King of Lado who must be above 55 years old, Agofe Jalusiga - an Alur ruled during colonial times before Mariko Boroa (from Terego) assumed power after Uganda's 1962 Independence until cultural institutions were banned by President Milton Obote in 1967 and Jason Avutia (from Vurra) came in during the NRM regime around 1987 up to the 2023 election of Manase Yuma from Ayivu who was ousted in 2025 by Cabinet due to petitions and replaced by Anzelo Alia Pati from Maracha (Other records mention [His Majesty Culu] John Anacleto Atobua who was assassinated on 14th April 1948 because he asked USSR to raise the question of Lado at the UN around 1947 as the 1st Agofe; then John Bart Agami Onzima II) eg Jasoni Avutia (engazu Vurra) ni andra Lugbara Kari ma Agofe nazori pere eli 2023. = Jason Avutia (from Vurra) was Lugbara Kari's 3rd Agofe until 2023.

agofuku (n) love potion, sth a Lugbara woman does to keep her husband safe from being snatched by another woman like cooking her man's favourite food, spices, smelling nice, dressing enticingly, sex, submission, respect or peaceful disposition

Agoi Yikuru (n) Agoi Falls in Vurra

agolirua (n) evening star

agopa (n) pumpkin stem

agrikeca (n) agriculture (also azi amvu ni, amvu 'yaza)

agu (n) person; (v) bend (also avu) eg Mi agu eri Bekihamu le! = Bend it like Beckham!

agu a'di 'dipi driwala ijizu (n) freedom fighter

agu aci osupi (n) electrician eg Judi ni agu aci osupi nda. = Judi is looking for an electrician.

agu afa jepiri (n) buyer

agu angu onepi (n) tourist

agu ase lipiri (n) grasscutter; grasscutters eg WENGA ni amuti agu ase lipi Westi Nailu-a ri yi ni. = WENGA is the association for grasscutters in West Nile.

agu azoru (n) patient

agu blogu sipiri (n) blogger (also bloga)

agu 'ba ni oni tu (n) famous person, celebrity; famous people

agu e'bi okupi (n) fisherman eg Yekini ni agu e'bi okupi. = Yekini is a fisherman.

agu e'yo dapiri (n) moderator, presenter (also agu odapiri)

agu motoka onzupi (n) driver (also dere'ba, dereva)

agu mupira tupi (n) footballer eg Lugemwa ni agu mupira tupi Bloku Owunazi ni. = Lugemwa is a footballer for Block Owners.

agu mupira vupi (n) football referee

agule (n) transmasculine

agupi (n) male, husband, man; males, husbands, men eg Kintu ni Nambi ma agupi. = Kintu is Nambi's husband.

agupia (adv) (of women) married to a man, lad

agupiamva (n) boy, lad, male child eg Ondia, Draru ma adri, ni agupiamva. = Ondia, Draru's brother, is a boy.

agupianzi (n) boys, male children eg Agupianzi mu Wobulenzi-a. = The boys went to Wobulenzi.

Agusito (n) male-given name, August (8th month of the year)

Aguta (n) male-given name

agwara (n) dance by the Lugbara and Kebu

Agwoko (n) Agwok, trading centre after Nebbi on the Pakwach Highway

ai (n) salt; (v) trap with rope or string, get caught, accept, welcome, respond, admit, affirm, pray; ask, beg (archaic a'i) eg Rubeni ni mu MUNGU ai Dominioni Theata-a. = Reuben is going to pray to GOD at the Dominion Theatre.

Aiivu (n) subcounty near Maracha, south of Yivu and Omugo, north of Katrini

Aiko (n) penname of a committed Black Ugandan Artist who dropped out the letter Y from his surname at 6 years of age (Can also mean "No Artificial Intelligence", "no salt" or "trapping salt"), shortened from Ayiko (rarely Aiiko), American musician also known as Jhene Chilombo, Scandinavian male-given name also used in Northern Germany as a variation of Eike or Ekke [Blade], Chinese boy-name, Japanese female-given name meaning "Love child", "Little Love" or "Child who will be loved", mountain in Finland eg Aiko Japani-a ngo "Kisshug". = Aiko in Japan sang "Kisshug".

aise (n) grass

aise geri (n) anus (also ezele, ojuu)

aisu (n) sauce

aita (n) faith (sometimes aitaa though might mean "in faith") eg Aita ma mba oni le, ma mba kongolo. Ka mba oni le, ATA ni ovu ayikosi! = Faith should harden like a stone. If it's hard like a stone, then FATHER will be happy!

aitipa (n) sun-wivered salty leaves burnt to create salt after mixing the ash with water and sieving through a container

aiza (n) prayers, fellowship, affirmation, acceptance, reply, admittance; begging, receiving

aizu (v) beseech

Ajai (n) game reserve towards eastern Arua on Rhino Camp Road, used to be famous for the endangered white rhino, Most Powerful Chief in Madi Okollo history who had 100 wives

Ajara (n) suburb or parish in Ayivu north of Manibe on Koboko Highway after Enyau River, near Omi

aje (adv) yesterday; (n) buying, cost, value (also ajeni), price; traditional marriage where a groom pays a cow for the bride plus extra cows depending on number of children born, give away, kwanjula (also ajeta) eg Ndri ma aje Yuganda ma Silingi 50,000 eli 2017 si. = The price of a goat was 50,000 Ugandan Shillings in 2017.

aje koko (adj) free, priceless, cheap eg buku aje koko = free book

aje manyaka (n) small price (also o'boloko aje)

Ajekuru (n) female-given name meaning "They have not paid anything for me"

ajeru (n) expensive, dear, costly (also ajesi) eg E nga azi pere afa ajeru ni ecazu ajekoko. = Work until expensive things become cheap.

aji (n) taste, flavour; blessing (drileba), luck

aji di (v) defame, cause to lose interest, dilute taste, spoil name or reputation, pour mud on, scorn

Ajia (n) subcounty south of Oluko, north of Arivu eg Alani ni 'ba sa Ajia-a. = Allan was buried in Ajia.

ajiko (n) pot for preparing millet flour; tastelessness (also ajiyo)

Ajikoro (n) place in Maracha

ajira (n) beans with skin removed and mixed with groundnut paste plus mundrokole greens (also loperete), almost like firinda from western Uganda

Ajira (n) marketplace in Maracha East, subcounty that was formed from Tara

ajiru (adj) tasty, flavoured; blessed (also drilebaru), lucky eg Harieti ni ajiru. = Harriet is blessed.

aju (n) spear, javelin; (v) insult using obscene words eg Shaka ma aju aliaru. = Shaka's spear is short.

Ajua (n) great grandfather of the seven true Tara parishes in Maracha named after his seven grandchildren through Opodria (whose mother was given to him in Onduparaka) then Naye. In Ovisoni during his quest to find the source of Enyau River, Ajua paid brideprice for another wife who gave birth to Otu, the father of Vurra after whom a clan and county are named in western Arua District eg Ajua ni a'bi mba Tara ni woro. = Ajua is the real ancestor for the whole of Tara.

aka (adj) big, large, enormous, grand, huge; (adv) deliberately, purposely, intentionally, knowingly; soften (said of fruits)

akaaka (adj) soft

akanya (n) ass, horse

akanyamva (n) colt, young donkey

akasi (adv) purposefully

akata (n) melting

akaza(ru) (adj) soft, weak, molten

akiki (n) pimple eg Ninsima ma akiki yo. = Ninsiima has no pimple.

akiri (n) skill, trick, innovation, technique, maneouvre

ako (prep) without

akpa (v) combine, add to, mix

akpaakpa (adv) combined, (n) mixture, combination

akpaku (n) chin

aksidenti (n) accident (also drileonzi)

aku (n) home; (v) cover, close usually from above

aku ambo (n) city (literally big home), headquarters, place with over 500,000 dwellers and bigger than a municipality that has a lower limit of 100,000 inhabitants eg Kristofu mu Aku ambo Kinshasa-a! = Kristof has gone to Kinshasa City.

akua (adv) at home eg Azi ma vutia, Boyka ni mvi akua. = After work, Boyka goes home.

akufi (n) yeast (also aku fi) eg Mukati 'ba ede akufi si. = Bread is made using yeast.

akuku (n) rainstorm

akuma (n) white ants you drum for before they come out from the ground

akumanikuye (n, informal) generosity, selfless charity, givers never lack because karma comes back around

akuruma (n) bread made from smashed white ants eg Dismasi ni akuruma nya. = Dismas is eating akuruma bread.

akuza (adj) covered

ala (adj) clean, neat, smart, good (also alaru), fine (maganda in Filipino); (n) paste from groundnuts or simsim (also odi); (v) put across, season food eg Hosa ala i'bi odi si. = Hosa seasoned the fish with groundnut paste.

ala pititi (adj) very good

alaka (n) kind of grass used to make fire to catch or collect white ants (also galaka)

alakalaka (n) type of mushroom (also ngu idrika)

alanda (n) bread made from small white ants (also amboroko)

alapapa (n) butterfly

alata (n) health, cleanliness, smartness, neatness

alatararu (adj) healthy, smart, neat, clean, good, holy eg Opi ADROU okpo dria beri, alatararu, alatararu, alatararu, ERI ndra indi ERI curu'do ci, vini ngapi emupiri-i! = Holy, holy, holy, LORD GOD Almighty WHO was and is and is to come!

ale (n) love, liking (also leta); stomach, belly, inside (also aleni); (v) exchange eg A'duni nga ama awa ale MUNGU ni be ni? = What will separate us from the love of GOD?

ale azoza (n) stomach ache, stomach pain

ale ngurufu (n) potbelly

alea (adj) pregnant, (prep) inside, in the stomach

Alemani (n) Germany (also Girimani)

ali (adj) short (also alia, aliaru), (n) adultery (also ali 'baza), brideprice, crime, plant with thorns, far away (also re), deep; (v) pass by, cut

aliasi (adv) in short

Aliba (n) ward or parish of Aroi Subcounty in Ayivu County of Arua District

ali'bo (n) partridge

Alifa azini Omega (n) Alpha & Omega

alifu (n) thousand

Alikua (n) place in Maracha where Belgians built a small pyramid in the 1920s, two Belgian officers Captain Von Kirkhoven (probably Willem Frans Van Kerckhoven) and M. de Laages are buried under the fort somewhere next to the road between Nyadri and Katrini

alimva (v) bastard, illegitimate child

alio (n) poverty; poor person eg Alio le ma nde. = Poverty wants to defeat me.

Alioma (n) name given when family is in poverty or groom's family is poor (also Alioru, Alio)

alioru (adj) poor 

alipi (n) friend (also agoyi) eg Sisilia ni ma alipi! = Cecilia is my friend!

aliria (n) virgin eg YESU ma andri ni andra aliria. = JESUS's mother was (sometime back) a virgin.

alitara (n) altar

aliza (n) cut (sth)

alo (n) peg for tethering animals

aloalo (adj) loose, not tightly fixed

alofe (n) bridge (also olufe)

alota (n) loosening

aloza (adj) loosened

alu (n) one, singular; mole, grasscutter; taste, sweetness (also aluta); (v) peep

alu alu (adj) tasty; one by one

alu toko (adj) one only

alugbe (n) unhatched egg

aluma (n) curse

Alungaru (n) old woman in Lugbara mythology who helped Oli trace Kibira's spear

Aluru (n) Luo tribe south of Lugbara; Lugbara dialect in DR Congo

aluruga (n) south direction, because of proximity to Alur People (also baria)

Aluruti (n) Alur language

alutukubi (n) creeping greens

aluza(ru) (adj) tasty eg Olanya kini: Roleksi chapati ni aluza! = Olanya said: Rollex chapati is tasty!

ama (pron) we, us; (v) assess, judge, feel

Amadingo (n) welfare system where rich Lugbara take care of poor relatives

amamu (n) pigeon

amata (n) judgement (also amaza)

amba (adj) old eg Oripa dra eli 2008 desi eri amba. = My grandmother died in 2008 when she was old.

ambasada (n) ambassador

Ambeko (n) place between Mvara and Muni

ambi (n) cold, (v) make cold

ambiambi (adj) cold eg Angu ambiambi Kigezi-a! = The place is cold in Kigezi!

ambiriga ambiriga (n) sex

ambita (n) coldness (also ambiza)

Ambo Towi (n) the Big 5 eg Ambo 5 mi isu woro suru were ma alea ekile Yuganda; eyi: ewa, odru, obirio, kami azini o'du! = All the Big 5 can be found in few countries like Uganda; they are: elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard!

ambo (adj) great, big, huge (also amboo, ambooru, ambu, ambo, amboru) (n) master, boss, supervisor, respected person; stubbornness (also drionzi, agadri)

ambo jindia (n) sergeant at arms

amboroko (n) flat grassless mass of soil, hard like an anthill

amboru (adj) stubborn eg Alio ni amboru! = Poverty is stubborn!

Amerika (n) America, United States eg Awinda ni mu Amerika-a. = Awinda is going to America.

amuro (n) bride, newly wed (also amuroo, 'ba mini jeri, oku 'bani jeri) eg Doro ni eri ma amuro. = Doro is his bride.

Amuru (n) district east of Pakwach, formerly part of Gulu

amuti (n) agency

Amuti Amvu'yaza E'yo ma Eti ondapi Suru-a (n) National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)

Amuti Aro E'yo Onepi (n) National Drug Authority

Amuti Kaluluni (n) Electoral Commission (also Elekitoro Komisoni) eg Ghana ma Amuti Kaluluni = Ghana's Electoral Commission

Amuti Mupira Onepi Afrika-a (n) CAF

Amuti Mupira Onepi Wudrikuru-a (n) FIFA

amva (v) mate (for animals)

amve (prep) out, outside, abroad, overseas

amvi (n) sister (also amvii, sisi), touch (also olo) eg Ketra ni Fiona ma amvi. = Ketra is Fiona's sister.

amvu (n) garden, field, touch; (v) embrace, get hold of eg Ayakaka ni ti dro amvu-a ri si. = Ayakaka is chasing the cows from the garden.

amvu 'yaza (n) farming, agriculture (also azi amvu ni, informal agrikeca)

ana (n) weed (also ano)

analogu (n) analog

ande (n) tiredness, fatigue

anderiku (n) chiefly stool

andesoma (n) reward (also orodri)

andi (n) foreigner

andra (adv) sometime ago (also andraa); (prep) down below, down the slope, beneath eg Idi Amini ni andra Yuganda ma Prezidenti. = Idi Amin was sometime ago President of Uganda.

andrale (n) east direction (also etu ni efuria)

Andrale'ba (n) lowland people, a section of Lugbara, the Lugbara of the East, Easterners

andrapuru (n) aunt

andre (n) tongue (also edre), mother (also andri)

andreli (n) dew

andreti (n) face (also mileti) eg Asinduru isu coki i-ma andreti-a. = Asinduru found chalk on her face.

andri (n) mother (also andre, ayia, ma, mama, mami); (v) visit, supervise, regulate, check eg Ndezo ni ma andri. = Ndezo is my mother.

andrike (n) witchcraft (also acife, enata)

andrita (n) visit, supervision, checking (also andriza)

androndro (n) gossip (also songi songi, kimbelembele, lugambo)

andru (adv) today; (n) humour; abandoned home, deserted place eg Andra ma o'dapiri, andrusi o'da ni ma ku. = The one who abused me before, today doesn't abuse me.

andruru (adj) humorous

Andruvu (n) suburb northeast of Arua City before Manibe and Ombaci

angara (n) flat, bony and salty fish found mainly in Pakwach from the Albert Nile eg Saa azia eca 'bo, anya enyasa angara si. = 12 o'clock has arrived already, we ate staple food with angara fish. [Nursery Rhyme]

angarawa (n) skinless cowpeas or beans, slightly fried or cooked and mixed with groundnut paste (in Terego dialect/ also angaraba)

angiri (n) a lot

angu (n) place, plot of land eg Seroma je angu Arua Premari vu. = Seroma bought land near Arua Primary.

angu biza (n) darkness, night

angu dali (n) low place, valley eg Majidu sa maaku angu dali-a. = Majid planted potatoes in a valley.

angu driza (n) heat

angu edezu (n) cleansing the land, for preparing the place

angu ei (n) landlord, land owner (also angu eii)

angu ezoza (n) development

angu mile (n) weather

angu ndriza (n) peace (also asindriza)

angu neza (n) sightseeing eg Travoneza ni o'bi oji angu neza ma ayiko zu. = Travelneza takes people to enjoy the happiness of sightseeing.

angu nguru (n) plateau

angu nya (v) enjoy life

angu oneza (n) tourism, seeing places (also turismo) eg Wekesa ni angu oneza icu. = Wekesa promotes tourism.

angu patiru (n) forest (also oce, obibi)

angu yikoko (n) desert (also angu yikoko azini cinyaki ru ni, nyamuko)

Angundru (n) great grandfather of the Terego and Andrale'ba

Angundru Geri (n) Angundru Lane, off Mvara SS Crescent, road where Welthungerhilfe and World Food Programme were located in 2022

angunduru (n) kind of sauce prepared from bean and paste

angusara (n) dawn, daybreak

Angusara (n) ancestor or forefather in Baria Village (Ulupi/ Ojapi Parish, Tara - then Ajira Subcounty), son of Nayia and Odrudru from Aliba Ojepi in Ayivu, 10th generation before Aiko (Angusara's descendants included Oyoroa, Olevua, Oguze, Onangu, Maru, Asisi, Ari, Galia Asendu, Petero Dobo and Dramani)

aniaka (n) mudfish

anibo (n) refugee, foreigner, asylum seeker (also emunyale)

Ankole (n) Ankole Kingdom found in Southwest UG originally comprising 10 mashazas including Ibanda and others, east of Lake Edward eg Ainembabazi enga Ankole-a. = Ainembabazi is from Ankole.

anya (n) millet, cereals (also ana in some dialects like Terego)

Anyafio (n) suburb in Arua City east of Osu River and near the Arua Golf Course, originally for white colonialists, "anya fi yo" means "no millet seeds" eg Twinoburyo ni Anyafio-a. = Twinoburyo is in Anyafio.

Anyafio Klozi (n) road that cuts southwards from Mvara SS Crescent behind Heritage Park eg WFP ni Anyafio Klozi-a. = World Food Programme is on Anyafio Close.

anyafura (n) flour

anyajo (n) stomach, belly

anyaka (n) residue

anyamgbolo (n) corruption, enjoying alone (also anyambolo)

Anyanya (n) soldiers from Sudan used by Idi Amin in his army during the 1970s

anyapa (n) animal, brideprice

anyapa tambaza (n) animal rearing

Anyara (n) community known to be stupid (Wajinga in Swahili)

anyawio (n) Adam's apple

anyi (n) irony, sarcasm, pride, father-in-law

Anyiribu (n) place and subcounty in Arua District near Ewanga

anyiru (adj) ironical, (adv) ironically

anyoya (n) boiled maize seeds and beans plus fried onions for breakfast or a meal (also called mix in Arua Town, githeri in Kikuyu), staple food of the Japadhola who are Luo like Alur and Kenyans, means "fermented" in Alur and is usually prepared at night to be consumed in the morning

anyu (n) bee, honey; simsim; (v) switch off eg 'Ba azi alupi anyu le ni yo! = There is no one as sweet as honey! [Lugbara Proverb]

anyu oso (n) honey syrup (literally honey fats)

anzi (n) children (pronounced anji) eg Nabatanji osi anzi 44 agupi alu be. = Nabatanzi produced 44 children with one man.

anzi anzi (adj, adv) heavy, bulky (also anziza, anzizaru)

anzinyiri (n) small children

anzoroko (n) chain

anzu (n) separate, put asunder eg MUNGU ka di (imi) ici 'bo, 'ba azi ma anzu (emi) ku. = When GOD has joined (you) together, noone should put (you) asunder.

aoko (n) anger (also awoko)

apa (v) run away, escape (also apa te) eg Kunta Kinte apa. = Kunta Kinte escaped.

aparaka (n) carelessness, unseriousness, not serious, frivolousness eg Gbaraspoken kini: Aparaka yo! = Gbaraspoken said: No joking/ carelessness!

aparakaru (adj) frivolous, careless

apata (n) loins, running, escape (also apaza)

ape (v) exchange animal with animal

ape ti (v) comment

apereti (n) homestead, home surroundings

api (v) get satisfied; (n) white ants collected in the middle of the night around 11pm to midnight (also inia)

apife (n) role model

apinaka (n) hedgehog

apipi (n) boil (also opipia)

apiza (n) satisfaction (also apita)

apu (n) mobile application

apu simu (n) app phone

apu stowa (n) app store

Apurutandi (n) Protestant (also Purukati)

ara (n) python; cover eg Azaria kini: Ara 'do yo! = Azaria said: This python is not there!

Arabiti (n) Arabic language, Most Spoken Language from outside Africa

arakala (n) branch eg "Crane Bank" ma arakala Arua ri andra Arua Public Primary School mupira pari ma drile-a. = Crane Bank's branch in Arua was sometime back infront of the Arua Public Primary School football field.

aramu (n) fraud (also aramu nyaza)

arau (n) monkey

are (v) stuck in the throat, choke

ari (n) blood; drum; (v) scramble for sth, hurry eg YESU ma ari ni ama pa ni. = The blood of JESUS saves us.

ari aci (n) cheekiness, adrenaline, literally hot blood (also fujo)

ari adaza (n) bloodshed

ari coza (n) drumming

ari obiza (n) blood test

Ari Tuza (n) High Blood Pressure (also Ari Tuza 'Bua)

aria (n) bird eg Aria driori ni o'bu alari nyani. = The early bird eats the good worm. [Lugbara Proverb]

aria anya (n) rice (also mucele, [In Filipino, kanin means cooked rice, sinangag is fried rice, lugaw is rice porridge, puto is steamed rice cake])

ariadaza (n) bloodshed

ari'bo (n) enemy, foe, rival eg Sitani ni ama ari'bo. = Satan is our enemy.

arika (n) dysentery, bloody stool

arikari (adj) delicious

Aringa (n) Lugbara clan and dialect, area northeast of Ayivu and Maracha covering the District of Yumbe, north of Terego

Arinze (n) name meaning "Removing blood", name shared by Lugbara and Nigerians though with different meanings, others include Bayo, Obi, Okudili, Awuzu, Atiku, etc

Arinzoro (n) place East of Muni University

arioti (n) reciprocation, revenge

Ariwara (n) trading town in northeastern DR Congo, place near Ociba and Orawa in Arua, means "the blood dried" in Lugbara

aro (n) eight; medicine (also dawa) eg Musimenta ma andri fe mani aro ale azoza ni. = Musimenta's mother gave me medicine for stomachache.

aro anzi tizu anyia ku (n) contraceptive (also aro anzi tiza atripi, aro anzi tizu anyia anyia ku, aro anzi tiza awazu)

aro azo ogapi (n) vaccine

aro jo (n) medicine house, drug house, drugshop, pharmacy, health centre, hospital (also hospito) eg Paratra ku aro jo ra. = Paratra left the hospital.

aro nyakuni (n) herbalist medicine, herbalism

aroni (n) female (said of animals)

arozori (adj) the 8th

aru (n) prison (also aru jo), prisoner, sprain eg Nelsoni Mandela aa aru-a eli 27. = Nelson Mandela stayed in prison for 27 years.

Aru (n) place in Congo west of Vurra where prisoners from Arua were taken by Belgian colonialists

arua (n) small prison, in prison (also aru-a)

Arua (n) town or city in northwestern Uganda, second Busiest Airfield (RUA) in the Republic, 13 km east of the DR Congo borderline, established on 14th June 1914, one of the Best Medium-size Cities in Africa during 2015, ancient Capital of West Nile Province, declared a regional city by Parliament on 28th April 2020, Area Code 0476 from Madi Okollo to Koboko, Business and humanitarian hub for neighbouring countries (Congo/ Sudan and Central African Republic), Idi Amin's hometown, means "small prison" or "in prison" and was named after a hill where Belgian colonialists imprisoned people directly southwards from Arua Avenue before transferring them to the bigger prison in Aru (DRC), Roman Catholic diocese north of Nebbi, Ugandan district and City-state from Madi Okollo to South Sudan border, First-Class business hub

Arua Hilu (n) hill that inspired the name Arua [because of the Belgian colonial prison (Aru in Lugbara) that used to be near it] found directly southwards from Arua Avenue with a 360-degree-panoramic view of the entire locality; city division comprising 22 cells in 2018, subcounty in Arua District - others include Adumi, Ajia, Arivu, Aroi, Dadamu, Logiri, Manibe, Offaka, Ogoko, Okollo, Oli River, Oluko, Pajulu, Rhino Camp, Rigbo, Uleppi and Vurra; football club formed in 2010 as Doves FC but bought and rebranded 100 percent by Joel Aita in 2020 before qualifying (as invincible 2021 Big League Champions) for their maiden 2022 Ugandan Premier League (also Arua 'Be wereari)

Arua Lugbara (n) most used Lugbara dialect (also High Lugbara, Lugbarati, Lubarati, Logbara)

aruba (n) Lugbara justice process that cleanses families and emanates from a taboo which bars close relations from reporting each other to formal courts of law, two conflicting family members are brought to a round table and share their pains through truth-telling and forgiveness, both parties bring one goat each which are slaughtered and cooked in one pot to show total reconciliation

ARUDIFA (abbr) Arua District Farmers Association

arumadri (n) policewoman eg Jeni ni arumadri. = Jenny is a policewoman.

arusu (n) bride (also amuro, mugole)

Aruu (n) place in Uganda eg Oto ni mu Aruu-a. = Otto is going to Aruu.

Asa (n) river in the valley north of Muni University, at the end of Barifa Forest

ase (n) grass, bush; type of fish, eel

ase ibiru (n) wet grass, plant(s)

asea (adv) in the bush, grass or wilderness

Asea (n) male-given name

Aseno (n) Arsenal Football Club (also Asno, Arseno, Arsenali, Arsenalu, Arsenolu, Ass Na - said by Nigerians) eg Aseno nde Ulaya ma "Inter-Cities Fairs Cup" eli 1970 si. = Arsenal won the European Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970.

aseti (n) asset

asi (n) heart; end, cease; tear eg Ayiko amani ri, ayiko YESU alia; e'yo onzi nyaku-a ri nga asi ra! = Our happiness, is happiness in JESUS; the evil issues on Earth will cease.

asi 'ba (phr v) hope, trust eg Eri aluzaru tu asi 'bazu YESU dria! = 'Tis so sweet to trust in JESUS!

asialuza (n) sweetheart eg Ajuru edri simu waraga aliaru i-ma asialuza vu. = Ajuru sent an SMS to her sweetheart.

asianzu (n) peace, mercy

asi'baza (n) hope

asi'daza (n) commitment

asi'duza (n) forgetting

asiliza (n) stomach pain

asindriza (n) mercy, mercifulness, peace eg Asindriza Kristo dri 'ba woro ni! = Peace of Christ for all!

asinyoza (n) heartbreak, heartwreck eg Toni ma asinyoza ati ra. = Toni's heartbreak healed.

asiomiza (n) counselling

asionzi (n) malice (also malaja) eg Asionzi adreni muke ku. = Malice is not good.

asionziru (adj) malicious

asiotiza (n) worry eg Nyege Nyege ni Ata Lokodo ni asiotiza fe. = Nyege Nyege worries Father Lokodo.

asisile (n) reason, purpose, interest, company mission eg Butele (engazu Primu azini Propa) kini afa dria ma asisile ci. = Butele (from Prim and Propa) said everything has a reason.

asiteza (n) patience, tolerance, endurance

asiza (n) end(ing), completion; tear eg Asiza eca ra! = The End has arrived.

asizu (adv) finally; (n) last, bottom, end, stop, for stoppage eg Nalubega ai adui ma "ni pari eyi ni asizu ri". = Nalubega begged enemies to "know where they stop".

Asizuru (n) female-given name meaning "Last (born)"

askari (n) soldier eg Buga ni askari UPDF-a. = Buga is a soldier in the UPDF.

asoso (n) gifts (also feta)

asu (n) report (also repoti) eg Angela si asu. = Angela wrote a report.

ata (adv) even, neither; (n) father, male eg Ata dra econi ama awa ku! = Even death cannot separate us!

atalau (n) reverend, clergy (also atalo)

Atamva (n) Mister, Mr., used to address a man you do not know too eg Atamva Gugo Culu! = Mr. Google Sir!

atapuru (n) paternal uncle

Ataza (n) Miss, Ms. eg Ataza Kawino = Miss Kawino

ati (v) support, cure, heal; father eg Nanyombi ni "Liverpool FC" ati. = Nanyombi supports Liverpool FC.

atiati (adj) drunk

ati'ba (n) supporter

ati'bo (n) servant (also pakasa [borrowed from Swahili])

Atifiso Intelijensi (n) AI, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Imagination, Artificial Creativity, Synthetic Imagination, Synthetic Intelligence (also Ondua Idezaru) eg Lugbara Artifiso Intelijensi = Lugbara AI

Atiku (n) male given name meaning "I do not conceive" or "He does not get drunk" eg Atiku ni Naijeria ma Prezidenti. = Atiku is the President of Nigeria.

atiliko (n) fireplace eg Atiliko aci ni 'ba ve ni. = The heat of the fireplace is the one that burns.

atita (n) support (also atitanga), healing eg Aro mani je Novafinia Arojo-a fe atita. = The medicine I bought at Novafinia Pharmacy gave healing.

atiza(ru) (adj) drunk

atoza (adj) stale

atri (v) stop, block

atu (v) kick; squat eg E ri vaa, mi atu ku! = Sit down, do not squat!

atuluku (n) fireplace

atuta (n) squatting

au (n) chicken eg Rita ni Arua Au Osiza nya. = Rita is eating Arua Fried Chicken.

au logo (n) white cock, rooster, totem of the Ma'di people

auaroni (n) hen (also auandri)

auata (n) cock (also auago), totem for Adjumani Madi Clan

augbe (n) chicken egg (also au gbe)

Aupi (n) place north of Omugo

ava (n) breath, fondness, interest eg Mi ava fu ma! = Your interest killed me/ I missed you!

ava efi (n) manure, fertiliser

avakoko (adj) without or lacking desire for

avaliza (n) rest, retirement, relaxation

avaliza isupi'bo (adj) retired (also ava liza isupira, ava lipiri) eg Imbapi ava liza isupi'bo ri taya. = The retired teacher sat leaning (back).

avata (n) avatar

avataza (n) desire, longing, coveting, covetousness

avi (v) get lost; play eg Mva avi Odramacako-a Krismasi si. = A child got lost in Odramacako during Christmas.

avita (n) play, drama, game, sports eg Miedema ma avita ala! = Miedema's game is good!

avivi (n) flavour, odour, stench

avizaru (adj) lost

avu (n) deadbody, corpse, carcass; (v) bend; drown

avunga (n) squeezing a male's testicles (balls); bendover

avuri (adj) late (n) deceased

avuru (adj) sick

avuta (n) things given to wipe away the tears of the bereaved

avuza (adj) steamed, (n) bending

awa (v) quarrel; divide, separate, share

awa'difo (n) thanks, gratitude, appreciation, tithe, 10 percent church tax, religious gift, offering

Awa'difo (interj) Thank you (also Awania used in Moyo), Sankyu, 39, TQ, Ty, Gracias, Danke, Merci, Spasibo, Grazie, Xiexie, Arigato(gozaimasu), Gamsahamnida, Webale, Yebare, Yalama, Asante, Ekele, Melesi, תודה [Toda], E dupe, Daalu, Na gode, Shukraan, Murakoze, Ngiyabonga, Jerejef, Medaase, Dhanyavaad, Danki, Dankie, Dank je, Obrigado, Tack, Takk skal du ha, Kiitos, Terima kasih, Salamat eg Awa'difo MINI, MUNGU! = Thanks to YOU, GOD!

awa'difo feza (n) thanksgiving (also inzita awa'difo fezuri), worship (also MUNGU inzita)

awa'dini (adv) like this, therefore

awalanja (n) small basin

awata (n) quarrel, separation, division

Awata (n) name given by Kebu during their migration to a place currently called Ewuata, means "Let us separate or depart"

awi (n) heritage; (v) remain eg MakAlista ma mva asizuri awi akua a'dule. = McAllister's last child stayed home alone.

awita (n) things the deceased leaves behind, heritage; staying back, delay, remainder (also awiza)

Awindiri (n) suburb on Nebbi Highway south of Arua City immediately after Sambya, name given by Kebu during their migration meaning "Let us unite, stay harmonised"

awoko (n) anger

awoko fefe (adj) offensive

awoko i'daza (n) demonstration to express anger or disagreement

awokoru (adj) angry, irritable

awu (n) cry, pity, sorrow; (v) peel off skin, moult, burn outer part quickly eg Lazaro ka andra e'yo eri ra fo, ta 'di we 'do, awu azi ta 'do yo. = If Lazarus had sometime ago listened to advice, then, there wouldn't be any cry here.

awupi (n) paternal aunt eg Dina ni ma awupi. = Dina is my paternal aunt.

awuzi (n) widow

awuzio (n) widower

awuzu (n) daily cry

Awuzu (n) male-given name

a'wi(ru) (adj) dry

a'wia (n) brown grasshopper (also 'wia)

aya (exclamation) okay, informal farewell, (n) Koranic verse; iron bar, wire (also waya), iron, metal; copper coins, money payment; (v) shake, tremble, frighten

ayaka (n) shopping basket made of twigs and smeared with cow dung, used for collection of valued items and a measure, fish is always put in head first so that the tail shows

ayalako (n) torn clothes

ayi (n) wet season

Ayi (n) river in Maracha

ayia (n) mother (also anzi andri); wilderness; west direction, because it was believed that the west was a wilderness with few people and unknown things (also etu ni 'deria, orule) eg Ayia ma ndu yo! = There is no other mother! [Lugbara Proverb]

Ayibiri (n) village in Oluko Subcounty near Muni University

ayikayi (n) small white insect that moves on the body like a flea

ayiko (n) happiness, happyness, happy-iness (Where I come from, happy-iness is spelt with letter Y), the Y Corner, joy(fulness), celebration, partying, cloud nine, contentment, cheer(fulness), felicity, blessedness, beautitude, tranquility, good fortune, bliss, gladness, good life, rejoicing, well adapted state, condition of supreme wellbeing, good high spirits, eerieness, uplifted spirits, pleasure, delight, welfare, fair weather, good times, satisfaction, enthusiasm, prosperity, progress, prudence, ecstasy, enjoyment, exuberance, elation, jubilation, euphoria, gaiety, merriment, radiance, light-heartedness, joviality, jocundity, eudemonics, belonging, ataraxia (freedom from emotional disturbance), alegria, furaha, xingfu, Glueck, shiawase, (e)sanyu, bonheur (good humour), felicidad, injabulo, o butseme/ ebitsange, iykke, sukha, stesti, onnellisuus/ onni, saeada, sonas, felicita, beatitudinem, fahasambarana, az jargal, schast'ye, thabo, farxad, kabungahan, khwam sukh, mutluluk, su hanh phuc, hapusrwydd, idunu, glik eg Ayiko ni ma fu! = Happiness is killing me/ I'm happy!

Ayiko (n) male-given name, direct opposite of C[h]andi), place in the south of Maracha eg Ayiko ni Osubo ma mvi. = Ayiko is Osubo's son.

Ayikobua (n) male-given name meaning "Happiness is in Heaven (up or in the grave)"

ayikoru (adj) happy eg E ka aa ayikoru azini i ni ci, i sa mi dri! = If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!

Ayikoru (n) female-given name (direct opposite of C[h]andiru)

ayini nyiri ri (n) verse

ayiringongo (n) commonest small black ant(s)

ayiru (adj) jocular

ayisi (n) ice (also yi ombapi, yi ombaza) ayisi (n) ice eg "Jamiroquai" aci ayisi dria. = Jamiroquai walked on ice.

ayisi krimu (n) ice cream eg Agu ayisi krimu ozipiri ni mi te! = The ice cream seller is waiting for you!

ayisiru (adj) frozen

Ayivu (n) Lugbara clan, territory in which colonialists set up Arua Town, county north of the Municipality in Arua District

ayota (n) rule, regulation, policy, terms, conditions (also azita) eg Ayota azini azita ma vuti ni nga ovu obizaru/ Ayota azini azita nga pa so eyi ma pari-a/ Ayota azini azita ma so pa eyi ma pari-a! = Terms and conditions will be followed/ Terms and conditions will stand in their place/ Terms and conditions should stand in their place (Terms and conditions apply/ T & C apply)! (fig.)

ayu (v) loosen, untie; use; (n) yam (also gurunya, likinya) eg 'Ba nya sende ku, 'ba ayu ayu! = People do not eat money, people use it!

ayuku (n) orange substance scrapped off fermenting cassava 

ayuta (n) use

a'ya (n) envy, jealousy

a'yaru (adj) envious, jealous

A'yaru (n) female-given name 

a'yoro (n) squirrel (also a'yaro, ayharo, ayhoro)

aza (n) pity

azakoma (n) help

azakoza (n) faeces, excrement, (rarely help)

azanga (n) scent, smell, aroma

azangi (n) drugs in Congo (also pagara)

azi (adj and pron) another, different; (n) work (also azi ngaza); (v) announce, say goodbye, say last words, woo, vibe eg "Gadfix" Ruakoa ni azi nga "UBC Radio"-a. = Gadfix Ruakoa works at UBC Radio.

azi amvu ni (n) agriculture, farming (also amvu 'yaza, informal agrikeca)

azi carani sozuri (n) tailoring (also carani sota, carani soza)

Azi mi ava amboru si! (phr) I greet you with huge interest!/ You are most welcome! (fig.)

azi ngaza tualu (n) collaboration (also ongo ngoza tualu), development cooperation/ zusammenarbeit

azia (adv) (n) six (shouldn't be confused with azi-a meaning "at work") eg Tomu Bredi nde Supa Bowulu azia desi oja-i "Buccaneers"-a ku. = Tom Brady won six Super Bowls before changing to Buccaneers.

azibe (adj) useful, has work, busy eg Kokasi ni azibe. = Kokas is busy.

azi'ba (n) worker(s), personnel

azini (adj) another (also azi), (conj) and eg Gaetano mvu rawundi azini. = Gaetano drank another round.

aziri (adj) the other; (n) seven eg Opi Sulemani ma oku andra turu aziri (pere alifu alu). = King Solomon had 700 (to 1,000) wives.

azita (n) rule, regulation

azitani (adj) legal

azitasi (adv) by rule

aziza (n) announcement

azo (adj) long, tall, (n) sickness; (v) pain eg Kadingo ma ale ni azo. = Kadingo's stomach is paining.

Azo ondrindria niri (n) AIDS (also Silimu)

azoru (adj) sick, ill, diseased, in pain, painful eg Rukundo eca azoru. = Rukundo became sick.

azu (v) block

azuta (n) blocking, blockage (also azuza)

Bb [sounds like Gb] & 'B'b [Bhbh]

ba (adj) OK, okay, good, alright, fine, well (also baba, muke, ala); (n) breast

baasa (n) envelope eg Sali ayu baasa. = Ssali used an envelope.

baba (n) father, papa, paps, dad (also ati); good, fine, well

bada (adj) anyhow

badabada (adv) randomly, anyhow, without order

badaka (adj) many, plenty, big numbers

bafu (n) bathroom, washbasin

baka (n) rope

baka se (phr v) compete

baketi (n) bucket

bako (n) basketball (also acalaka mupira, basiketibolu), B-Ball, netball (also netibolo) eg Reyi Aleni azini Stefani Kari bako avi. = Ray Allen and Stephen Curry play basketball.

Bako (n) female-given name

bakoko (adj) no relative, no friend (also bakoru)

Bakoko (n) female-given name (also Bako)

bakule (n) bowl, satellite dish (also bakuli) eg "StarTimes" ma bakule = StarTimes satellite dish

balangiti (n) blanket (also blangiti, balandiki, batania)

balibali (adj, adv) aimlessly, confused, madly (also badaru, sakaru) eg Odota aci balibali. = Odota walked aimlessly.

balubu (n) bulb eg Folo su balubu o'di. = Flo fixed a new bulb.

bamia (n) okra, lady's finger

banda (n) cassava eg Viola oli banda gutiya si. = Viola ferried cassava using a sack.

bandolu (n) airtime or internet bundle (also bando)

Bangala (n) Bangala language, dialect of Lingala spoken in the Orientale Province of DRC

bangi (n) marijuana, prohibited weed that is smoked

bangiri (n) jaw

Bangiriyo (n) the first trading centre or T-Junction (diversion) after River Asa and just before Muni University eg Oryema ni aa Bangiriyo-a. = Oryema stays in Bangiriyo.

banja (n) loan, debt (also deni, deno)

banki (n) bank (also benki) eg Wadrile ni azi nga banki-a. = Wadrile works in a bank.

Banyale (n) first son of Dribidu and Ofunyaru in Lugbara mythology

bari (adj) good, proper

Baria (n) village in Ojapi (now Ulupi) Parish, Ajira Subcounty (Tara), Maracha

Barifa (n) Biggest Forest near Arua City, found east of Arua Hill, gazetted in 1948, bordered by Weatherhead Park Lane, Oluko Road and Muni

Baruku (n) road northwards off Wadriff Road from opposite Aci Engine

basi (n) bus

baskili (n) bicycle (also gari, karia, keria, keringa in deep Aringa dialect), diringili, kinga (in Lingala), velo (in French)

bati (n) corrugated iron or metallic sheet (borrowed from Indian Baati ironsheets company)

batri (n) battery eg Timoteo ni batri ozi. = Timothy is selling batteries.

batisimu (n) baptism (also ru biza)

bau (n) timber, wood

bau iniri (n) blackboard

Bayo (n) male-given name, similar to Bakoko

be (prep) with eg "Mu Oli Be (filimu)" efu eli 1939 si. = "Gone With The Wind (film)" was released in 1939.

Beliji (n) Belgium (also Beluji)

bendera (n) flag (also bendere), presidential standard eg Romario enga Brazilu ma bendera 'bua. = Romario raised Brazil's flag up.

beseni (n) basin (also bafu)

Betelemu (n) Bethlehem eg Maria osi YESU-i Betelemu-a. = Mary gave birth to JESUS in Bethlehem.

beti (n) bet

betingi (n) betting eg Betingi ni 'ba ma dri susu! = Betting is very addictive!

bi (n) ear; (v) mud (eg a hut), hold, catch, arrest

bi edu (n) ear lobe (also bi edo)

biabia (n) earrings, earphones

biasara (n) business (also bizinesi, negosiyo) eg Rokoni ni biasara azi nga. = Rokoni does business work.

bibi (adj) dark; (n) lollipop (also lolipopu)

bibia (n) (ear)phone (also yakani, simu)

Bibia (n) place near Osu

Biblia (n) Bible (also Bibilia, Baibo) eg Peshensi ma Biblia okazaru. = Patience's Bible is brown.

bidi (n) sharp pointed long metal tool attached to a wooden pole

Bidi Bidi (n) place in Yumbe used as a Refugee Resettlement Camp

bido (n) jerrycan

bikini (n) female swimsuit, bathing suit, bikini eg Keyina su bikini. = Keyna wore a bikini.

bikoko (n) deaf-mute, dumb person (also abebe)

bile (n) wound (also ibi, ibile)

bile ako (n) refusal to listen

Bileafe (n) subcounty in Terego where the agofe system was tried, place 23 km east from Mvara reachable via Oluko Road (also Biliafe)

bilekoko (n) deaf person

bilendu liza (n) warning

binika (n) kettle, teapot

biringanya (n) eggplant eg Tikva ni biringanya a'di. = Tikvah is cooking eggplants.

birisi (n) mat (also mukeka)

bishopu (n) bishop

biskiti (n) biscuit (also bisikiti) eg "Munchies" yi biskiti. = Munchies are biscuits.

bitikoini (n) bitcoin eg Nakamoto ni bitikoini ayu. = Nakamoto uses bitcoin.

biza(ru) (adj) dirty

bizua (n) small basket container with handle for carrying bean and millet seedlings

blogu (n) blog

boda (n) boda boda rider (also 'ba bodaboda ti odropi, 'ba bodaboda onzupi), motorbike taxi, okada, bodaboda

bofulo (n) boflo-shaped bread

bogoya (n) bananas eg Bogoya ni 'bo! = The bananas have ripened.

boko (n) road, lane (also nzila, geri)

bokora (n) banana-like fruit but sometimes bigger eg Jefu ni bokora sa. = Jeff is planting bokora.

bokisi (n) box

bolo bara (n) type of wood

Bondo (n) place south of Arua City eg Mubiru ni "Bondo New Life Guesthouse"-a. = Mubiru is at Bondo New Life Guesthouse.

bonga (n) fist greeting, (v) make a fist to meet another person's fist

bongo (n) cloth (traditional dress of Lugbara was grass or banana fibre for women to cover buttocks and front while men wore animal skin); fermented milk, Tanzanian Music eg Stela su bongo imve. = Stella wore a white cloth (skirt).

boroko (n) hut, temporary house

borondua (n) rebel (also adui) eg Achani ni borondua. = Achan is a rebel.

boti (n) boot(s), bot

bowaholu (n) borehole (also boholu)

brashi (n) brush

Brazilu (n) Brazil, Brasil eg Ro-Ri-Ro avi Brazilu ni eli 90 yi ma-a. = Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldo da Lima played for Brazil in the 90s.

breki (n) brake eg Nyaku ma breki ce-i ra. = Earth's brake got torn. (fig.)

briketi (n) briquette, bricket eg Aiko ni briketi ide. = Aiko makes brickets.

briki (n) brick

briki 'be (v) lay bricks

brocua (n) brochure eg Asimwe ni brocua ide. = Asiimwe is making a brochure.

BTN (n) Bornfree Technologies Network, the pioneer TV station in West Nile since 2003 which was first located on Awudele Crescent in Anyafio before moving to Arua Hill in 2015 eg Rashidi ni "BTN TV" ne. = Rashid is watching BTN Television.

Bua (n) male-given name meaning "Up" eg Chalisi ma ru aziri Bua. = Charles's other name is Bua.

budu budu (adj) foamy, soapy, gigantic eg Arieli ni budu budu. = Ariel is gigantic.

Bukaresti (n) Bucharest, locals call it Bucuresti, Capital City of Romania located in the south eg Joji Haji avi mupira Stau Bukaresti ni. = Gheorghe Hagi played football for Steaua Bucharest.

buku (n) book eg 'Ezati pi Candiru Be Azini Agipi' ni buku 'bani Lugbarati imbazu eli alusi azini irisi. = 'Ezati pi Candiru Be Azini Agipi' is a book used to teach Lugbara language in Year 1 and 2 (P1 and P2).

Buku 'Ba Driani MUNGU Zizuri/ Ongo MUNGUni (n) Book For Everyone To Ask GOD/ GOD's Songs

buloka (n) broker, dealer

bunia (n) fist, boxing sport

buro (n) bureau (also ofisi)

Burundi (n) Burundi eg Kidumu enga Burundi-a. = Kidum is from Burundi.

burusu (n) tree beans, pigeon peas

bushera (n) fermented non-alcoholic cereal (usually millet) drink originally from Western Uganda

busu (n) cat, pussycat (also busua, bura, mbusua) eg Busu ni au nyiri nya sa dria. = A cat eats young chicken all the time.

buzaru (adj) covered

'ba (n) human, people; (v) put (also bha)

'ba aapi suru amveleru (n) diaspora

'ba abala 'bapi miberi (n) rival, competitor

'ba aciza (n) wanderer

'ba afa eti ondapiri (n) researcher, investigator

'ba agati otipi (n) competitor(s)

'ba ambo (n) big person, boss, Sir, Madam

'ba amvipiri (n) editor, reviewer, taster (also 'ba 'bipiri), proofreader (also agu amvipiri)

'ba anyapa asea ogbipiri (n) poacher 

'ba avipi (n) player(s)

'Ba ayia (n) western people, a section of Lugbara

'ba azaza (n) lunatic, idiot, mad person

'ba aziyo (pron) nobody

'ba 'ba papiri (n) saviour

'ba 'bani oni tu (n) celebrity

'Ba 'bea (n) people of the northern mountains, a section of Lugbara

'ba ciri (pron) anybody 

'ba ecaza (n) newcomer

'ba e'yo li'ba (n) court

'ba e'yo nepi milesi (n) witness eg 'Ba e'yo nepi milesi andra 200 "St. Francis" Kanisa Makerere-a ci. = There were 200 witnesses at St. Francis Church Makerere.

'ba e'yo ondripi (n) prophet

'ba imbale (n) disciples

'ba jo si'ba (n) builders, constructors, architects

'ba kabilo ocepi (n) shepherd

'ba kalulu 'bepi (n) voter (also agu kalulu 'bepi)

'ba kalulu 'be'ba (n) voters

'ba mati'ba (n) my parents

'ba miti'ba (n) your parents

'ba mupira bipi (n) goalkeeper

'ba mva ma ta mbapi(ri) (n) guardian (plu. 'ba anzi ma ta mba'ba)

'ba nepi (n) spectator(s) (also 'ba avita nepi), viewer(s), spotter(s), watcher(s) 

'ba o'bipiri (n) tester

'ba ode (n) youth (also yuthu, karile, ezoanzi, anzi zoba zozo)

'ba odrapi 'bo engazu idriru dika (n) resurrection

'ba onduaru 'diyi (n) wise men from the East, Magi, three kings from the Orient

'ba onita kokori (n) uneducated, ignorant, unlearned people

'ba opele (n) chosen, elected people

'ba rua acobe (n) person with disability

'ba saa ta mbapiri (n) timekeeper

'ba 'wara (n) grownup(s), literally big people

'Ba YEHOVA ma E'yo eti nzepi (n) JEHOVAH's witness (plu. 'Ba YEHOVA ma E'yo eti nzepi 'diyi)

'baako (n) loneliness, destitution

'baazi (n) somebody, another person

'baci (adj, n) welcome

'badeza (n) elder

'bakalafe (n) population

'bako (n) without people

'bakoko(ru) (adj) lonely

'bandre (n) person who keeps things for a rainy day or season of famine

'bapi (n) relatives

'bata (n) placement

'bati (n) curse

'be (n) mountain, hill, rock; (v) throw eg Stefano Maria "Crocelli" ni mupira 'be 'bua. = Stefano Maria Crocelli is throwing the ball up.

'be wereari (n) hill (colloquially hilu, 'be wereri)

'be ambo(ri) (n) mountain

'bea (n) north direction, because the northern part of Lugbaraland is full of big hills

'bi (v) taste

'bi'bia (n) bat (flying mammal); umbrella

'bi'bio (n) star

'biko (n) feather, body hair, insect wing(s), fruit or tuber skincover

'bile (n) hole, pit (also 'bule) eg Tabi kini agupi 'bile gapi yi eco mi 'be aleni-a. = Tabi says the men digging a pit may throw you in.

'bili (n) chair, seat

'bili ei (n) chairperson

'bo (adv) already eg Unai Emeri nde Yuropa Ligi 'bo. = Unai Emery has won the Europa League already.

'bu (n) grave (also nyadri); sky, heavens, Heaven, Paradise, Janna, Himmel, Tiantang, Egulu eg YESU ni 'ba ji 'Bu-a ni. = JESUS is the One who takes people to Heaven.

'bua (adj, adv, prep) up, high, in Heaven, in the sky, in the grave (also 'bu-a)

'bua tu (v) advanced, elevated (literally very high) eg Saa 'di 'bua tu! = This moment is elevated.

'bualeru (adv) above, towards the sky

'buru (n) regret

'burugo (n) large grasshopper

Cc [always pronounced "Ch" as in Church]

ca (v) reach; weave eg Magu ca kobi. = Magu wove a winnowing basket.

ca'bo (adj) enough

caca (adj) woven, plaited, knitted, clucking or cackling of a hen

cai (n) tea (leaves) (also chai) 

caja (n) charger

caku (adj) inadequate

cali (n) person, lad, Charlie (also Charlia)

calo (n) village

campali (n) footwear (also champali)

campeini (n) champagne (also champeini)

candi (n) suffering

capirisi (adj) just enough eg "Parlour" ma golo ndri capirisi. = Parlour's goal is beautiful enough.

carani (n) sewing machine (also charani)

cataa (n) being enough, sufficiency, in enoughness

caza (n) woven

cazu kpere (prep) upto

ce (v) tear, break free eg Ndri ce ki-i te. = The goats broke free [(Translated from Luganda) Embuzi zakutude].

ceni (pron, adj) by her/ himself/ itself, automatic (also isi)

cere (n) yell eg Cere Festivo = Yell Festival

ceza (adj) torn

Chadi (n) Chad, nation in Central Africa

Chadwa Klozi (n) Chadwa Close, road off Weatherhead Park Lane next to River Osu and Rose Villa Hotel

chagua (n) body-scrubbing bath sponge (word borrowed from Swahili)

chai (n) tea eg Ije chai na, mi alu isu ajekoko! = Buy three tea(cup)s, you get one free!

Chaina (n) China eg Yangyanga osi Chaina-a. = Yangyang was born in China.

chandi (n) sorrow, pity, sadness, suffering, trouble, danger, plight, gloom (also candi) eg Fredi ri vaa chandi si. = Freddie sat down because of sorrow.

Chandi (n) male-given name when family is in difficult situation

Chandiru (n) female-given name (also written Candiru) eg Leila Chandiru ni ongo ngo. = Leila Chandiru is a singer.

chano (n) channel (also chanolu) eg "GOtv" ma chano dakitari pini ci? = Does GOtv have a channel for doctors?

chapati (n) chapati eg Rozi ni chapati aluza ide. = Rose is making tasty chapati.

chaputa (n) chapter, ch. eg Lyunbaga e'do chaputa o'di. = Ljungberg started a new chapter.

chatiboti (n) chatbot eg Leo ni chatiboti. = Leo is a chatbot.

Chilua (n) beach resort in West Nile

Chuba (n) nation of Cuba (also Kuba)

ci (adj) present, is here; (v) bite eg Ma ci! = I'm here!

cikiri (n) cowpeas, Lugbara name-giving ceremony where cowpeas mixed with simsim paste is the main dish though a cock or goat can also be slaughtered

Cilio (n) village near Mt. Wati, Teeth Can Lost - Part 2

cinya(ki) (n) sand (also cinyafi)

cipini (n) chip in soccer (also chipini)

ciri (adv) very (still and quiet); (pron) any

co (v) sneeze, fight, beat

coki (n) chalk

coko (n) bone (also falako)

coko coko (n) bottle crown (also cokolo)

coni ku (mod. v) does not beat, cannot (also econi ku)

coroko (n) small beans (also choroko)

coroni (n) latrine (jo were)

coroni 'baza (n) defecation

coroni 'bile (n) pit latrine

coti (adv) at once, immediately

coza (adj) woven

cua (n) weaverbird (also cuwa, chua), tick eg Asea Abudiramani ni cua nda. = Asea Abudiraman is looking for weaverbirds.

cucu (n) sweet round yellowish fruit encased in a papery husk, peruvian groundcherry, husk tomato, tomatillo, physalis peruviana, Chinese lantern, ntunduku in Meru (Kenya), entuutu in Runyankole

culu (n) mister, polite way of addressing a male adult

cuma (n) metal, machine

cupa (n) bottle eg Driwaru fe mani cupa. = Driwaru gave me a bottle.

cupa ti (n) bottle lid

curu (adv) liquid dropping constantly

Curu (n) place east of Kulekule, west of Pamvara and Rhino Camp

curu'do (adv) nowadays

cuu (n) market (also cu, chu)

Dd [silent immediately before Jj] & 'D'd [Dhdh]

da (v) pour, get away; (n) smoking pipe eg Ashadi da Kari Fura tibi-a. = Arshad poured Curry Powder in the sauce.

Dabaraca (n) Dabaraca Falls in Koboko

dada (n) dadi, father, nickname given to President Amin for his love of women though his father's name too

dafini (n) duffin(s), doughnut muffin

daka (n) chaff eg of beans, groundnuts, simsim

dakika (n) minute eg Driale, 'ba dria ma ru ni nga kuu dakika 15. = In future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.

daku (n) food Muslims eat before sunrise during Ramadan

dala (n) said of open low-lying land

dali (n) low

dani (adv) maybe, probably, perhaps

dania (n) coriander

danzi (n) dance (also danji, ongo tuza)

Davidi (n) David, Da (also Daudi, Dawudi, Devidi)

de (adv) yet (v) get old; finish (or complete) eg Adebo de azi 'bo. = Adebo has finished the work.

debe (n) metallic container usually rectangular

Debora (n) Deborah, biblical shero

dede (n) grandmother, jajja, gogo in South Africa eg Esita ni ma dede. = Esita is my grandmother.

dedekoa (n) very old woman eg Prinsesi Bagaya ni dedekoa. = Princess Bagaya is a very old woman.

deno (n) debt (also deni, mari)

depoti (n) depot (also dipo) eg Ezuma je Pepsi Alaska Depoti-a. = Ezuma bought Pepsi at Alaska Depot.

dereva (n) driver (also dere'ba, agu motoka onzupi) eg Amosi ni dereva. = Amos is a driver.

deru'bo (adj) finished (also derura)

desi (conj) when (also de) eg Ayirini Manjeri mu 'Bu-a desi eri eli 11. = Irene Manjeri went to Heaven when she was 11 years old.

deza (adj) old

di (conj) so; (v) box, punch; bore; shine

digito (adj) digital (also digitoru) eg Ecikiti ni redio digito ru ni eri. = Ecikiti is listening to a digital radio.

dika (adv) again, nera in Luganda eg Chikago Manio ndeki "NBA" dika, dika, dika. = Chicago Bulls won the NBA again and again and again.

dika dika (adv) repeatedly

dini (n) religion

dinini (adj) religious

dinisa (n) window (also dirisa, derisa, denisa) eg Mara Katushabe ma dinisa-a inze-i. = The glass on Katushabe's window came out.

dipresoni (n) depression, endless misery, prolonged sadness for at least two weeks (also chandi omia) eg Dipresoni peta ni. = Depression is a choice.

diri (n) cassava flour mixed with sorghum flour (also enyasa, inya asa)  

diro (n) dining place

disko (n) disco eg Yoramu ni mu disko tu. = Yoram is going to dance at the disco.

distrikiti (n) district eg Rakai Distrikiti = Rakai District

Diwali (n) Indian Festival of Lights and Triumph or Victory over evil, ignorance, etc

diza (n) light; boredom

Djibuti (n) Djibouti (pronounced Jibuti)

do (v) keep quiet, be calm

dodo (n) amaranth green vegetables (also doodo)

dogodogo (n) train, railway (also reluwe, garamosi) eg Kasiano Ezati Wadri ni imu dogodogo si. = Kasiano Ezati Wadri is coming by train.

dokita (n) doctor (also dakitari, ojoo) eg Nuru mu Dokita Yayi ni ne. = Nuru went to see Dr. Yayi.

dokumentari (n) documentary (also doku)

dole (n) doll

donati (n) donut, doughnut, mandazi eg Isaka le donati je. = Isaac wants to buy a doughnut.

dori (n) hunting expedition

dotikomu (adj) dotcom

dozi (n) doze

dra (adj) bitter; (n) death, funeral (v) die eg Sitani ma dra ecekoko! = The Devil must die!

dra dra (adj) bitter, sour (also draza)

dra ra (past part.) died, dead

Dracunculiasisi (n) Guinea Worm disease

Drajini (n) subcounty in Yumbe District, southwest of Kuru, parish in Arua taken from Yumbe

Dramani (n) male-given name meaning "He died for me", male-given name in Gonja Tribe of Northern Ghana eg Ghana ma prezidenti 'ba omve Dramani. = Ghana's president is called Dramani.

Dramu (n) male-given name, meaning "Death went" or "Death held closed in its palm"

dredre (n) robin bird

dri (adj) hot, (v) warm, heat; (n) head (also drifa); hand eg Ma dri ni ga! = My head is paining!

dri ci (v) suffer (past tense ci dri) eg Yobu ci dri Sitani ma e'yo si. = Job suffered because of the Devil.

dri ndiria (n) right hand (also dri ada)

dri ni aazu mali (n) drowsiness

dri osuza tualu (phr) putting your hands together in one plate to eat food

dria (adv) all (also driadria); on the head, ahead (also driale) eg YESU dra 'ba dria ni! = JESUS died for all/ everybody!

driaviza (n) forgetfulness

driada (n) right hand or side (also dri enya nyazuri)

driadria (n) present, gift hamper eg Adomati nde driadria. = Adomati won a gift hamper.

driago (n) thumb

driale (adv, n) (in) future (also drusi)

drianzi (n, plu. of drimva) fingers

driavi (n) forgetfulness (also driaviza)

dribi (n) hair eg Vincho ni afro dribi su. = Vincho wears afro hair.

Dribidu (n) hairy Lugbara hero ancestor who died on Mt. Wati. His other name which he also gave his first son was Banyale (Eater of men) because he enjoyed human liver and after being discovered was excommunicated from his earlier home in the East Bank of the Albert Nile

dribiforo (n) grey hair

dricepi (n) leader, commander in inter-clan or inter-tribe aggressions

dricere (n) mentor, guardian, the one who guides you to see and go far, headmaster

driceza (n) management, authority, headship, leadership (also dricezu), power eg Prezidenti Shi omve Driceza ma Agbatara ni. = President Xi called for the Leadership Discussion.

driceza o'bi ma egatasi (n) democracy

drieji (n) left hand or side (also drileji, dri iji) eg Agatha ni drieji ayu. = Agatha uses the left hand.

drifa (n) head eg Rodrigo Goesi su golo drifa si. = Rodrygo Goes scored a goal with his head.

drigaza (n) headache

drile (adv) ahead eg Stika kini, "Ama mu drile, acani go vile ku!" = Sticka said, "We are moving ahead, we won't go backwards!"

Drile Agrikeca ma e'yo Onepi (n) Chief Agricultural Officer

Drile Suru ocepi (n) Head of State

drileba (n) luck, fortune, blessing, opportunity eg Ojuelegba-a, 'ba yi ai drileba isuzu. = In Ojuelegba, people pray for blessing.

drilebaru (n) lucky, blessed (also ajiru) eg Ma ama ma drilebaru! = I'm feeling lucky!

drilejo (n) index finger

drilemgbo (v) certification, permission, go ahead, opening for going forward eg "UBOS" nzi drilemgbo. = UBOS certified

drileonzi (n) bad luck, misfortune, witchcraft curse

drimva (n) finger

drinza (n) shame, disgrace, shyness

drinzaru (adj) shameful, disgraceful

drio (adv) early, long ago, sometime back

driokpo (n) stubbornness, rudeness

driondi (n) dirty hand, poison (fig.) 

drionzi (n) stubbornness

dririma (n) punishment

drisi (adj) rote, by head

driwala (n) independence, freedom, liberty eg Yuganda esu driwala eli 1962 si. = Uganda got independence in 1962.

driwaza (v) curse, cast lots

drizaru (adj) warm, hot

dro (v) send away, chase eg Didieri dro azini gba mupira. = Didier chased and kicked the ball.

drota (n) sending away, chasing (also droza)

drozi (adv) the day after tomorrow

dru (adv) tomorrow

dru dru (adv) daily, always

drusi (adv) tomorrow

du (v) grow eg grass, set on fire, sting, (n) point eg Mi 'di 88.7 [Kali-aro-drini-aro du aziri] Arua One ni iri ria, ("sema yote")! = You are listening to 88.7 [Eighty-eight point seven] Arua One, (say it all)!

duani (n) court eg Mindreru ni mu duani-a. = Mindreru is going to court.

Dubai (n) village south of Arua City in Ocoko Parish, Ajia Subcounty with name inspired by the Dubai in United Arab Emirates

Duka Geri (n) Duka Road, bypass road from Adumi Road to Go Down Road via the north end of Arua Taxi Park

dukani (n) shop (also duka) eg "Mambo Bado" ni Drabo ma dukani. = "Mambo Bado" is Drabo's shop.

dulugani (n) pieces of cloth used for newly-born babies

duluka (n) "dance" in Nubian language, a community and tourist attraction where music can even be played on banana stems and considered a Lugbara dance

duruduru (adj) with mental inaptitude

'da (adv) there, that; (v) abuse, insult, name; fast, lick (also dha) eg "Weatherhead Park Lane" ma ru 'ba 'da "Arthur Evelyn Weatherhead" ma vutisi. = Weatherhead Park Lane was named after Arthur Evelyn Weatherhead.

'dale (adv) like that, like it; that side

'dani (adj) free

'dani 'dani (adj) continuous, (adv) continuously, for ever

'dau (adj) empty, missing, lacking (in Aringa and Terego dialects)

'dayi (pron) those, plural of that

'de (v) die, fall, set (said of the sun)

'dere (adv) exactly, on the dot eg Etu 8 (aro) 'dere! = Exactly 2pm!

'di (adj) this, here; (v) kill, rain eg Trisha kini: Mani mi isuzu 'di, aku mi ku. = Trisha said: Now that I have found you here, I will not leave you.

'dia (adv) here

'dini (adv) like this, correct, true

'disi (adv) with this eg Aki (Chinedu Ikedieze) azini "Pawpaw" (Osita Iheme) Ediofe-a saa 'disi! = Aki (Chinedu Ikedieze) and Pawpaw (Osita Iheme) are in Ediofe right now!

'do (adv) here (also 'dole)

'du (n) millet (also anya); (v) immerse slightly, take, pick eg with tongue (also 'doo), belch

Ee [shares many words with Ii]

e ka (conj) if you, when (also i ka) eg E ka te ise osiza ma nga mi ti-a, mi te saa ezu tu! = If you wait for fried grasshoppers to fly into your mouth, then you wait a very long time!

E ko muke (greeting) Did you sleep well? (also Mi efu ngoni?); Sleep well! (also E la muke!)

E li ava asianzu-a! (phr) Rest in peace!, RIP! (also Ma li ava asianzu-a!)

eba (n) buck

Ebea (n) name meaning "In prematurity"

ebe'de (n) tea without sugar, self service (also ibe'de, ebere) eg Ebe'de chi. = There is tea without sugar.

Ebeneza (n) Ebenezer Show or Overnight on New Year's Day in Arua City

ebi (adj) fresh, raw (also ebiru), wet (also ibi); (v) gum, glue, paste eg Vero ma diza ni ebi o'biti woro! = Vero's glory is fresh every morning!

Ebi (n) river in Eastern DR Congo eg Robi enga Miri Ebi-a. = A hippo came from River Ebi.

ebia (n) all-green grasshopper

ebibi (n) leaves, (also ebiko)

ebiza (n) glued, pasted, gummed

eca (v) arrive (also ica) eg Aci eca 'bo! = Electricity has come (already)!

ecandi (v) mistreat, molest, torture

ece (v) show, explain, demonstrate (also ice); miss, (n) calabash (also erece, zukulu) eg Ma ece mi sana! = I missed you a lot!

ecea (n) type of gourd (also okelea)

ecekere (n) bad thing

eceta (n) missing; vision (also iceta)

ecetaru (past part.) as an example

ecetasi (adv) for example

eci (v) deceive, delay; join (also ici)

ecikici  (n) cloudy day (also ecici)

ecita (n) joining (also eciza)

eco (adj) can, capable (also ico) eg Ee ama eco ra! = Yes we can!

econiku (adj) cannot

Ecora (n) male-given name meaning "He can"

ecota (n) (cap)ability

ede (v) clean, make, repair; belittle, make fun of, despise (also ide) eg "Watergen" ni iyi ede oli si. = Watergen makes water using air.

edematararu (adj) contemptuous, pejorative

edeta (n) making, cleaning; foolery

edezu (adv) for cleansing, for purifying, for repair eg Soraye ji ima simu edezu "GT Repair"-a. = Soraye took her phone for repair at GT Repair.

edia (n) chief warden

ediafe (n) pillar, chairperson, leader of the organisation eg Mesi ni Baselona ma ediafe. = Messi is the pillar of Barcelona.

edio (n) tree with many broad leaves and black seeds (also edo, ediako), inspiration for the place name "Ediofe"

Ediofe (n) suburb west of Arua City, location of Sacred Heart of JESUS and Ediofe Cathedral

edre (v) straighten

edri (n) life; mother-in-law; (v) send, pass

edrika (n) mushroom

edriru (adj) alive

edro (n) rat (also edroo, idro, odro), totem for Terego Clan, edible rats (including anabia, omba omba, alucaku, ombaya, etc); (v) chase away

edu (adj) thick, heavy

e'da (n) picture, diagram, photograph (also foto, picha), illustration (also i'da) eg Leonarido Da Vinci ni e'da gba rangi si. = Leonardo Da Vinci is painting a picture.

e'da amve (v) expose

e'data (n) appearance (also e'daza)

e'de (v) fall

e'do (v) start, begin (also i'do, o'do), form, start up or found (an organisation) eg Mira Neya e'do Maisha Filimulabu Kampala-a. = Mira Nair founded Maisha Filmlab in Kampala.

e'dota (n) beginning (also e'doza), source, start (up) eg Yohana Spiki isu "Nile" ma E'dota ni. = John Speke discovered the Source of the Nile.

e'du (v) pick (also i'du)

ee (adv) yes (direct opposite of yo)

efeza (n) gift, present (also asoso)

efi (n) meaning; (v) smear, apply cream on the body

efi kaza (n) yield (also efi 'ya)

efifi (n) tablets, pieces

efita (n) smearing (also efiza)

efu (v) come out, rise eg Katuramu efu aru-a 'bo. = Katuramu came out of the prison already.

Efuru (n) female-given name meaning "Rising (like the sun)" or "Coming out"

efuta (n) coming out of, rising (also efuza)

ega (v) mend; remember, think, resurrect

ega bere (n) calabash used for alcohol

egaa (n) drinking cup from a gourd-like plant called ireje

Egaru (n) name meaning "Mended"

egata (n) thought, company vision

egaraka (n) crab, water animal with five legs on each side and large claws on the front two

egbe (n) sweet; coldness, (v) make cold

egbere (n) white ants collected in the early morning (4:30-6:00am) for making obangulu

egberu (adj) sweet, cold (also egbezaru)

egbuluku (n) hornbill

ei (n) owner (also eii) eg Kasimu ni ei ni. = Kasim is the owner.

ejakulesoni (n) ejaculation, orgasm

ejasi (n) tree stump

eje fala (n) rib bone

eji (v) left hand or side (also iji); bring (also aji), resemble

Ejipiti (n) Egypt (also Ejipto, Ejipito) eg Mo Sala enga Ejipiti-a. = Mohammed Salah comes from Egypt.

ejita (n) resemblance (also ejiza)

eju (n) twin (also iju); (v) stretch) eg Nyakato ni eju. = Nyakato is a twin.

Ejua (n) male-given name for a twin (also Ejoa, Ejuru [female], Ejoru - similar to Kato, Wasswa, Waiswa, Isabirye, Nabirye, Babirye, Nakato, Nyakato)

Ejupala (n) trading centre near Ewanga

ejuta (n) raising, prolonging, stretching (also ejuza)

eka (adj) red; (n) sugarcane (also ekaka or ika), (v) help eg Muyindi Eka ma suru azi ma ru Chiyeni. = One of the Red Indian tribes was called Cheyenne.

Ekarakafe (n) place in Vurra, where the Sultan Isara Memorial Library is located

ekele (n) cough (also okele)

eki (pron) they (also iki, ki, eyi) eg Amuku azini Anyaku, eki akua. = Amuku and Anyaku, they are at home.

ekile (adj) like

ekilizia (n) church, cathedral (also kanisa, kathidro)

ekizibiti (n) exhibit, evidence

eko stovu (n) eco stove that uses volcanic rock for cooking instead of charcoal or firewood, takes two years for the rock to burn out eg Sandra ni eko stovu ayu. = Sandra is using an eko stove.

ekosani coroni (n) ecosan (ecological sanitation) latrine, envirolet

eku (v) announce, make noise (also iku)

ekuta (n) praise, noise, announcement (also ikuta, ekuza)

Ekweta (n) Equator eg Yi ni aci ndundu Ekweta ma dria azini eri ma kala iri Koriolisi ma e'yo si. = Water moves differently on the Equator and its two sides because of Coriolis.

ela (n) kind of thorny plant with hard orange fruits

ele (adj) down, (v) change position

elekendre (n) chameleone

Elekitoro Komisoni (n) Electoral Commission

eli (n) lust, desire for sth, thigh; knife; year, dry season, make fall, tickle eg Werasoni osi Moliambo-a Krismasi si eli 1965. = Werrason was born in Moliambo on Christmas Day in the year 1965.

Eli O'di Ayikoru! (phr) Happy New Year, Bonane!

elifura (n) dust (also erifura and furuku)

elio (n) fig tree

eliriga (n) millipede

elivu elivu (adv) yearly

ema (n) owl (also emaa, imaa) eg Aturo ne ema pati ma garama dria. = Arthur saw an owl on the branch of a tree.

emba (n) moon (also mba), net; teach (also imba) eg "Against Malaria Foundation (AMF)" awa emba yiyia ni arobe. = Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) distributed treated mosquito nets.

embapi (n) teacher (usually imbapi), coach, manager

embata (n) teaching, education (also embaza, imbata, onita)

embeleke (n) gorilla, ape, chimpanzee, golden 50,000 UGX CHOGM Monument banknote with Independence Sculpture and apes at the back - mazike (also emgbeleke) eg Mwiga ni gu embeleke le. = Mwiga laughs like a chimpanzee.

embu (v) jump

embuta (n) jumping

emgbele (adj) large, big

emi (pron) you (plu.); (v) push towards eg Emi imu anya! = (You) come and we eat [Luganda: Mujje tulye]!

emu (v) mix things together, come

emunyale (n) refugee (also omunyale)

emve (adj) white (pronounced ehnve), (n) ankle ring eg Karimu Benjema su sati emve. = Karim Benzema wore a white shirt.

Emve (n) river on the Koboko Highway after Enyau River (also Imve, pronounced Inve)

emvu (n) orphan; pot

emvua (n) young orphan; small pot

ena (v) bewitch

enata (n) witchcraft (also acife)

endiria (n) duicker (also ovaa)

endra (n) meanness, selfishness, (v) gaze

endraako (n) generosity

endrakokoru (adj) generous eg "Alak SG" kini: Ma endrakokoru tu; ma nga aa muke! = Alak SG said: I'm too generous; I'll be fine!

endraru (adj) selfish, mean, stingy

endrau (n) selfish person

endri (n) shade (also endrika) eg "Fat A" ri endri-a. = Fat A sat in the shade.

endrilendri (n) shadow

endru (n) vice, assistant, deputy (also undru) eg Silvano Munduni engazu Katri ni Anzenzea Endru Terego-a = Silvano Munduni from Katri is the Deputy Speaker in Terego.

Endru (n) place in Arua

endrundrua (n) leech

enga (v) originate, derive, emerge, come from; germinate, rise eg Edwini enga "SMACK"-a. = Edwin came from SMACK.

engaza (n) germination

engazu (adv) since (also ingazu)

engu (v) exalt, praise (also epi)

enya (n) food (also inya, nyaka, ena in Terego dialect) eg Fene ni enya. = Jackfruit is food.

enyakinya (n) poison (also enyataa)

enyasa (n) staple bread from cassava, millet, sorghum or maize flour (also inyasa, atapa, kalo), mush

enyata (n) poison eg 'Ba azi fe Sera ni enyata. = Someone gave Sera poison.

enyati (n) clan, zone, area of residence, constituency, community (also zoni, komuniti)

Enyau (n) longest River Nile tributary in Arua flowing northwards from Ezuku Forest Reserve in Vurra near DRC via Ediofe Bridge and pours into the Albert Nile after bending eastwards through northern Ayivu and Terego (also Anyau, Inyau) eg Wambuzi ma Bambu Vileji ni Enyau Gerika-a. = Wambuzi's Bamboo Village is on Enyau Road.

enyi (n) skin; (prep) near (also enyia, inyi, inyia) eg Lubega ma jo Lidia dri vu enyi. = Lubega's house is near Lydia's.

enza (n) laziness; (v) trouble, mistreat

enzamatara (n) mistreatment (also enzaza)

enzo (n) lie, deception 

enzo liza (n) lying, lie

enzo'ba (n) liar, deceiver

enzoru (adj) deceptive

epi (v) exalt (also engu), praise, put on air, be proud

Epife (n) Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari (Katukiro in Busoga, Katikiro in Buganda) eg Ismaili Tuku ni Epife. = Ismail Tuku is the Prime Minister of Lugbara Kari.

epinga (n) putting on airs, pride (also epita, epiza)

era (n) granary (also ero), stone; flow

era mva (n) peeble, piece of rock

eraka (n) red soil that gets caught on your foot when you step into a pond or edge of a river, mixed with oil or fat and smeared on the body to give a reddish look, used by Congolese too eg Mulato ni i-ma rua tri eraka si. = Mulato smears her body with eraka soil.

Eraka (n) trading centre in Aliba Parish, about a mile east of Lokiragodo T-Junction

eraza (n) flow

ere (v) top up, add, increase; scatter, spread

erece (n) calabash (also co'do, irece, egagbere in Maracha dialect, okele in Madi dialect, okelea, zukulu)

ereta (n) scattering, spreading (also ereza)

erezaru (adj) scattered

eri (pron) he/ she/ it; (v) hear, listen) eg Ludia ni Rozi Muhando ma ongo eri. = Ludia is listening to Rose Muhando's music.

Eri ma orindi ma li ava asianzu 'dani 'dani ri ma-a! (phr) May his/ her soul rest in eternal peace!/ RIP

eri-i (pron) him/ her

erio (n) aerial, antenna

erita (n) listening (also eriza)

eriti (adv) for good; (n) clouds

eritiru (adj) cloudy

Eritrea (n) Danieli ni gari nzu Eritrea ni. = Daniel cycles a bike for Eritrea.

ero (n) granary (also eroo), woven basket-like storage facility with a dome-shaped thatch roof, storage facility for food and valuable items, beneath also serves as a location for the sacrificial altar, solace place for troubled people, songs are composed under it, taboo for men to climb into it, hiding place for children during war, complete removal of the top is a bad omen for starvation; (v) lift a heavy thing eg Nema ero oni. = Nema lifted a rock.

ero 'dipi (n) treasurer

Ero Wudrikuru dri (n) World Bank

erota (n) heavy lifting (also eroza)

Eru (n) river between Mt. Liru and Wati, drains into Enyau

Erua (n) name given by Kebu to Arua Hill

Eruba (n) place near Odia Nyadri on the Nebbi Highway at the junction heading to Vurra, name given by Kebu during their migration meaning "Respect people, do not transgress"

esekele (n) midst eg ama esekele-a = in our midst

esele (n) demarcation, border, difference, variant, variation, division in exam results eg Anzi 100 aga ki Esele 1 ma-a. = 100 children passed in Division 1.

esese (n) gum, glue

Esita (n) Esther (also Esiteri)

eskoti (n) escort, accompaniment for e'bede tea such as groundnuts, potatoes, cassava, etc eg Okirori ni eskoti nya. = Okiror is eating escort.

esu (n) tendon, muscle; (v) find, discover, get (also isu) eg E ka eri nda, mi eri isu Ginesi Buku-a. = If you're looking for him, you can find him in the Guinness Book.

etata (n) run off, torrent

etatambua (n) frog-jumping

etatangule (n) tadpole

eti (n) buttocks; tamarind (more often iti); (prep) bottom; Mount Eti (also Iti or Wati)

eti e'do (v) invest, start up a business

eti e'doza (n) start-up (investment), beginning

etia (prep) underneath

etiriko (n) snail

etirili (n) cricket (also etiringili)

eto (n) hare, rabbit (also oto); (v) rescue eg YESU, mi eto ma! = JESUS, (you) rescue me!

etota (n) redemption (also etoza)

etra (v) collect, gather

etru (v) come close; untie

etu (n) sun, borossus tree (also itu, otu)

etu ambo (n) day of celebration, public holiday, Christmas

Etu ambo ''Bakalafe Wudrikuru-a ri ni (n) World Population Day

etu ni 'deria (n) west (also ayia, woko etu ni 'deria)

etu ni efuria (n) east (also andrale, woko etu ni efuria)

etuka (n) sunshine

etusi (adv) during the day

etusile (n) sunshine

euetere (n) breakfast (also obiti)

eve (v) burn (also ive)

eveta (adj) burnt (also eveza)

evu (n) basket made from sorghum stems or shoots and used for gathering harvests

evua (n) small basket plate

ewa (n) elephant; difficulty, beer (also iwa), strength eg Ewa ni aa ase-a. = An elephant resides in the bush.

Ewanga (n) parish according to Ministry of Finance but subcounty according to the Ministry of Local Government, island-like extension on River Enyau which is a tributary of River Nile separated from Moyo by River Foligo, former parish under Rigbo Subcounty and part of Aringa in false maps but then a subcounty on its own in Arua District, also claimed to be Madiland because the main language spoken is Madi, elevated to subcounty in 2005, disputed over since 1993 from records - too far to be administered by Arua and proposal made to hand it to Yumbe but there was no alteration of boundaries by Parliament since Independence

Ewapa (n) Elephantiasis

ewaru (adj) difficult (also ewaewa, iwaru, owaowa) eg Fe eca ewaru tu mani mi lezu. = S/he made it so hard for me to love you.

ewasi (n) elephant tusk, ivory

ewe (v) sweep (also iwe, we) eg Bayi ni stowa ale ewe. = Bayi is sweeping the store floor.

ewu (n) era, period, season (also mange)

Ewuata (n) suburb south of Arua City and west of Muni near Nebbi Highway

eyi (pron) they, them eg Ocitia ji eyi Malayika-a. = Ocitia took them to Malayika.

eyio (n) crocodile

e'yere (adv) slowly (also iere)

e'yo (n) word, issue, saying, matter, sentence, clause (also eyho) eg Apedelu kini afazi etu ma vule-a 'bani eco nze e'yo 100 (turu alu) si ku ni yo. = Apedel said there is nothing under the sun that cannot be discussed with 100 words.

e'yo a'bi ni (n) heritage, culture (also kalic[h]a)

e'yo alenia 'diyi (n) contents

e'yo azi yo (phr) no other issue, no problem, no wahala

e'yo bari (n) good news, gospel (also e'yo ba) eg Sharapova eri e'yo bari. = Sharapova heard good news.

e'yo drikulu (n) headlines (also e'yo drikulukulu)

e'yo eceza (n) revelation eg "Ikinyang" isu e'yo eceza. = Ikinyang got a revelation.

e'yo eriza (n) listening (also erita), news especially on broadcast media

e'yo laza (n) news (also e'yo eriza, o'duko) eg E'yo laza: Edisoni Adiribo kini 'ba ma du amvu ti ku. = News: Edison Adiribo said people must not set garden ends on fire.

e'yo li (v) judge

e'yo lipiri (n) judge (also agu e'yo lipiri)

e'yo liza (n) judgement, justice (also e'yo amaza muke ri), the early Lugbara had a boiling medicine oracle (diviner) who used a snail shell - the operator pours medicine from the pot into small clay cups set in a smouldering fire (Smaller cups represent suspects and the larger with a handle confirms verdicts)

e'yo ndu ndu efini be (n) glossary

e'yo niza (n) knowledge

e'yo nzeza (n) spoken word

e'yo o'beza (n) proverb(s), olugero in Luganda

e'yo politiki ni (n) politics

e'yo 'yo (v) speak

e'yobuku (n) dictionary eg Agaba ni e'yobuku la. = Agaba is reading a dictionary.

eza (n) meat; sin (also ezata, izata), (v) spoil (also iza) eg Andala nya eza ku. = Andala does not eat meat.

eza oluza (n) tell out sins

ezata (n) act that destroys or leads to sickness and death for instance incest, homicide, illegitimate pregnancy, persistent quarelling, repeated fighting

Ezayi (n) male-given name meaning "Wasted water or sperms"

eze (n) dung, faeces, waste matter eg 'Ba atri ongo omvele "Eze" avizu redio-a. = The song entitled "Faeces" was stopped from playing on radio.

eze zeze (n) defecation

ezele (n) anus

ezi (adj) long; (v) open; pray

ezia (adj) thin

Ezia (n) Asia eg Kimani ni Ezia-a. = Kimani is in Asia.

ezo (n) girlfriend, fiancee; warthog, wild pig (also ezoo)

ezoanzi (n) girls eg Ezoanzi maliru. = Girls are like wealth.

ezopi (n) daughters

ezu (adj) long, tall; (v) multiply

Ezuku (n) place in Vurra, where the Isara Memorial Cultural Community Library (IMCCL) Project is located and where the Centenary of Christianity in West Nile was celebrated by the Anglican Church of Uganda (2018), source of River Enyau

ezuta (n) multiplication (also sometimes ezuza)

Ff

fa (v) cut, scrape

fakini (adj, adv) absolutely messed up

fala (n) bone (also falako or coko)

faleko ondriza (n) polio (also falako ondriza)

Fama (n) FM, Frequency Modulation eg 94.1 (Kali-oromi-drini-su, du alu) Nailu Fama = 94.1 (Ninety-four, point one) Nile FM

fara (n) fool, stupid person (also fala, yala)

farasi (n) horse (also akanya) eg Agupi su nzuki farasi dria E'yo Eceza 6-a. = Four men rode on horses in Revelation 6.

farisei (n) pharisee

Fasi fasi (interj) Give way

fayilu (n) file, folder, sharpening file (also failu, fayiro) eg Kalibala nzi fayilu. = Kalibala opened the file.

faza (n) scraping, cutting eg hair with razor blade

fe (n) tree; (v) give, offer eg MUNGU ni fe ra, 'ba ma itisa 'ba ku! = GOD gives, noone should frighten one!

federesoni (n) federation eg FUFA (Federesoni Yuganda ma Ongulumu dria Mupira ni) pe Muhamadi Shabani (I)jagasoni "MVP" ru eli 2016 si. = FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations) voted Muhammad Shaban (I)jagason as MVP in the year 2016.

federo (n) federal state, federalism

feki (n) fake (also feke)

fene (n) jackfruit eg Mugisha ni fene li. = Mugisha is cutting jackfruit.

fesibuku (n) facebook (also miletibuku) eg Andeku ni fesibuku-a ci. = Andeku is available on facebook.

feta (n) gift, pass, present (also feza) eg Guadiola ni Feta ma Opi. = Guardiola is the Pass Master.

fi (n) cold (also fita or fiza); intestine, innards, offals, (suffix) added for ordinary substances to express single particles or pieces like irafi means tiny piece of stone; (v) enter

fifi (adj) cold

filimu (n) film (also sinema) eg Joeli Okuyo Atiku (ru azini Prynsi) avi Waikilifu-i filimu "Battle of the Souls"-a. = Joel Okuyo Atiku (aka Prynce) played Wycliffe in the film Battle of the Souls.

filimu e'yo adaniri (n) documentary (also dokumentari, doku)

Filipino (n) Philippine citizen or national language of The Philippines

finali (n) final (also abala asizuri, fainolu) eg Mikaeli Joridani nde "NBA" Finali woro 6 (azia) erini cazuri. = Michael Jordan won all the six NBA Finals he reached.

firindi (n) whistle (also firimbi)

fita (n) entrance

fiva (n) fever (also driza) eg Palerimo ni supatele tu fiva tro. = Palermo is kicking the supertele with fever.

flaski (n) flask

fo (v) itch

fonje fonje (n) soft

fomu (n) form, online application (also karatasi ofizaru) eg Fatuma ni i-ma fomu ofi. = Fatuma is filling in her form.

foro (adj) grey (also foroforo or foroto); tilapia eg Akulo su bongo foroforo. = Akullo wore a grey dress.

foto (n) photo (also i'da)

fotokopi (n) photocopy eg Musa gba fotokopi "Makutano Junction" vu. = Moses made a photocopy near Makutano Junction.

Frenji (n) French (also Frenzi), 3rd Most Spoken Language from outside Africa after Arabic and English (also Franse)

fu (n) flower, (v) go out; fight, kill eg Leni ni fu gba. = Leni is drawing a flower.

fulani (n) vest

fundi (n) builder, constructor, mason, technician, painter, repairer eg Nyero ni fundi Fawundesoni 55 (towi towi)-a. = Nyero is a constructor in 55 Foundation.

fungua (n) key

funo (n) groundnut(s) (also funyo)

funyu (n) bits, fragments

funyu funyu (adj) in bits, fragmented

fura (n) flour, powder (also pawuda)

furufuru (n) lung eg Furufuru si 'ba ava se. = Lungs are for breathing.

futa (n) fight

fuza (n) getting out

Gg [silent immediately before Bb]

ga (adj) full (also ga tre), (v) ache eg head, chop eg tree, cut, dig; crawl, refuse eg YESU ga mi ku! = JESUS does not reject you!

gaa (adj) small, little (also gakandia or gakanya)

gaagaa (n) crow

gadi gadi (n) wheelbarrow-like push cartwheel usually wooden but can also be metallic used to ferry groceries for sale on streets

gakandia (adj) small, little (also gakanya)

gala'ba (n) snake (also gala, ori), cobra eg Gala'ba ni 'ba ci. = A snake bites people.

galu galu (adj) not compact eg Kaka 'di galu galu! = This maize is not compact.

Gambia (n) place in Africa where the Lugbara settled while migrating from Nigeria

gamete (n) government

Gana (n) Ghana eg Nadia Buari enga Gana-a. = Nadia Buari is from Ghana.

garaji (n) garage, workshop eg Walusimbi ma Garaji = Walusimbi's Garage

garama (n) branch of a plant

gari (n) bicycle (also karia), vehicle; rainbow eg Richadi ni i-ma gari ji ide. = Richard is taking his bicycle for repair.

garimosi (n) train (also dogodogo)

gasia (n) rubbish (also gasiya) eg Agupi alu ma gasia ni agupi azini ma kashi. = One man's trash is another man's cash.

gatre (adj) full, filled

gavuna (n) governor

gaza (n) crawl; refusal

gaze (n) traditional Lugbara dance with energetic transition of movements influenced by neighbouring Congolese communities

gazeti (n) newspaper (also waraga, magazini, magazeti) eg Davidi Rupini e'do "West Niler" Gazeti. = David Rupiny started West Niler Newspaper.

gba (v) beat, hit, strike, draw picture, take or snap photo, print

gbanda (n) cassava (also banda, olaa) which includes types like sanje and tongolo which can last for five years eg "Brens" sa gbanda Mbale-a. = Brens planted cassava in Mbale.

Gbandolite (n) home area of President Mobutu Sese Seko where Lugbara settled during their migration from Nigeria

gbanza (n) debt (also deni, deno)

gbata (n) phone call

gbe (n) egg eg Amanya je augbe. = Amanya bought a chicken egg

gbee (n) fox that resembles a dog (also o'boloko), someone who steals village fowl and goats

gbeta (n) vomit (also gbeza)

gbi (v) shoot eg Kleyi ni bi azini gbi. = Klay catches and shoots.

gbita (n) shot (also gbiza)

gbolo (n) bed

Gboro (n) Lugbara ancestor in mythology who hunted water animals like hippopotamus, crocodile and fish. He was the father of Oli (Banyale), Olu (Angundru who ran away but left footprints on Mt. Wati till today), Kibira (Ajupiri) and Obaru

Gborogboro (n) superhuman Lugbara hero ancestor, first man created by ADROU and his name means "the person coming from the sky"

gborondu (n) unsocial

gbudri (n) shoulders

gbuluku (n) hornbill

gele (n) headgear

geri (n) way, path (also gerika, geriko, giri, girika or giriko) eg YESU ni geri. = JESUS is the way.

geria (adv) on the way (also giria)

gerialu (n) oneway

gerika (n) road (also geri, geriko) eg Idi Amini Gerika ni e'do Oilu Welu Odu Stesoni-a = Idi Amin Road starts at Oil Well Petrol Station.

Gerika Amvu'yaza Ombo Otuzu (n) Agricultural Production and Marketing (APM)

geritia (adv) along the way, by the path

geti (n) gate eg Nyagua ni geti gba rangi eka si. = Nyagua is painting the gate with red paint.

geto (n) ghetto

Giligili (n) suburb west of Arua City after Ediofe

Giriki (n) Greek eg Sembuya ni aa Giriki vu anyia. = Sembuya stays near a Greek.

Girimani (n) Germany, Deutschland, German language or person eg "Mergelsberg" ni Girimani-a. = Mergelsberg is in Germany.

girinaki (adj) unkempt like hair (also girikinya, gurukunya)

giriye (n) certain meal from Koboko

gita (n) guitar eg Bobu avi gita. = Bob played the guitar.

glavu (n) glove eg Dokita Avivu su glavu dria. = Doctor Aviv wore gloves on the hand.

go (v) return

gobolo (n) louse, lice

go'dogo'do (adj) crooked (also gonigoni)

gogolo (n) waterslide

golfu (n) golf (also golufu, golofu, opangi) eg Shanita ni golfu avi. = Shanita is playing golf.

golo (n) football, goal eg Siza Okuti su golo. = Caesar Okhuti scored a goal.

gologota (n) place of burial, graveyard

Gologota (n) Golgotha, the Place of a Skull in Jerusalem

goloko (n) bushy or grassy place

gombolola (n) subcounty (also jo ago), division eg Ajira Gombolola = Ajira Subcounty

gonigoni (adj) crooked

gonja (n) plantain (also makemba)

goro (n) type of drug eg Eriki ni goro nya. = Eric consumes goro.

gorofa (n) storeyed building eg Nagimesi ni aa gorofa sia. = Nagimesi stays on a storeyed building.

gospo (n) gospel

grinedi (n) grenade

grupu (n) group

gu (v) roll, turn over; laugh eg Sarai gu. = Sarai laughed.

Gugo (n) Google (also Googolu, Googo, Gugolu) eg Sageyi Brini azini Lari Peji e'do Gugo ni. = Sergey Brin and Larry Page started Google.

guke (n) trumpet used by boys and men in most of their dance (also guka)

Gulu (n) place in Northern Uganda found east of Arua and Rhino Camp plus Amuru, north of Masindi eg Chobe Safari Loji ni Gulu ma ageia. = Chobe Safari Lodge is near Gulu.

gunyagunya (adj) much (said of greeting) eg A zi mi gunyagunya. = I greet you very much.

guru (n) deep; (v) fell over, turned over

gurunya (n) type of yam, creeping plant that grows on other plants for support 

guta (n) laughter eg Hahaha, ata mba kirikiri! Wa, hahaha, eh, hahaha!

gutiya (n) sack eg Dintile je gutiya "Ndedra Stores"-a. =  Dintle bought a sack at Ndedra Stores.

Hh

hajati (n) hajjati, a female who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca

haji (n) haj, hajji, a male who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca

hakalu (n) temple eg Koneliasi si hakalu. = Cornelius built a temple.

haki (n) right (borrowed from Swahili)

Haleluya (adj, n) Pentecostal, Saved, Hallelujah, Bornagain group (also Krosi) eg Kanisa Haleluya ni = Pentecostal Church

hau (adj) quick, brief

hau hau (adj) rough

Hausa (n) language and tribe in Nigeria, 2nd Most Spoken African Language after Swahili

Hediboyi (n) Headboy

Hedigalu (n) Headgirl

Hepataitisi (n) Hepatitis

hijabu (n) hijab, Muslim headscarf, veil eg Rebeka su hijabu. = Rebecca wore a hijab.

ho (adj) open (also hu)

Holandi (n) Holland, Netherlands eg "Overmars" enga Holandi-a. = Overmars is from Holland.

Holi (n) Hindu festival of colours

horohoro (adj) light

Hospito Geri (n) Hospital Road eg "Container Village" ni andra Hospito Geri-a. = Container Village used to be on Hospital Road.

hoteli (n) hotel eg "Desert Breeze" ni hoteli mini ico esu "Arua Golf Course" ma ageia. = Desert Breeze is a hotel you can find near the Arua Golf Course.

Humsa (n) Lugbara splinter tribe that moved from Chad through Nuba Mountains into Western Ethiopia and call water yi plus fire aci in addition to other words just like the Lugbara of Uganda

huruhuru (adj) satisfied, when something plastic is filled to the brim

Ii [shares many words with Ee]

i (prefix, pron) his/ her/ its - separated from object owned by hyphen; (suffix) that is him/ her/ it - separated by hyphen (v) grind into powder; tie eg to a peg eg 'Da Denisi-i! = That is Denis!

i ka (prep) if (also e ka, i-ka)

iba (n) Ugandan kob, Thomasi

ibi (v) gum, glue, stick (also ebi); has/ have been eg Hana ibi MUNGU ai. = Hannah has been praying to GOD.

ibio (n) spider (also ibioibio, inikiniki)

ibiokamanaka (n) spider web

i'bi (n) fish (also e'bi) eg I'bi ki ma ni. = The fish is the one that swallowed me.

i'bu (n) hoe (also e'bu); (v) overflow (said of sth cooking)

ica (v) arrive eg Asara ica 'bo. = Asara has arrived.

icandi (v) torture

icata (n) arrival (also icaza)

ice (n) calabash; (v) demonstrate, show off; miss

icea (n) small calabash

iceta (n) demonstration, example, specimen (also eceta)

ici (adj) bad weather (during rainy season); (v) join, connect; deceive eg Saa azirisi, orobi ni Edi ma dri ici ici. = Other times, dreams lie to Edi.

icikici (n) cloudy day especially in rainy season

icikili (n) black ants that move in a group and can sting

icita (n) deceipt; joining, connection

ico (adj) can, capable (also eco); (phr v) beat eg Ico aco ku! = Do not wage a fight!

iconiku (adj) cannot, can't

icu (v) praise

ida (v) pour

ide (v) clean; minimise, abuse, make fun of, despise (also ede)

idematara (n) insult, foolery (also edematara)

Idi (n) Africanised name for the Arabic word Eid, Muslim feast at the end of Ramadan or Hijja Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, name given to the 3rd Ugandan President Amin by his father Andrea Amin Dada because he was born on Eid Day (Wednesday 30th May 1928 which is 10 Dhu-al-Hijjah 1346 in the Islamic Calendar)

idia (n) laity, church commoners (also kiti)

idra (n) mother-in-law (also idrapi)

idri (n) life; (v) send, pass (also edri) eg Hezekiya awi idri ru eli 15 dika. = Hezekiah stayed alive for 15 more years.

idria (n) razor blade (also idri) eg Hamida ni karile ma dribi li idria si. = Hamida is cutting the young man's hair with a razor blade.

idrika (n) mushroom

idrita (n) sending (also idriza)

idu (v) light fire; praise

i'da (n) photo, picture, diagram, drawing; (v) show, appear, broadcast or screen on TV eg Sofi ni i'da gba. = Sophie is shooting a photo.

i'da ci (adj) visible (also i'da ce)

i'da ku (adj) invisible

i'data (n) appearance (also i'daza)

i'di (n) porridge eg MUNGU mvu i'di ku. = GOD does not drink porridge.

i'do (v) start, begin (also e'do) eg Aiko i'do i-ma studio "Mt." Wati Geri-a. = Aiko started his studio on Mt. Wati Road.

i'dota (n) start, beginning (also i'doza)

iere (adv) slowly (also e'yere)

ifi (n) truth, reality, meaning, seed eg Korini Ekaru sa ifi Mutundwe-a. = Corinne Ekaru planted seeds in Mutundwe.

ifi kokoru (adj) meaningless

ifu (n) white ants gathered in the late afternoon around 3-4pm (also ofu)

iga (v) remember, think

igbe (n) coldness

igo (v) return eg Tasule igo. = Tasule returned.

igota (n) return

ija (n) firewood (also eja) eg Peri ni ija asi. = Perry is splitting firewood.

ije (n) rib

ijele (n) neighbour (also jo ijele, jirani)

iji (adj, adv) left side; (v) bring eg Mi iji mi idri ta mba YESU ma banki-a. = Bring your life to keep in JESUS's bank.

ijiribi (n) green vegetable (also ejiribi)

iju (n) lower hind part of leg, twins; (v) stretch

ika (adj) red; (n) sugarcane; (v) encourage

Ikafe (n) place in Yumbe, used as a refugee settlement area, about 60 kilometres from Arua

ikikia (n) small black ant

iko (v) fetch liquid

ikoza (n) fetching, scoop(ing)

ikpa (v) press

ikpata (n) pressing (also ikpaza)

ikpere (n) selfishness

ikpereru (adj) selfish

iku (v) announce, make noise

ila (n) thorny bush that bears hard and orange fruits

ile (adv) down, (adj) low, (n) change

ili (n) knife, trowel (also ilia though can mean small knife); thigh; (v) chase, cut with knife or other tool, slide eg in football, roll, tickle eg Morini ni a'bua opi ili si. = Maureen is peeling bananas using a knife.

ilifiri (n) lust, craving, covetousness (also elifiri, tama)

ilifura (n) dust

ilipaku (n) brother heart fruit, tree with fleshy fruit that grows wild (also mundu i'di)

ilipili (adv) the only one, alone, lonely; (n) traditional knife

ilo (v) touch

ilu (v) look, descend, make a hole through, tell

ililua (n) small hole or opening created by removing the top surface using fingers or a tool

ima (n) owl; (pron) his/ her/ its (also i-ma, archaic 'ima)

imba (n) net; (v) teach; harden eg Mayokia ni 'ba imba Maracha Sekondari-a. = Mayokia teaches (people) at Maracha Secondary.

imba 'ba (n) teachers, educators, instructors, tutors, mentors

imbata (n) teaching, tutorial, lesson, education (also imbaza, embata)

imbapi (n) teacher eg Liliani ni imbapi. = Lilliane is a teacher.

imbi (n) remainder

imbu (v) jump towards you

imbuta (n) jump towards you

imve (adj) white colour (pronounced inve); (v) make white eg Ma Prezidenti ini, te eri ma jo woro imve. = My president is Black, but his house is all white.

Imvepi (n) parish in Odupi Subcounty of Terego County in Arua District, one of Arua's Refugee Settlement Areas opened in February 2017 to host South Sudanese

imvi (n) white chalk; (v) return, come back (for 2nd or 3rd person) eg Nayiti imvi ini si. = Night returned at night.

imvo (n) orphan

imvu (n) pot (pronounced invu), orphan; (v) drown

imu (phr v) come; mix eg Mi imu mavu! = Come to me!

Imvuatiluru (n) waterfalls on top of which Kuluva Dam was built, accessed through Ushindi

ina (v) appear eg Joni Rambo ina ase-a. = John Rambo appeared in the bush.

inata (n) appearance

inda (v) search, google

indaneti (n) internet eg angu imve indaneti = white space internet

Inde (n) place between Upper and Lower Madi

indi (adv) too eg Dangote ni simiti ide indi. = Dangote makes cement too.

India (n) India eg Karo ni mu India-a. = Carol is going to India.

indrika (n) shade (also endrika) eg Nola ri indrika-a. = Nola is sitted in the shade.

inga (prep) from (also enga), (v) germinate, originate, come up, wake up; wake up sb

ini (adj) black, dark; (n) night, darkness; (v) dirten, clean, erase eg Ini si = At night

inibiricici (adj) very dark (also inicici)

inikini (adj) darkish

inikiniki (n) spider (also ibio, ibioibio)

inima (n) curse or dark covering that follows sb or their relatives due to sin

iniriko (n) skin, hide (also inyiriko)

iniru (adj) black, dark

inshuarensi (n) insurance eg Kasimo ni azi nga "Christopher Morgan" Inshuarensi-a. = Kasimo works at Christopher Morgan Insurance.

instusoni (n) institute, institution (also instituti, institusoni) eg "Kinsey" mu instusoni-a. = Kinsey went to the institute.

inze (v) pull out, remove (pronounced inje)

inzi (v) adore, glorify, respect; squeeze (pronounced inji) eg Yemala mi inzi mini MUNGU ma ru ori kokoru. = Yemala respect for yourself GOD's name without shame/ fear.

inzita (n) respect, adoration, glorification eg Inzita ma so pa i-ma pari-a! = Let respect stand in its place/ All protocol observed! (fig.)

inzo (n) lie(s), falsehood(s), deception(s)

inzu (v) run towards

ipa (v) attach; rob, take away forcefully

ipe (v) vote, move with a stick eg Ipe Abiriga! = Vote Abiriga!

ipi (n) chin (also tiso); (v) praise eg Tibitibi ni zo ipi dria. = Beards grow on the chin.

ipita (n) praise

ira (n) granary

ireje (n) plant that grows like a gourd from which drinking cups are cut

iri iri (adj) two by two

iribi (n) pasture, green vegetable (also tibi ini) eg Adia ni iribi a'di. = Adia is cooking green vegetables.

iridri (n) compound (also iri)

irifia (n) wasp eg Irifia du ma. = The wasp stung me.

iriko (adj) damaged, old eg "Pallet Hub" ni mbawu iriko ayu dika ra. = Pallet Hub can use damaged wood again.

irikoko (adj) stinking

irita (n) listening, hearing

iriti (adv) indefinitely; (n) cloud(s)

iritro (adv, adj, pron) both

irizori (adj) the second one (also irizo, irizuri) eg Danielu Arapu Moi ni andra Kenya ma prezidenti irizori. = Daniel Arap Moi was Kenya's second president.

isaku (n) sieve, container with holes at the bottom for filtering local salt or aitipa from ash

ise (n) grasshopper, symbol in Maracha; (v) pull (also ese) eg Ise Nyendo (Masaka)-a angiri. = Grasshoppers are plenty in Nyendo (Masaka).

isekise (n) gum, glue

isi (adj) automatic (v) you write; move, climb down

Isiraeli (n) Israel (also Israeli) eg "North West" isu ru biza Isiraeli-a. = North West received baptism in Israel.

isita (n) movement, climbing down (also isiza)

islamuni (n) islamic eg Opi Fahadi ni islamuni. = King Fahd is islamic.

isu (v) find, get, receive (also esu); muscle eg Mi eco Wendi ni isu Alanosi-a ra! = You can find Wendy at Alanos Country Club!

isuta (n) finding

Italia (n) Italy (also Itali) eg "AC Milan" enga Italia-a. = AC Milan is from Italy.

ite (v) prepare eg porridge

Itegbara (n) half-breed who is both Itesot and Lugbara, someone with parents from both Teso and Lugbaraland (also Lugbateso) eg Eli ni Itegbara. = Eli is an Itegbara.

iti (n) tamarind (sometimes eti) eg Lugbara azi ki iti omve IT. = Some Lugbara call tamarind IT [pronounced eye tea].

itini odaza (n) foundation (also itini o'beza)

itisi (n) coiled cloth or other material on which a pot is carried on the head

ito (v) rescue

itota (n) rescue (also itoza)

Itso (n) Lugbara clan in DR Congo (pronounced Icho meaning "Able" [This information was from John Godo]), probably Otsho

itu (n) coconut palm, borassus tree; sun; (v) kick

ituku (n) minute

itusi (adv) during the day

Ive ra! (phr) You got burnt/ Thanks for the food! (also E ve ra!) (fig.)

ivezaru (adj) burnt

ivi (n) pus, tsetse fly, white chalk

ivu (n) basket made from the covering of sorghum stalk; (phr v) You blow!

ivua (n) food basket plate

iwa (n) beer eg Iwa mvuza onzi mi alata ni! = Drinking alcohol is bad for your health!

iwu (n) era, period, season; (v) you collect, remove

iya (interj, v) you shake, sort eg Fifi Hafi ngo ongo "Iyanga (Mi Ma Ruati)". = Fify Hafy sang the song "Shake (Your Body)".

iyi (n) water (also yi)

iyitia (adv) ashore

i'yo (n) word, speech (also e'yo) eg Haruna ni i'yo nze "Social Centre" alea. = Haruna is giving a speech inside Social Centre.

iza (n) meat (also za); sin (also ezata, izata), (v) spoil (also eza)

iza'ba (n) wrongdoer, sinner

izakizaru (adj) shameful, disappointing

izapi te 'di (n) spoilt (also izapi 'bori), unhatched egg, alugbe

izata (n) sin

ize (n) waste matter

izi (phr v) you open; you ask; (v) pray eg Izi Gugo! = Ask Google!

izia (adj) thin

izio (n) groom, fiance (also mugole); in-laws

izita (n) prayer

izo (n) warthog; girlfriend

izu (adv) long; (v) increase eg Jhene ngo ongo sawa izu. = Jhene sang for long.

izuru (adj) long, tall eg Dafini ni izuru. = Daphne is tall.

izuta (n) addition, multiplication (also izuza, ezuza)

Jj

ja (v) cure, heal, get lost, turn eg Ramzi ma pa ja 'bo. = Ramsey's leg healed already.

jaketi (n) jacket eg Lino su jaketi ini. = Lino wore a black jacket.

Jaki (n) Lugbara shero ancestor with magical powers, also known as Jaki Lolo, died on Mt. Liru

Jakimirinya (n) Lugbara ancestor

Japani (n) Japan eg Yukio azini Kazusmemo enga Japani-a. = Yukio and Kazusmemo are from Japan.

jarala (n) button

jata (n) get lost (also jaza)

je (v) buy, purchase, marry, wed eg Jamilu je Fatima-i. = Jamil married Fatima.

jeba (n) pocket

jegejege (n) coins, metal money (also kucukucu)

jeleko (n) horn, bugle, trumpet

jenereta (n) generator

jere (n) shrub

jeta (n) wedding, marriage, buying (also jeza)

Jezebeli (n) Jezebel, the Most Notorious Woman in the Bible alongside Mystery Babylon, false prophetess in the Book of Revelation, Queen of Abominations

ji (v) brush the teeth, sharpen blade; take eg Yikii ji ti Muni-a. = Yikii took cows to Muni.

Jiako (n) suburb near Arua Airport separated from Adalafu by Oli River eg "VOL" e'do Jiako-a. = VOL started in Jiako.

jijima (n) shoes

Jinja (n) town east of Victoria Nile near the Source of the Nile, previously Uganda's Most Industrialised Town, landmarks include Owen Falls Dam and the Source of the Nile Bridge, capital of Busoga Kingdom (also Jinza) eg Rokani ni aa Nkokonjeru-a, te eri mu skulu la Jinja-a. = Rokani stays in Nkokonjeru, but he goes to school in Jinja.

jo (n) house eg Franko ma jo Ariwara-a ri ma dri eka. = Franco's house in Ariwara has a red top.

jo ago (n) Local Council (LC) 3 Chairman, chief, subcounty (also gombolola) eg Aroi Jo ago = Aroi Subcounty

jo dri (n) roof eg Sabo ni jo dri gba. = Sabo is fixing the roof.

jo ejele (n) neighbour (also jirani) eg Apaga ni ama jo ejele. = Apaga is our neighbour.

jo were (n) latrine (also coroni)

jobileko eti (n) verandah (also jo eti)

Jografi (n) Geography eg Kabasinguzi ni Jografi imba. = Kabasinguzi teaches Geography.

jojoa (n) stinky, long-mouthed rat that causes the cleaner, common rat to vacate a house when it enters

jokoni (n) kitchen eg Adira ni jokoni-a. = Adira is in the kitchen.

joloko (n) remainder eg joloko acepi = leftovers

jomile (n) window eg Arima ni jomile su. = Arima is fixing the window.

Jonamu (n) Jonam, county east of Padyere, its Most Major Town is Pakwach

Jorodani (n) river found somewhere between Mvara SS and Emmanuel Cathedral in Arua, River Jordan in Israel (also Yoridani, Jorudani, Joridani), the name Jordan

joroti (n) parliament (also koloseni)

jorovu (n) nest, shell

jotile (n) door eg Joi ri jotile vu. = Joy sat near the door.

jua kali (n) manual work, manual labourer, hustler

Juba (n) Capital City of the Republic of South Sudan eg Kiama mu Juba-a. = Kiama went to Juba.

judikeca (n) judicature eg duani judikeca ni = court of judicature

jujua (n) smelly rat with protruding mouth and two teeth showing, when it enters a house, the usual rats go out (also jojoa, nsolima in Luganda, nfuko in Lusoga)

juru (n) foreigner, alien, stranger

jurua (n) bag

Jurua (n) male-given name

juyisi (n) juice eg Yivoni ni juyisi mvu tampeko si. = Yvonne is drinking juice in a tumpeco cup.

Kk [silent immediately before Pp]

k (infix) avoids hiatus in case of reduplicated adjectives beginning and ending with the same vowel eg inikini = darkish

ka (adv) when, (conj) if, (suffix) essential to words like acika means fire smoke or ituka means sun shine; (v) shine, yield eg Kaka ni ka 'ba sikokori ni. = Maize yields for people without teeth/ Good things happen to people who least need them. [Lugbara Proverb]

kaati (n) door

Kabaka (n) king of the Baganda eg Pira mu Kabaka vu. = Pira went to the Kabaka.

kabalagala (n) pancake

kabilo (n) sheep

kabilo ago (n) ram

kabilo aroni (n) ewe

kabilomva (n) lamb, young sheep eg Abrahamu ni kabilomva oce. = Abraham is rearing a lamb.

kadi (n) card

kadogo (n) young gun

kafetiria (n) cafeteria, cafe, coffee shop, restaurant, canteen eg Kajumba so pa Juliasi ma kafetiria vu. = Kajumba is standing near Julius's Cafeteria.

kafiri (n) pagan, infidel, unbeliever

kafu (n) small hoe (also kafua)

kafuto (n) foam, lather

kai (adj) in vain; (n) custom of giving a bull for clan to eat or male paying a goat to the father of the female he has had sex with - similar to Genesis 38:16-17 (also kayi)]

kaiko (n) beans (in Terego dialect/ also osu)

kaiko burusu (n) peas

Kairo (n) Cairo, capital city of Egypt

kajo (n) calf (also kajoa)

Kajo Keji (n) place in South Sudan north of Moyo Town

kaka (n) maize, relative eg Ali Salehu Kiba ni ma kaka. = Ali Saleh Kiba is my relative.

Kakaparaka (n) fictional suburb in Arua meaning "Maize stem" eg Bodhi ni mu yi we Kakaparaka-a. = Bodhi is going to swim in Kakaparaka.

kakau (adj) many eg Mikaeli Joridani nyo rekodi kakau. = Michael Jordan broke many records.

Kakau (n) Legion Demons

Kakwa (n) Luo tribe north of Lugbara

Kakwati (n) Kakwa language

kala (n) side (also woko)

kala andraleruri (n) north

kala etu ni efuria (n) east side

kala etu ni 'deria (n) west side eg Ampaire enga kala etu ni 'deria. = Ampaire is from the west side.

kalaa (adv) aside; (n) metallic basin

kalafe (n) amount, number (of), population, mathematics (subject) eg Bodimasi azini Triskwaci kalafe la. = Bodmas and Trisquaci are reading mathematics.

kalamanda (n) sandals, slippers

kalamu (n) pen eg BiKi ni kalamu. = BiC is a pen.

kalasi (prep) on the side

kalati (n) side (also woko)

kali (n) kraal; stick, tens of twenty to ninety eg 39 (kali na drini oromi) = thirty nine, XXXIX

kalikali (adj) sweet

kalikaliwa (n) type of wild animal

kalitusi (n) eucalyptus

kaloli (n) marabou stork

kalulu (n) election

kame (n) spoon, ladle

Kameruni (c) Cameroon eg "Mr." Ibu ne Naomi-i Kameruni-a. = Mr. Ibu saw Naomi in Cameroon.

kami (n) lion

Kampala (n) Capital City of Uganda (also Kambala), marketplace in Logiri Gombolola (of West Nile) eg Drijaru mu Kampala-a lu mba na. = Drijaru went to Kampala for only three months.

kampuni (n) company

kamura odu (n) edible oil from the bark of a certain tree

Kanada (n) Canada eg Musaraiti enga Kanada-a. = Musarait is from Canada.

kandi (n) football (borrowed from Lingala), candy

kani (adv, conj, prep) maybe, rather (also kanisi), otherwise, if; except

kanisa (n) church, cathedral eg Richadi ni mu Hilsongu Kanisa-a. = Richard is going to Hillsong Church.

kanisi (prep) if, otherwise, except, rather

kanisiku (conj) or, or else, if not eg Mi ica tajiriru kani e dra desi mi o'biria! = Get rich or die trying!

kansa (n) cancer eg YESU eco kansa ati ra! = JESUS can heal cancer!

kansela (n) counsellor eg Inze e'yo kansela be! = Talk to the counsellor!

kapia (n) stork

kapteni (n) captain (also kaputeni) eg Patriki Vieira ni Aseno ma Kapteni 'bani andra ndeku eli 2004 si. = Patrick Vieira was Arsenal's invincible Captain in 2004.

karakara (pron) many (also karakara[r]u)

karakara fe (n) white man

Karamoja (n) region in northeastern Uganda occupied by the Karamojong (or Karimojong People)

karani (n) secretary, clerk eg Kalibala ni karani. = Kalibala is a secretary.

karakaca (n) old bulbs

karata (n) playing cards

karatasi (n) paper

karatasi biasara niri (n) licence (also kokobi tujara 'yezu)

karatasi mutuka onzuzu (n) driver's licence, driving permit

karati (n) karate

kari (adj) young female animal (of a cow, goat, etc), kingdom, nation, tribal house eg Lugbara Kari = Lugbara Kingdom

Kari Ticitaru (n) United Nations

karia (n) bicycle (also baskili, gari), cycle, circle eg Ecora ni karia nzu. = Ecora is riding a bicycle.

kariba Yuganda ni (n) Ugandan citizen eg Opu ni kariba Yuganda ni. = Opu is a Ugandan citizen.

karibu (interj, n) welcome (also Ma ai mi ra!)

karikaca (n) caricature (also katuni) eg Karikaca "New Vision" Gazeti-a ci. = There is caricature in New Vision Newspaper.

karile (n) boy, male teenager

Karongo (n) trading centre in Tara Subcounty on the Nyadri to Kololo Road

karoti (n) carrot eg Pato ni karoti nya. = Pato is eating a carrot.

karukaru (adj) crunchy like a carrot

Karukaru (n) place after Lokiragodo but before the Cico Construction Base in Maracha

Karuma (n) town near waterfalls and a bridge across the Victoria Nile as it flows from Lake Kyoga to Albert, location of a 600 MegaWatt dam and game park eg "Sinohydro" si Karuma Damu. = Sinohydro buillt Karuma Dam.

kasese (n) colourless alcoholic drink with sharp burning sting in its taste and scent, named after Kasese in Western Uganda eg Baluku ni kasese mvu. = Baluku is drinking kasese.

kasino (n) casino eg Kyaze ni azi nga kasino-a. = Kyazze works at a casino.

kasitoma (n) customer eg Joyisi ni "Africell" ma kasitoma. = Joyce is a customer of Africell.

kasuku (n) parrot (also izi mi cicio) eg "ALEX" ni kasuku. = ALEX is a parrot.

kasunda (n) big saucepan

Kata (n) Qatar (also Katara) eg "FIFA World Cup 2022" ni Kata-a = FIFA World Cup 2022 is in Qatar.

katara (n) shoes (also nyila, viato, engato in Luganda)

Katari (n) sb or sth from Qatar

katekista (n) catechist eg Baguma ni katekista. = Baguma is a catechist.

Katolika (n) Catholic (also Katulika, Katuluka) eg Banduyo ni Katolika. = Banduyo is a Catholic.

katrikatri (adj) with straight edges

katro (adv) even if

katuni (n) cartoon eg "Batman" ni Katuni Ndripi Ndeni ri! = Batman is the Most Entertaining Cartoon!

katunkuma (n) small berries or ntula

kawa (n) coffee

kawunga (n) maize flour

Kaya (n) town in southern South Sudan near the Koboko Border

kayo (n) first son, heir

Kayunga (n) district formerly in Mukono, where Bugerere is located eg Edisa ni Kayunga-a. = Edisa is in Kayunga.

kebeji (n) cabbage (also kabeji, opimaopima)

Kei (n) place north of Yumbe at the border with South Sudan, subcounty east of Ludara

keki (n) cake eg Sakaru ide keki. = Sakaru made a cake.

kemistri (n) chemistry eg Omo ni Kemistri imba. = Omo teaches Chemistry.

keyikeyi (n) sieve

kelekele (n) movement esp. up and down

kelekele co (v) move up and down

kelele (adj) (of issues) hot, difficult; (n) noise

kelo (n) dish made from premature bananas, lamb, calf or other animal. Indians make something similar from premature maize eg Anzi kelo nya. = The kids are eating kelo.

Kenya (n) zone in Mvara after Zambia Zone, ward in River Oli Division where the 73rd Parliament Charity Organisation was located in 2017, country east of Uganda eg Gideoni mvi Kenya-a. = Gideon returned to Kenya.

kereke (n) blackish-red dried hibiscus cloves

kerekere (adj) scattered

kerijo (n) mother who has just given birth to a baby

kerube (n) cherubim angel(s) with two pairs of wings

kesi (n) (court) case

keyikeyi (n) sieve

ki (pron) them, they, (suffix) denotes plural though used optionally; (v) swallow, are

Kibira (n) third and youngest son of Gboro in Lugbara mythology whose spear Oli took to attack an elephant that was destroying millet in the garden; brother to Oli, Olu and Obaru

kibo (n) basket

kiboko (n) cane, whip for punishing pupils or students

Kievu (n) city of Kiev in Ukraine

kijiko (n) spoon

Kijomoro (n) place in Maracha less than half an hour by car north of Arua City

kikwasi (n) safety pin

kilasi (n) class(room), pedigree, grade, level

kilijuku (n) dark green plant usually used to demarcate plot boundaries (also kalajuku)

kilili (adj) right (also kililiru) eg geri kililiru = the right way

kiliwiri (n) edible vegetable with serrated leaves and prickly stems

kilomgboro (n) very short and cold period

kimbelembele (n) gossip

kinga (n) bicycle (borrowed from Lingala)

kini (v) says, said (singular); said (plural) eg "Jon Bon Jovi" kini: Eri ma idri!. = Jon Bon Jovi said: It's my life!

kinikini (n) rumour

kinu (n) mortar (also kino)

kinu abe (n) pestle

kirabu (n) club, dancehall

Kirabu (n) cell in Oli Division along Adumi Road after the Lemerijoa Road - Prisons - Onduparaka Road Roundabout

kirikiri (interj) please eg Onyi eri YESU-a yo (Ada), ma ai ra yo (kiri kiri)! = Goodness is in JESUS (True), I accept (please)!

Kiryandongo (n) place on the Gulu Highway near Masindi and before Karuma

kisra (n) Sudanese bread made with yeast

Kisweli (n) (Ki)Swahili, Most Spoken African Language

kitambala (n) handkerchief (also kitamba)

kitanda (n) bed (also gbolo)

kiteitei (n) frock, dress

kiti (n) seat, chair (also kome, ogunga, kiketi, kitipara)

kitibolo (n) eggs a wife cooks for her husband

kitio (n) spade

kitipara (n) locally crafted stool with spiral body and three wooden legs standing diagonally, other times flat body and four legs, probably made in Paraa hence "Seat of Paraa"

klabu (n) club, dancehall (also kirabu, kilabu) eg Mustafa mu klabu-a Amini be. = Mustafa went to the club with Amin.

Klasiko (n) El Clasico, classic battle in Sports: Arua Hill v Onduparaka (Arua City Classic), Onduparaka v Paidha (West Nile Derby), Boca Juniors v River Plate, Der Klassiker (in Germany between Bayern Munich and Dortmund), Le Classique (in France featuring PSG v Marseille), clash (Express FC v KCCA; AC Milan v Inter Milan) eg Baselona ni mu Klasiko avi Realu Madridi be drusi. = Barcelona is going to play El Clasico with Real Madrid tomorrow.

kliniki (n) clinic

klozi (c) close (also geri opizaru)

ko (adv) really; (suffix) added to nouns or omitted according to dialect or added to a verb which is dependent upon the frame like "ga muko si" means he refused to go, (v) sleep, hold, catch

koa (n) white seasonal bird

kobi (n) four sided basket or woven pad for winnowing through its open side, used for post harvest cleaning of seeds and cleansing a hunter on his first kill by placing it on the head of the carcass before it is butchered

kobia (n) basket plate for eating

Koboko (n) Kakwa town and district north of Maracha, west of Aringa, also considered a Lugbara clan sometimes because Lugbara is taught in area schools, origin of Idi Amin's father eg Kobesoni ni aa Koboko-a. = Kobeson lives in Koboko.

kodra (n) papyrus mat (also kolo)

Kodro (n) Lugbara ancestor, the first rock formation in Tara anticlockwise from Mt. Liru, adjacent to other ranges named Gala, Kadri, Adrofiya and Njeke (or Njakai)

kofia (n) hat eg Emili su kofia eka. = Emily wore a red hat.

kofulo (n) padlock (also kopolo)

koilu (n) coil

koka (n) tickbird

Koka-Kola (n) Coca-Cola drink

koko (adj) firm, tight; (n) referring to an insect usually when warning kids

kokoa (n) something bad; woodpecker

kokobi (n) newspaper, book, letter (also waraga)

kokobi tujara 'yezu (n) trading licence (also karatasi biasara niri, laisensi)

kokoliroko (n) sound made by a cock (also kokoliriko, kok-a-doodle-doo), dawn, sunrise

kokosi (n) safety pin (also kukwasi)

kole (n) witch (also oleo)

Kolera (n) Cholera disease

kolikoli (n) African Pied Wagtail bird (also kolikolia)

kolo (n) papyrus mat

kolokolo (adj) loose, not firm

Kololo (n) village in Tara Subcounty (Maracha) after Tara Health Centre IV on the road to Kubala, place west of Okokoro and near Otravu (Maracha); hill in Kampala City between Bukoto, Naguru, Nakawa, Kitante and Kamwokya - Independence Ceremonial Grounds, BOMA (British Overseas Military Administraion) Grounds; trading centre in Amuru District eg Juli ni aa Kololo-a. = Juli stays in Kololo.

koloseni (n) parliament (also palamenti), council

kome (n) seat, chair (also kiti, ogunga) eg Prezidenti "Godfrey" Lukongwa Binaisa (1980) kini, "Kome alu alu!" = President Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa (1980) said, "Entebe ewoma [Luganda for: The chair is sweet]!"

Komendaku (n) trading centre in Tara Subcounty with a huge rock that can serve as a wonderful view of Mt. Liru, means "you do not have to look for a seat", this is probably Teeth Can Lost - Part 1

komputa (n) computer (also kompota, kompyuta, laputopu) eg Afayo ni komputa ayu. = Afayo is using a computer.

kona (n) corner

konfurensi (n) conference (also okuza), symposium eg Konfurensi ni mu aa "Royal Crane Resort"-a. = The conference will be at Royal Crane Resort.

Kongo (n) country west of Uganda and neighbouring Arua City by about 13 kilometres, DR Congo or Congo Brazzaville, zone in Mvara before Sudan Zone and opposite Zambia Zone (also Congo)

kongolo (adj, n) hard, strong, firm, immovable eg Wulvurini ni kongolo! = Wolverine is hard!

Kongolo (n) island in Congo where Makhado saw the half-human crocodile deity in his Church Mafia (book) 

kongoro (n) V-shaped wooden hoe used for weeding

kopa (n) copper

kopo (n) cup, trophy

kopolo (n) padlock

Korani (n) Koran, Quran eg Korani Alatararu/ Takatifu (in Kisweli) = Holy Quran

korikori (adj) black and white

koro (n) festive Lugbara dance where people choose lifelong marriage partners

korokoro (n) shin (also kico), sounds from (stealthy) activity, noises

korokoto (n) gravel stones mixed with cement to form concrete, slang for beans

Korona O'bu Azo-19 (n) Corona Virus Disease-19 (also Kovidi-19)

kosi (n) academic study course, tutorial (also imbata)

Kosti (n) trading centre in Ociba Parish on Mt. Wati Road at the uphill T-Junction that connects to Hospital Road via Wadriff Road (also Ociba Kosti, Coast in English)

kota (n) pyramidal food cover eg Kota Nubi ni = Nubian kota

koti (n) coat

koyi koyi (n) riddle, quiz (also koi koi, ozizu, e'yo eti ondazu) eg Samsoni le koyi koyi ambamba. = Samson likes riddles very much.

koyo (n) type of calabash

kozu (n) game of catching a thrown ball

kpekpereko (n) old papyrus mat

kpembere (adv) steadily, definitely (also pembere)

kpere (conj) upto, until (also pere)

kperekpere (adv) straight away, at once, old papyrus mat

kpete (n) local beer (also kwete)

kpi (adj) straight, upright

kpua (n) gun (also osu, bunduki, pua)

kranka (n) crank, wind up technology eg Treva Bayilisi ede redio kranka ayu pi. = Trevor Bayliss made a radio that uses a crank.

Krismasi (n) Christmas (also Krisimasi) eg Eri bongo o'di je Krismasi si. = He buys new clothes during Christmas.

Kristiani (n) Christian

kru (n) crew

ku (adj) famous (also kuu), (adv) no, (suffix) does not, (v) leave, sound (out) eg YESU ma ru ku! = JESUS's name is famous!

kubaku (n) sound made by a hen like a cock's cock-a-doodle-doo or kokoliroko

Kubaku (n) shortened from Amina Kubakurungi, fictional Ugandan supershero and means "loyal", "faithful" or "doesn't leave (people)" when localised

Kubala (n) marketplace in Terego near Tara

kubi (n) sauce pot

kukute (adj) thick

Kulikulinga (n) junction on Arua-Yumbe Road after Nyoko Primary School, trading centre and village about 46 kilometres westwards from the Obongi Ferry Crossing that links to Adjumani, 25 kilometres from Ariwa (Kulikulia in Aringa) eg Alokore ni aa Kulikulinga-a.

kulu (adv) big, main (also kulukulu); grasshopper, locust, totem for Maracha Clan

kulukulu (adj) main; (n) turkey, gourd

Kuluva (n) suburb and parish south of Arua City, where Kuluva Hospital and Uganda Baati are located

kumu (n) knee (also kumuti), stumbling block

kumu siza (n) kneeling

kumura (n) plant oil (also kumura odu)

kumuti si (v) kneel

kuru (prep) round (also kurukuru)

Kuru (n) place northeast of Drajini, subcounty in Yumbe District where Yumbe Hospital is located

kuruku chai (n) lemon grass

kurunukua (n) small

kuta (n) cone-shaped wooven food warmer or cover

kuye (adv) did not eg Ethani azini Kizi apa Bujabuja Mani si kuye. = Ethan and Kizzy did not flee because of the Bujabuja Man (Boogieman).

kwatza (n) quartz, Lugbara rainstone

kwaya (n) choir eg Dorini ni ongo ngo kwaya-a. = Doreen sings in the choir.

kwini (n) queen eg Elizabeti ni kwini. = Elizabeth is the queen.

Kyabazinga (n) king of the Basoga (Mwenemu, Isebantu [Father of the people], husband of Inhebantu) eg Kyabazinga "William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV" ma oku Jovia Mutesi. = The Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV's wife is Jovia Mutesi.

Kyebando (n) parish in Kawempe Division of Kampala and includes Kisalosalo Village, school in Arua off Nebbi Highway

Ll

la (v) count, read, iqra, iqraa, iqrah in Arabic - first word revealed in the Koran; lay down (eg baby), lie down eg Jemima ni buku la. = Jemimah is reading a book.

la-i ku (adj, n) uncountable

Lado (n) Lado Enclave, place name meaning "Land where the dead bodies of our forefathers lie", territory at the Heart of Africa that belonged to the Congo Free State and later Belgian Congo from 1894 to 1910 on the West Bank of the Upper Nile in what is now South Sudan and northwest Uganda. In 1912, the southern half of Lado was ceded to Uganda, a British protectorate and became West Nile (also Lado Exclave), place in South Sudan and northeastern DR Congo, former Equatoria Province of Egypt

lai (n) type of green vegetable (also layi)

laisensi (n) license

lakini (conj) but (also te)

lamu (n) tarmac

Landani (n) London, LDN eg Amaguru ni aa Landani-a. = Amaguru stays in London.

Langa (n) Lugbara Kari Parliament eg Kristofa Yikii ni Langa ma Spika. = Christopher Yikii is the Speaker of the Lugbara Kari Parliament.

langda (n) leisure forum for drinking traditional beer

lanjura (n) single, unmarried man (also ojolo)

lapiri (n) reader eg Emanueli Feta ni E'yo Laza lapiri. = Emmanuel Feta is the E'yo Laza (news)reader.

laputopu (n) laptop computer

laru (n) certain type of tree that grows tall and stays long

lata (n) reading, counting, laying down, lying down

Latini (n) Latin

layini (n) line (also leni)

layini dria (adv) online

lazanya (n) lasagne, wide and flat pasta eg Lazanya 'ba ideni biringanya si ku, te nganu. = Lasagne is not made using eggplants, but wheat.

Lazebu (n) place in Vurra

lazima (adv) by all means, definitely (borrowed from Swahili)

le (adj) like, love, want; (n) milk (also lesu), (pron) it, (suffix) pins or points a noun or demonstratives like 'dale means there eg A le mi! = I love you! [Ich liebe dich; Je t'aime; Wo ai ni; Nkwagala; Ninkukunda; Kocham cie!]

Leforo gbanda (n) cassava-tasting tuber that germinates when a palmnut is planted in a sweet potato-growing type of mound, usually roasted or boiled (also itu ola, itu olaa)

leja leja (n) casual labour

lejo (n) index finger (also lejoa)

Leju (n) proposed Headquarters of Terego District effective 1st July 2020

leleo (n) morning star

Lematia (n) name meaning "They love me on the lips"

Leni (n) name meaning "S/he is the one who loves or likes", shortened from Munguleni or Leni(y)a

lesu (n) milk; cloth women tie around their body eg Kobusingye ni "Birunga Dairy" lesu mvu. = Kobusingye is drinking Birunga Dairy milk.

leta (n) love, affection (also letaa, leza, lavu)

leta kokoru (adj) without love, cruel

Letasi (n) female-given name meaning "With love, Through love, Using love, By love"

letaru (adj) loving, affectionate

leuta (n) food cover

li (n) thigh; (v) cut, mop, clean, judge; roll (eg ball), blow (said of wind) eg Eri jo ma ale li. = She is mopping the house-floor.

li 'ba (v) covet

li ti (phr) interrupt sb talking (idiom), directly translated: cut mouth eg Foksi li ma ti. = Foxy interrupted my speech.

lico (n) home (in Aringa dialect/ also licho, licoga, lichoga); kraal

ligaliga (n) gecko

ligi (n) league eg Malaga ni avi Speini ma Ligi-a. = Malaga plays in the Spanish League.

likico (n) orphan (also emvu)

likinya (n) yam (also girinya)

Lingala (n) Lingala

lira (n) type of tree that can be cut for house construction wood, Italian currency

Lira (n) Lango Town found east of Gulu, west of Soroti eg Obote ma jo Lira-a. = Obote's house is in Lira.

liri (adj) high, up

Liru (n) mountain immediately north of Maracha but in Koboko with Lurujo Road in between the districts, there is a customised view of the mountain from Komendaku Rock on the Tara side eg Momo mu Liru-a. = Momo went to Liru.

Livapulu (n) Liverpool, town in Britain eg Livapulu-a, mi aci nga a'dule ku. = In Liverpool, you will never walk alone.

liza (n) cutting, slaughtering, judgement, mopping, cleaning, rolling

lo (v) harvest (cereals), slaughter eg Adriko ni ti lo. = Adriko is slaughtering a cow.

Lobule (n) village and subcounty in Koboko near Tara (also Lubule)

Lodonga (n) place in Yumbe where Lodonga Seminary is located

Logiri (n) place in Okoro County, subcounty in the Vurra County of Arua District, proposed site for transferring Barifa Forest to create land for a futuristic Nile Eco City

logo (n) bare-necked chicken (in Ayivu dialect); logo design (mark symbol, type font or illustration combination)

Loinya (n) place after Nyadri Town along Koboko Highway

loji (n) lodge (also angu lazu sendesi)

loki (n) semen, sperm(s)

loki suza (n) male ejaculation (literally sperm pouring)

lokira (n) elbow

Lokiragodo (n) trading centre at the edge of Ayivu as you enter Maracha on Koboko Highway near a forest

lokiri (n) trick, bad manners

lokiriru (adj) tricky

lolipopu (n) lollipop eg Lolipopu ma aje Silingi 100. = A lolipop costs 100 Shillings.

lolo (n) cock (in Ayivu)

loma (n) rib

loni (n) loan

lonyi (n) wealth (also afa) eg Haji Kashi ma lonyi ci. = Hajji Cash has wealth.

lonyi nyakuari (n) mammon, money (literally wealth on Earth)

Lonyitualu (n) Commonwealth

lori (n) lorry (also loori) eg Godwini tu lori dria. = Godwin climbed onto the lorry.

lorika (n) oval-shaped fruit with a red outer cover and white interior plus a sharp taste, available in Vurra and Congo

loza (n) harvest

lu (adv) just, only, exactly; (v) look, see (also ilu), make a hole through something eg Arua ni lu aluzaru! = Arua is just sweet!

Lu (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo

Ludara (n) subcounty in Koboko, west of Kei

ludo (n) ludo game, gambling using dice eg Karile yi ludo avi. = The youth are playing ludo.

lufe (n) mingling stick (also olufe)

Luganda (n) language of Buganda Kingdom

Luganda nzeza (n) Luganda speaking or communication (also Luganda nzeta)

lugba (n) yellow one-seeded fruit from a thorny tree species found in Africa (plus Middle East/ Arabian Peninsula, South Asia/ Indian Subcontinent and Central America/ Caribbean), desert date shrub, soap berry tree, Egyptian myrobalan, Egyptian balsam, Zachum oil tree, lalob in Arabic, aduwa in Hausa, taboraq in Tuareg, mchunju in Swahili, ekorete in N’gakarimojong, ecomai in Ateso, thoo in Alur, botanically named Balanites (/Ximenia/ Agialid) aegyptiaca, origin of the name Lugbara after a group broke away from the Ma’di in search of greener pastures and found an edible tree called lugba; they ate some fruits and took extra with them but a woman who lost her harvest started asking about her lugba ri or desert dates hence this group was called Lugbara though the Ma’di still call them Lugbani (also lugbo, logba or logbo) eg Lugbara ni Muganda omve A’bua desu Ma’di vini eri omve 'Lugba ni'. = A Lugbara refers to a Muganda as a Banana yet a Ma’di also calls him/ her a 'Desert date'.

Lugbara (n) northwest Ugandan tribe recognised in the National Constitution since Independence but occupied Central Africa long before colonialists arrived, among the Top 10 Most Populous Tribes in Uganda, eastern Congolese natives, also found in southern South Sudan, with similar names and words like West Africans; someone with both or at least one Lugbara parent or ancestor - Omulugwara (in Luganda), people whose common ancestry according to mythology is at Mt. Wati and occupy the plateau west of the White (Albert) Nile, pronounced Lubara - letter G is silent eg Idi Amini ni Lugbara agaa, Kakwa agaa. = Idi Amin is half Lugbara, half Kakwa.

Lugbara a'bi (n) Lugbara ancestry, Lugbara ancestors, heritage

Lugbara Kari (n) the House of Lugbara, administrative body of Lugbara headed by an elected clan-rotational agofe from Ayivu - Maracha - Terego or Vurra, egalitarian chiefdom based on the principles that all are equal and deserve the same rights and opportunities

Lugbara ti (n) Lugbara language (also ti akuari) eg Vije/ Vaja Ke ni filimu oja Lugbara ti si. = VJ Ke translates films into Lugbara language.

Lugbarabantu (n) mixed blood people with both Lugbara and Bantu parents

Lugbaraganda (n) half-breed who is both Lugbara and Muganda, someone with parents from both Lugbaraland and Buganda, colloquailly a Lugbara who prefers to be associated with Buganda and denies, rejects or loses interest in his/ her real tribe (pronounced Lubaraganda) eg Bania ni Lugbaraganda ni. = Bania is a Lugbaraganda.

Lugbarapu (n) LugbaRap, Lugbara Rap and Hiphop, Lugbara Flow, Lugba-flow, Gbara-flow eg "Ndrizaristic" engazu "Jobian Tick" azini "Black Lion" ni Lugbarapu ongo. = "Ndrizaristic" from Jobian Tick and Black Lion is a Lugbarap song.

Lugbarapedia (n) Lugbara language encyclopedia, comprehensive panoramic compendium of Lugbara topics

Lugbarazungu (n) half-breed with parents from both Lugbaraland and Europe or America, half Lugbara and half Caucasian (pronounced Lubarazungu) eg Benedeta ni Lugbarazungu ni. = Benedetta is a Lugbarazungu.

Lugisu (n) language of Bagisu Tribe in eastern Uganda

Lukonzo (n) language of Bakonzo Tribe from Rwenzori Area (Rwenzururu Kingdom), pronounced Lukonjo (also Rukonzo)

luku (n) basket for carrying babies. In Maracha, it has red leather straps attached and smeared with eraka

Luku (n) mountain east of Arua City, forms the Ugandan Lugbaraland in a circle with Wati, Liru and Bondo hills with Arua Hill in the centre

Lukudu (n) place in Rhino Camp

LULA (abbr) Lugbara Literature Association

lulu (n) alarm

lulu ga (v) make an alarm

Luluwiri (n) place near Pajulu and Ediofe where Belgians had a slave market, meaning "Place of tears/ They will beat you and you cry"

lumboo (n) white tuber like sweet potato that grows long, now extinct

Lumumba (n) cell in Arua Municipality

luru (adj) narrow (also lurua); (n) mist, fog, end blow trumpet made from a bottle shaped gourd

Luturujo (n) rock, hill in Tara, means "the house of/ on a hill"

Luwero (n) Luwero, place north of KLA eg Prezidenti Museveni omve Luwero "NRM ma e'doza". = President Museveni called Luwero "the beginning of NRM".

Mm [sounds as Nn immediately before Vv]

ma (n) mother (also andri), (pron) my; 's; I am (v) decay, rot eg Jenifa ni Gabrieli ma andri. = Jennifer is Gabriel's mother.

ma-i (pron) me

ma vutia (adv) onwards, after eg "Natascha Kampusch" apa o'du 3096 ma vutia. = Natascha Kampusch ran away after 3096 days.

maaku (n) potato eg Kristini ni maaku nya 'biko tro; eri ma ale ni su maaku si. = Christine is eating potatoes with the outer skin; her stomach aches because of potatoes.

Mabira (n) market in Tara Subcounty, Largest Forest in Uganda found between Mukono and Buikwe or Jinja Njeru 

mabugo (n) profit, condolence money

mabusu (n) jail, cell, prison (also aru)

madala (n) ladder, hash(tag) eg 'bi'bio 133 madala = *133#

madamu (n) madam

Madi (n) language and tribe closely related to Lugbara, might sound like broken Lugbara but is actually a language by itself, sometimes considered the origin of Lugbara (also written as Ma'di), district in West Nile since 1st July 2019

Madi Andraleru (n) Lower Madi, Moyo

Madi Indri (n) group of Madi in the south

Madi Okollo (n) town and subcounty or district farther south from Arua City, Upper Madi Constituency (also Madi Oruleru, Madi Okolo, Madi Ndri) eg Karolina ni i-ma maka je Madi Okolo-a. = Karolina buys her charcoal from Madi Okollo.

MADIFA (n) Maracha District Farmers Association eg Isaka ni MADIFA-a. = Isaac is in Maracha District Farmers Association.

madri ri (pron) mine (also mani)

mafaranga (n) francs, money used in Rwanda and France

magadi (n) used in place of salt and got from water like at Kibiro on the Northern shores of Lake Albert, got its name from Lake Magadi in Tanzania

magendo (n) smuggling, black market

Magendo Park (n) place in Arua Hill Cell, loading park that used to be off Nebbi Highway before Sambya where URA and the Courts Building are now located

magineti (n) magnet

maiki (n) microphone, Public Address System (also maikirofoni, guke) eg Eri maiki ayu "Maracha Action For Development (MAFORD)" ma mitingi-a. = S/he is using a microphone in the Maracha Action For Development (MAFORD) meeting.

mailo (n) mile

mailo ma o'biza (n) mile measurement, scale

mairungi (n) small leaves of a shrub plant eaten by all ages for leisure, sometimes with chewing gum though discouraged, internationally known as khat or ghati on the streets, ebikola in Luganda

majani (n) tea leaves

majestreti (n) magistrate (also majestri)

majini (n) jinn spirit eg A ka enya nya augbe si, 'ba 'yo ma ayu majini! = When I eat food with eggs, they say I used a jinn spirit!

maka (n) charcoal eg Maka Cuu ni Silamu ma Nyadri Pari azini Hoteli Royolu vu. = The Charcoal Market is near the Muslim Graveyard and Hotel Royal.

makanika (n) mechanic

makasi (n) pair of scissors eg Diyo ni makasi ayu baka lizu. = Diyo is using scissors to cut a rope.

makuroni (n) macaroni, spaghetti, Santa Lucia

Malaba (n) marketplace in West Nile, town and URA Customs Entry Point in Eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya near Busia

malaika (n) angel (also malayika) eg "Spirit FM" ni malaika ma azi nga. = Spirit FM does the work of angels.

malaja (n) malice, bad heart (also asi onzi)

malakwanga (n) type of greens popular among the Luo, malakwang

malaya (n) prostitute (also oku ali o'bapi tu) eg Ohola ni malaya. = Oholah is a prostitute.

mali (n) wealth, money, gold eg mali nyakua = land wealth, earthly riches

Mali (n) Mali nation in West Africa eg Halima Cisse engazu Mali osi anzi oromi paale alu Moroko-a eli 2021 si. = Halima Cisse from Mali gave birth to nine children (nonuplets) at once in Morocco during the year 2021.

Maliko (n) female-given name meaning "The mother's nominal husband and family has nothing to offer her parents" or simply "No wealth"

MALUCUFO (abbr) Madi-Lugbara Cultural Foundation

Malunga (n) male-given name meaning "Let them see!"

mama (n) mother

mandili (n) napkin, handkerchief (also kitambala)

maneno (n) wahala, problems (borrowed from Swahili), shida

mangada (n) tangerine eg Aci dra 'bo, ama di mangada mbe-i. = Electricity has gone off already, so we are eating tangerines instead.

mani (adj) my, for me eg Ayiko mani ci, YESU oji onzi mani. = There is happiness for me, JESUS washed my sins.

mani lele tu (adj) beloved (literally the object I love much)

mani ri (n) darling, mine

mania (n) small black seed like chia

manikansa (n) money cancer, empty wallet, drained bank account, disease with the symptom of lack of money

manio (n) bull

manya (n) monitor lizard, alligator

mapu (n) map

mara (n) glass, window (also derisa, dinisa), mirror, spectacles, goggles, sunglasses, shades

Maracha (n) Lugbara clan represented by a grasshopper or locust emblem, jurisdiction less than an hour by car north of Arua City with headquarters in Nyadri Town, became independent as a district from a 2006 merger with Terego which returned to Arua in 2010, starts after Lokiragodo, east of DR Congo, south of Koboko, southwest from Yumbe, west of Terego, represented by the initials MRC, village in Dadamu Subcounty of Arua District near Arua Airport

Maracha kiti (n) Maracha summer lounge chairs

Marakana (n) Maracana Stadium found in Brazil, one of the Biggest Football Venues on Earth with a capacity of over 100,000 spectators and hosted the 2014 World Cup Final match

marani (n) soldier, watchman (also askari)

mare (n) side blown trumpet made from a gourd and wooden tube blown through the hole in the gourd with the wooden tube pointing downward or under the left arm, smeared inside with bee wax

mari (n) debt (also deni, deno)

Mariko (n) name meaning "No debt"

marijuana (n) hemp, plant leaf with serrated edges considered a drug

mario (n) mahogany

maru (n) big white mushrooms that grow near anthills (also maru-idrika)

masete (n) panga, machete (also saturu)

mashini (n) machine (also cuma)

Masindi (n) place in the south of West Nile eg Akiki mu Masindi-a. = Akiiki has gone to Masindi.

maskiti (n) mosque, masjid (also masjidi) eg Omari ni mu maskiti-a. = Omar is going to the mosque.

matemvu (n) drunkard

matu (n) misery, sadness, sorrow (also candi)

matunda (n) passion fruit eg Amambazi ni matunda mvu. = Amama Mbabazi is drinking passion fruit.

maua (n) flower (also mawa)

mavu (prep) to me, with me

mawa (n) flower (also mawua) eg E ka 'ba iri ne leta-a, i'be mawa! = When you see two lovers, throw flowers! [Indian Proverb]

Maye! (injerj) Oh my, Oh no, I'm sorry!

mayuni (n) yam (also ayu, gurunya, girinya, likinya) eg Mayokia ni mayuni le. = Mayokia is like a yam.

maza (adj) rotten, decayed

mazipani (n) marzipan eg Keki 'di 'ba a'bu mazipani si. = This cake was covered with marzipan.

mba (adj) tough, hard (also mbazaru); real, true (also adada); (n) month, moon; (v) lay ambush, toughen, harden, grow

mba azo (n) monthly period (literally month sickness)

mba o'du (n) day of the month eg Ma osi mba o'du 7 (aziri) Januari si! = I was born on 7th January!

mba'bu (n) guinea pig

mbasala (n) onion

mbata (n) duck

mbata asea ri (n) goose

mbawu (n) wood (also mbau)

mbaza (n) old person, elder(s)

mbe (v) lick

mbele (adj) quick eg Lionelu Mesi (avita 123-a) ni Agu mupira tupi Golo 100 supi Mbele ndeni UEFA Champions League-a. = Lionel Messi (in 123 games) is the Quickest Player to score 100 Goals in the UEFA Champions League.

mbele mbele (adv) quickly (also mbeleko cici)

mbeta (n) ring, like empeta in Luganda

mbi (v) have sex or sexual intercourse, fuck, make love, copulate, mate, bonk, shaft eg 'Ba mbi o'du 1 mba 7 si! = Let us have sex on 1st July!

mbili (adj) sharp (like a needle)

Mbindru (n) natural crater near Banyale's grave with waters nearby that natives claim have never dried

mbiri (adj) many, a lot

mbo (adj) open (also mgbo, mgboru)

mboloru (adj) clear

mbu (v) jump (also embu, imbu)

mbumbu (n) bomb

mburu drika (n) mushroom that grows near anthill (also mburu idrika)

mburufu (adj) big eg Mobutu ma ale mburufu. = Mobutu has a pot belly.

mbusua nyanya si (n) pussy with tomato, Lugbara style of having sex while kissing

medali (n) medal eg Kiprotichi isu medali Mbale-a. = Kiprotich received a medal in Mbale.

mee (n) bleat of a goat

Meka (n) Mecca, Holiest Place in Islam

Meksiko (n) Mexico

mele (n) gold (also goldi) eg Yohana Akibua (1972) azini Dokasi Inzikuru (2005) ndeki Yuganda ma mele oko ongu nzuta ni. = John Akii Bua (1972) and Dorcus Inzikuru (2005) won Uganda's first athletics gold.

memba koloseni (n) member of parliament, MP eg Benadi Atiku ni Memba Koloseni "Ayivu County" niri. = Benard Atiku is the MP of Ayivu County.

Meme (n) superhuman Lugbara shero ancestor, first woman in Lugbara mythology who bore twins: a boy and girl, name means "the person who came alone"

menemene (adj) soft (also moimoi)

mengu (n) mango (also muyembe) eg Kabaka ni mengu mgbe. = The Kabaka is eating a mango.

menora (n) Jewish candlestick that holds seven candles, menorah

menvu (n) bananas (also bogoya)

mere mere (adj) obese (also abuza)

mesa (n) holy communion, table (also meja)

Mesia (n) Messiah, Redeemer, Saviour eg YESU ni Mesia! = JESUS is Messiah!

meta (n) metre measurement (meter in American English) 

meya (n) mayor

mgbemgbe (n) irish potatoes

mi (pron) you, yourself (also mi-i) eg Aka mi ne! = When I see you!

Mi ala? (greeting) You are fine?/ Are you fine?

mi ape ti (phr v) comment

mi edri (phr v) send

Mi fu ngoni? (greeting) Good morning! (also mi ifu ngo, literally How did you get out?), also Owi ra (Has it dawned)?

mi gba ci (phr v) save

Mi Iji Katro Ngungu! (n) Lugbara song supposedly sung by doves

mi ikpa (phr v) press

Mi iri ra? (phr) Did you hear? (also Mi eri ra/ Mi ari ra?)

mi le (phr v) like

mi nzi (phr v) open

mi opi (phr v) close

Midia (n) subcounty in Koboko near the DR Congo Border

midri (pron) yours (also midri ri) eg Midri ngo? = Where is yours?

mile (n) eye (also mifi), eye opening eg Habati su mara i-ma mile dria ku. = Herbert does not wear glasses over his eyes.

mile aci (n) curiosity

mile ako (n) blindness

mile ini (n) gloom

mile'bi (n) eyelashes

milefi (n) eyeball

milekoko (adj) blind

mileti (n) face eg Bebe Kulu ma mileti posta dria. = Bebe Cool's face is on the poster.

milibi (n) ancient Aringa dress

minati (n) minute (also dakika, miniti)

mindre (n) tears

mindreru (adj) teary eyed, weeping

mingi (adj) a lot, much eg Ayiko mingi! = A lot of happiness!

mini (pron) yours

minista (n) minister

Minista Kari ni (n) Minister of State

ministri (n) ministry

Ministri Alata niri (n) Ministry of Health (also Ministri Alata vuleri, Gamete ma Amuti Alata niri)

Ministri Imbata azini Avita niri (n) Ministry of Education and Sports (also Ministri Imbata azini Avita vuleri)

Minyoko (n) place in Maracha after Lokiragodo eg Ma andri ma andri enga Minyoko-a. = My mother's mother is from Minyoko.

miri (n) lake, sea, big river

Miriadua Yikuru (n) Miriadua Falls, waterfalls on River Oluffe in Kijomoro (Maracha) about 20 kilometres from Arua City named by Chief George S. Miriadua after himself eg Oguzu ni ava li Miriadua Yikuru vu. = Oguzu is relaxing near Miriadua Falls.

mita (n) meter (also meta) eg mita yi lapi = water meter

mitingi (n) meeting

mo (v) gobble

mobailu sende (n) mobile money, MoMo (also sende simu si, momo, mobailu mane)

mochari (n) mortuary (also jo avu tambazu)

modemu (n) modem

modomodo (adj) ripe, soft (also moimoi)

mokoto (n) sleeping sickness

molo (n) traditional chicken house

Mombasa (n) coastal town in eastern Kenya eg Okiya ni aa Mombasa-a. = Okiya stays in Mombasa.

moralu (n) informal morale (also atita, murali)

mosikiti (n) mosque (also maskiti)

motoka (n) car (mutuka)

motoka onzu (v) drive, run a car

Moyo (n) Madi town and district northeast of Arua, translated "heart" or "soul" in Swahili language

mputa (n) Nile Perch, mputa in Luganda and Lusoga

mu (v) go, hold closed in the palm eg Buruga mu Kololo-a. = Buruga went to Kololo.

mucele (n) rice (also aria anya) eg "West Nile Super Rice" ni mucele kapi Westi Nailu-a ni. = West Nile Super Rice is rice that grows in West Nile.

mucungua (n) orange (also ndima)

mude (n) darkness (also ini) eg Emaa ni angu ne muke mude-a! = An owl sees clearly in darkness!

mudri (n) ten

mufaliso (n) mattress (also mofilisi) eg Eli ni la "Arua Foam" mufaliso dria. = Eli sleeps on an Arua Foam mattress.

mufti (n) mufti eg Mufti Menki kini mi econi aa Silamu ku desi mi ai YESU ni ku (Asianzu ma ovu ERI ma Dria). = Mufti Menk said you cannot be a Muslim if you do not believe in JESUS (Peace Be Upon HIM)

mufuku (n) pocket

Muganda (n) sb from Buganda Kingdom eg Nakafu ni Muganda. = Nakafu is a Muganda.

Mugandati (n) Luganda language (also Luganda)

mukati (n) bread (also mugati)

muke (adj, interj) okay, alright, well, fine eg Babra aga muke. = Barbra passed well.

mukeka (n) mat eg Filipo la-i mukeka dria. = Philip lay down on a mat.

Mukiga (n) Mukiga, someone from Kigezi (also Muciga) eg Muhimbise ni Mukiga. = Muhimbise is a Mukiga.

Mukono (n) district between Kampala (33 km away) and Jinja eg "Uganda Christian University (UCU)" ni Mukono-a. = Uganda Christian University (UCU) is in Mukono.

mukungu (n) county chief eg Manase Yuma Amuku ni andra mukungu, ani ica Agofe suzori. = Manasseh Yuma Amuku was a chief, that's why he became the 4th Paramount Chief of Lugbara Kari.

mulevi (n) drunkard eg Sasha ni mulevi! = Sasha is a drunkard!

muli muli (adj) healthy

mulokoni (n) cooked cow hooves (also putuku)

mundrokole (n) leafy vegetable (also warila without beans)

Mundu (n) English, European, Western, white person (also Muzungu), name given to Lugbara Tribe before migrating from Nigeria eg "John Middleton" ni Mundu. = John Middleton is a White.

Mundu ti (n) English language (also Ogarabati, Inglishi, Anyafio ti), one of the Most Spoken Languages in Africa alongside Arabic eg Katimbo ma Oku ni Mundu ti imba. = Mrs. Katimbo teaches English.

Munduganda (n) half-breed of a European and Muganda, Lugbara who prefers speaking only English or a European tongue and Luganda

MUNGU (n) YHWH, YAHWEH, YAH, JEHOVAH, JAH, GOD [preferred Christian name instead of ADRO, borrowed from Swahili], GOTT, DIEU, SHANGDI, PAPA GOD, ALLAH, KATONDA, MOST HIGH eg MUNGU ni ambo! = GOD is great!

MUNGU ka lera (phr) if GOD wills, inshaALLAH

MUNGU ma ondua (n) slang for chicken ribs that form a boat-like mass of meatbone, literally means GOD's engineering/ wisdom or intelligence

mungua (n) small god, idol

Mungueconi (n) male-given name meaning "GOD is the one who can" (also shortened to Econi)

Munguniamabe (n) name meaning "GOD is with us" (also shortened to Amabe)

muni (n) type of chilli, red and round chilli eg Sentongo nya muni. = Sentongo ate muni chilli.

Muni (n) suburb south of Arua City and east of Ewuata, location of Muni University, Muni National TTC, St. Luke Church of Uganda, Muni Girls S.S. and PSO Centre

munimuni (adj) soft

munisipulu (n) municipal (also munisipolu)

munu (n) ringworm

munyumunyu (adj) taking quick, small bites or nibbles like a rabbit

mupesa (n) button on cloth

mupira (n) football (also soka), ball, rubber, condom, tyre eg Davidi Obua avi mupira "Hearts" ni Skotilandi-a. = David Obua played football for Hearts in Scotland.

mupira pari (n) football field, pitch, stadium eg "Arua Prisons" ni avi Ministri Alataniri be "Saferside" Mupira pari-a. = Arua Prisons is playing with Ministry of Health at Saferside Football Pitch.

mupira wereri (n) small ball

mure (n) traditional dance of the Ma'di people

murukulu (n) okra with groundnut paste

musalaba (n) cross

musara (n) payment, salary, earnings, wages

musipi (n) belt

musoro (n) tariff, (graduated) tax eg Matayo ni musoro tra "URA" ni. = Matthew collects tax for URA.

Musu? (interj) Really?, Sure?

muta (n) going, departure (also muza)

mutere (n) sliced and sun-dried cassava or potatoes (also amukeke)

mutuka (n) motorcar (also motoka, mutukari) eg Mutuka Hamiltoni ni onzu ri Masidizi Benji. = The car Hamilton drives is a Mercedes Benz.

mutuka aci ayupi (n) electric car, battery electric vehicle

mutuka azakoza olipiri (n) cesspool car (also mutukari azakoza ojipiri)

mutuka 'ba olipiri (n) taxi, Public Service Van - PSV, kamunye, special hire taxi (also mutuka o'bi olizuri, afa idri koko) 

Mutukula (n) place near Arua Airport and Garamba, named after the border post in Southern Uganda

Muyindi (n) Indian

muze (n) old man, dad, granny

Muzungu (n) White person, Englishman, European (also Mundu)

mva (adj) halfway, not full, half full, (n) baby, kid, child (also mvamva, mgba in Terego dialect) eg Agastya, mva eli be 11 India-a de univasiti. = Agastya, an 11 year old kid in India finished university.

mva ofuza (n) abortion

mva onzeza (n) fine for the removal of a child charged on a man who pays bull for a boy or cow for a girl

Mvara (n) suburb or ward east of Arua City comprising Ewavio, Congo Cell, Zambia Cell, Anyafio East, Anyafio West, Anyafio Central, Mvara SS and Golf Course within Arua Hill Division; location of Emmanuel Cathedral

mve (v) whiten

mvi (n) son (also agupiamva); (v) return, go back eg LeBroni Yamesi mvi Cleveland Cavaliers-a. = LeBron James returned to Cleveland Cavaliers.

mvita (n) return, departure

mvo (v) slash (also vo)

mvu (v) drink eg Aleksi ni Pepsi mvu. = Alex is drinking Pepsi.

mvuta (n) drinking

mvuzaru (adj, n) drinkable

Nn

na (n) three

nabi (n) prophet eg Nabi YESU ma filimu ni avi "ChurchTV"-a. = Prophet JESUS's film is playing on ChurchTV.

Nacara (n) village in Ojapi (Ajira Subcounty, Maracha), 3CR, NCR, pronounced Na cha ra meaning "Three is enough", town in Mozambique, creek in Fiji eg Ondoma mu Nacara-a. = Ondoma went to Nacara Village.

Naijeria (n) Nigeria, Naija, 9ja eg Kanu osi Naijeria-a. = Kanu was born in Nigeria.

naito (n) drum played at death dances in union with mare - a side blown trumpet whose gourd is smeared inside with bee wax

namba (n) number eg Dimasi ni namba la. = Dimasi is reading numbers.

nambi (n) type of Lugbara dance performed mainly by young women during traditional marriage

nanasi (n) pineapple eg Bebi Kita ni nanasi nya. = Baby Kita is eating a pineapple.

nasari (n) nursery, kindergarten eg Anzi avi "Springs" Nasari-a. = Children are playing at Springs Kindergarten.

nasi (n) nurse eg Aniku ni nasi. = Aniku is a nurse.

Natali (n) Nativity, Christmas (also Etu ambo, Krismasi, Krisimasi)

nda (v) search, look for, find

ndanda (n) type of rat with long mouth and bad smell (also jojoa)

ndara (n) xylophone, percussion musical instrument made from banana stems or eucalyptus wood and played on the ground during annual Ndara Music & Dance Festivals that used to be held at the end of the year for instance in Awindiri where Shell Petrol Station and adjacent shops are now

ndaza ru (adj, n) becoming rare

nde (def. art) the; (v) win, defeat; deny sb sth eg Aseno nde Manchesta Unaitedi 1-0 (Alu-Toko). = Arsenal defeated Manchester United 1-0.

nde nde (n) palm tree leaves

ndege (n) aeroplane, (air)plane eg Anko Nyaksi imu ndege si. = Uncle Nyaks came in a plane.

ndege pari (n) airfield, airport eg Karina ni Arua Ndege Pari-a. = Karina is at Arua Airport.

ndere (n) quiver used by Lugbara for traditional dance

ndeza (n) win (also ndeta), winning, victory, triumph eg Ndeza ni ndeza. = Winning is winning.

Ndezo (n) female-given name meaning "For victory"

ndi (v) pinch; still, quiet eg Enyati 'di ndi! = This zone is quiet!

ndima (n) orange, orange juice eg Safi ma alea ndima ci. = Safi has orange juice in it.

ndima oka (n) bitter lemon

ndiria (n) small bush animal resembling goat, gazelle

ndo (adv) later (also i'dio)

ndra (v) gaze at, pour out water slowly to separate residue from the wanted content

ndrandra (n) type of grass that cuts you when you come into contact with it

ndrazu (adv) for pouring out water slowly to separate residue from the wanted content

ndre (v) see (also ne)

ndremasi (n) witness (also ndremaazi)

ndri (adj) beautiful (also ndriza), (n) beauty (also ndrita); goat eg Vikitoria ndri! = Victoria is beautiful!

ndrizaru (adj) beautiful eg Nakyeyune ni ndrizaru! = Nakyeyune is beautiful!

ndro (v) gossip eg Redi Pepa ni 'ba ndro. = Red Pepper gossips about people.

ndru (v) kiss, smooch, snog, suck, suckle eg Kanye Westi ndru Kimu Karidashiani ma ti. = Kanye West kissed Kim Kardashian's lips.

ndu (adj) different, (n) buttocks

Ndu (n) former name of the Kebu who live mainly in Mahagi District of DR Congo, west of Alur, blacksmiths (also Okebu)

ndugu (n) groundnuts, friend

ndundu (adj) various others

ne (v) see, watch eg Nkosa ni mupira ne "Arsenal TV"-a. = Nkosa is watching football on Arsenal TV.

Nebi (n) Nebbi, Alur town and district south of Arua eg Olivia enga dra-a Nebi-a. = Olivia is from a funeral in Nebbi.

neti (n) net

netiwaka (n) network

nga (adv) still, (conj) will, shall (v) rise, get up, fly eg Nga ki mu 'Be Wati-a. = They got up to go to Mt. Wati.

nga podi (adv) not yet ready, still not yet

ngalungalu (n) beans with mundrokole greens

ngamia (n) camel (also ngamiya)

nganu (n) wheat (flour)

ngata (n) flight

Ngbungbu (n) waterfalls in Zombo under the custody of Lendu, Kebu and Alur

ngenge (n) tilapia fish

ngenjia (n)  small silver fish (also mukene)

ngilingili (n) bell eg Paulosoni ni ngilingili co. = Paulson is beating the bell.

Ngilingili (n) short one, Pygmies or dwarfs of Ituri Forest

ngiringiri (n) conflict, fighting, war, Gender Based Violence, GBV (also aco coza, vayolensi)

ngo (v) sing eg Leila Kayondo ni ongo ngo Gresi Nakimera be. = Leila Kayondo is singing with Grace Nakimera.

ngoa (adv, conj) where (sounds like ngua or ngwa) eg Arishavini gba golo su avita alu ma alea ngoa? = Where did Arshavin score four goals in one match?

ngobo (adj) wound scab, peel off

ngoli (n) sickle

ngonde (adj) ready eg Peshi ni ngonde. = Pesh is ready.

ngoni (adv, interj) how

Ngoni? (greeting) How are you? (also Azi mi ci! Ngoni ya, Ngoni 'do?), Hello!, Kod'heyo!

ngoti (n) offspring

ngu (v) hate, smell, stink, fatten

nguari? (adv) when?, from where? (also a'dungare, a'dungari?)

nguku (n) back eg I ndre mi nguku mba! = Watch your back well!

ngulu (adj) together

ngulupi (pron) self eg ima ngulupi = himself

ngungu (adj) smelly (also nguzaru)

ngurube (v) pig eg Ngurube ma eza alu alu. = Pig meat (pork) is tasty.

ngurunguru (n) complaint(s) (also onota)

nguta (n) hatred

nguvu (n) might

nguzaru (adj) smelly

ni (adv) the one who did sth (n) snake (also ori, uri); (prep) for; (v) know, is eg Tabani si jo 'da ni = Taban is the one who built that house.

niki (v) know (used only for plural subjects)

Nio (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo (very similar to Ugandan Lugbara)

niri (prep) for, (suffix) 's (showing possession) eg Golo alu Aseno niri ca kopo 'duzu ku. = Arsenal's one goal was not enough to lift the cup.

nita (n) knowledge; ripening

niza (adj) ripe, dark

njarunjaru (n) greens and beans eg Hila ni njarunjaru nya. = Hila is eating greens and beans.

njolonjolo (adj) soft (also onukunuru, munimuni)

no (v) roar

Noa (n) Noah, righteous man who built an ark before the Flood that destroyed all evil creatures eg Noa ni Yafeti, Semi azini Hamu ma ati. = Noah is the father of Japheth, Shem and Ham.

noi (adj) slow, sluggish

Nosi Korea (n) North Korea

noti (n) note

noza (n) roaring

ntula (n) green berries

Nubi (adj, n) Nubian tribe

Nubiti (n) Kinubi, Nubian language

nufi (n) greed eg M7 kini ileni 'ba nufi tro ri ku. = Museveni said that he does not like people with greed.

nukuta (n) letter

nukuta akpaza (n) syllable

nusu (n) coin, money, small amount

nya (v) eat

nyadri (n) grave

Nyadri (n) subcounty, city or town (NYC or NYT) considered most central in Maracha because of district administration buildings, Maracha District sometimes referred to by the same name

nyafe (n) weapon, missile

Nyagaki (n) Nyagak, place in Zombo District where there is a series of dams that supply power to West Nile

nyaka (n) foodstuff(s), nyam, emere in Luganda, Essen in German eg E mba nyaka ma ta kilili! = Store foodstuffs well!

nyaka a'diza (n) cuisine, cookery

nyaka 'da (v) fast

nyaka 'daza (n) fasting

nyaka itu-a (n) lunch (also yi ali)

nyaku (n) soil, earth, planet Earth eg Ndege ri nyaku dria Arua-a. = A plane landed on the soil in Arua.

nyaku 'ba (n)  national, native(s)

Nyakuni (n) male-given name meaning "For the soil/ earth"

nyamuko (n) wilderness, desert (also angu yikoko), green pastures

Nyankole (n) Munyankole, sb from Ankole Kingdom, Lunyankole or Runyankole language, predominant language spoken west of Buganda eg Jamila le Nyankole nze Mbarara-a. = Jamila wants to speak Nyankole in Mbarara.

Nyantonzi (n) place in Bunyoro (pronounced Nyantonji) eg Ndezo imba anzi Nyantonzi-a. = Ndezo taught children in Nyantonzi.

nyanya (n) tomato(es) eg Helena ni nyanya oli. = Helen is cutting tomatoes.

nyanyakubi (n) black and yellow-striped caterpillar with red head

nyanyu nyanyu (adj) flickering, intermittent, (n) blinking lights, indicators

nyaruganda (n) someone who is half Munyarwanda and half Muganda

Nyarwanda (n) Ugandan with Rwandese origins, Munyarwanda, Nyaru

nyaza (adj) edible (also nyazaru), (n) eating, consumption

nyeke (n) chin

Nyeri (n) mountain in Moyo 1,403 metres above sea level; 4th Highest in West Nile

nyi (v) clean, mop, stick on sb

nyibiliko (n) injury

nyila (n) shoes (also katara, viato)

nyingiri (adv) in smaller parts

nyiri (adj) tiny, small eg Sende nyiri yo! = There's no small money/ loose change!

nyo (v) break

nyoka (n) condition in which a lineage is dying out and likely to become extinct

Nyoko (n) place after Terego on the Arua-Yumbe Highway, famous primary school by the same name eg Lakwonyero mu Nyoko Premari-a. = Lakwonyero went to Nyoko Primary.

nyondo (n) hammer

Nyoro (n) village in Nyadri area, Maracha District some distance before the main town centre when travelling from Arua eg Shida mu Nyoro-a. = Shida has gone to Nyoro.

nyororo (n) chain

nyoza (n) breaking

nyu (v) wither, wilt

Nyu Yoku (n) New York, the Big Apple

Nyu Zilandi (n) New Zealand

nyure (n) cow vaseline mixed with plant oil and smeared on skin

nyuta (n) withering, wilting

nza (v) suffer

nzai (n) type of illegal drug that is planted (also njai) eg 'Ba nzai se stresi ma e'yosi.= People smoke njai because of stress.

nzata (n) suffering

nze (v) talk, speak, comb, sneak, subtract, uproot

nzenze (n) grasshopper (also ise, kulu)

nzeta (n) combing, sneaking, communicating, communication, subtracting, subtraction, talking, uprooting (also nzeza)

nzi (v) jeer, squeeze, strangle; open eg Stela nzi bongo aja etu-a. = Stella squeezed the clothes for laying in the sun.

nzila (n) road (also gerika)

nzinzi (adj) heavy (also anziza, nzizaru); spotted; (n) jeer (also nziri)

nzita (n) jeering, squeezing, strangling, opening, weight (also nziza)

nzo (v) slip, skid, slide; unshell (eg beanskin) eg Ozilu nzo i-ma kumu si ase dria. = Oezil slid with his knees on the grass.

nzoko (n) tree that can grow on another

nzonzo (adj) slippery (also nzolanzola, nzozaru)

nzota (n) slipping, sliding, skidding, unshelling

nzu (n) kind of pumpkin (pronounced nju); (v) run dry, suck, run, ride eg Diago ni gari nzu. = Diago is riding the bicycle.

nzubi (n) distant relatives

Nzuku (n) Gonorrhea, Syphilis (also Oya)

nzuta (n) run, running, athletics, sucking, drying (also nzuza) eg Akibua ma ru ku nzuta si. = Akiibua's name became popular because of athletics.

Oo [shares some words with Uu]

oa (v) stay, reside (also aa, archaic o'a, o-a) eg Priska ni oa "Above The Low" vu Mvara-a. = Prisca stays near Above The Low in Mvara.

oata (n) stay (also oaza)

obangi (n) golf sport

obangulu (n) bread made from wingless white ants pounded and then cooked in banana leaves, hardened together (also ombangulu, bofolo)

Obaru (n) daughter of Gboro in Lugbara mythology; sister to Oli, Olu and Kibira

obau (n) hyena (also angbaka)

Obauji (n) hill adjacent to Mt. Wati

obe (v) entice, tempt, convince, induce, persuade

obeta (n) enticement, temptation, inducement, persuasion eg Sitani ni 'bani obeta fe. = Satan gives people trials/ tempts people.

obi (n) character, behaviour, custom, habit, (v) hold

obi onzi (adj) impolite

obirio (n) rhinoceros eg Obirio imve andra lu "Ajai Game Reserve"-a wudrikuru dria woro. = White rhinos used to be found only in Ajai Game Reserve on the whole earth.

obita (n) test

obiti (n) morning, breakfast (also euetere)

Obofia (n) place in Terego with a prime, wide view of Mt. Wati plus hills around Onayi...

oboloko (n) fox

Obolokofuku (n) place in Tara

Obolokoze (n) place in Ajira

Obongi (n) town and ferry crossing west of Albert Nile and Adjumani District, 46 kilometres from the Arua-Yumbe Road

o'ba (v) add

o'be (v) throw

o'belemvu (n) cheek (also o'bolo, o'boloko, obelemvu, nebi)

o'bi (n) crowd, family, public, people; (v) imitate, mimic, try, taste, roast; winnow eg Ama eco ra aka o'bi! = We can if we try!

o'bi'bia (n) copying

o'bini (adj) public

o'bini ku (adj) private, not for public, secretive (also mani a'dule)

o'bita (n) trial

o'biti (adv) morning (also o'bitisi, o'butisi in another dialect) eg Olivia Uganda ni "Host TV" ma programu-a o'biti si. = Oliviah Uganda is on Host TV's program in the morning.

o'bo (n) boat (also oguru) eg Nakato ni o'bo-a. = Nakato is in a boat.

o'boko (n) cover, shell (also o'boroko), shell of a yellow fruit that grows on a creeping plant cooked as sauce (also o'bokoa)

o'bolo (n) cheek (also o'bole, o'belemvu)

o'boloko (n) fox, vixen, jackal, wild creature that steals domesticated animals (also obalako, obaliko, obaloo), totem for Vurra Clan

o'boloko aje (n) low price even a fox (animal) can afford

o'bu (n) season for white ants to fly out of anthills, worm (also abeleso)

O'bu ondrindria niri (n) HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

O'bu Westi Nailu niri (n) West Nile Virus

o'buka (n) baby strap, baby carrier, suncover  (also a'buka)

o'buruso (n) form, lather (also oburusa, oburuso, kafuto)

ocaoca (n) kind of sauce prepared with beans and paste (also ocakuca)

oce (n) dog (also ocoo), rainbow shaped tattoos; (v) rear, shepherd eg A'di ni mi oce ni? YESU ni ma oce ni. = Who shepherds you? JESUS shepherds me.

oce (n) forest (also angu patiru, goloko, jere[ko], obibi, pati jumulani, pati tala, ocee), reserve, grove; (v) rear eg animals eg Ama aci Oce Barifa-a! = Let's (take a) walk in Barifa Forest!

Oce (n) forest reserve in Moyo sheltering 168 bird species and 261 types of trees found north of Mt. O(t)ce which is 1,563 metres above sea level. Mt. Oce (2nd Highest in West Nile) offers stunning views of the Albert Nile as it leaves Uganda near Nimule and crosses into South Sudan where its name changes to White Nile. You can also see Erende Mountain ranges plus Ilo (1,410 masl; 3rd Highest) plus Buce on the border

ocepi (n) shepherd

oceta (n) rearing

oci (n) thorn; (v) bite many times here and there, hide

oci so ma pa (n) payment for fieldwork as assumed consolation for a thorn pricking the worker's foot

Ociba (n) suburb and parish near Arua City, north of Anyafio along Mt. Wati Road, rock point of interest or hill in Dadamu Area, place in Yivu Subcounty (Maracha) eg Ma "Premier" ne Ociba Kosti-a. = I watch English Premiership in Ociba Coast.

Ociba Lane (n) road that starts on Mt. Wati Road (from Hotel Arua) and slopes to Oda Road eg "Springview" ni Ociba Geri-a. = Springview is on Ociba Lane.

ocita (n) hiding, keeping, secret, concealment (also ociza)

oco (n) length, height; dog (also oce, ocoo, ocogo)

Ocodri (n) place in Bileafe (Terego Area), means head of a dog eg Kwame ni mu Ocodri-a pa si. = Kwame is going to Ocodri on foot.

ocoko (n) misery

Ocokoru (n) female-given name meaning "Miserable" eg Dakitari ma ru Ocokoru. = Doctor's name is Ocokoru.

ocu (v) interrogate

ocuruko (n) insult, abuse

oda (v) pour

Oda Geri (n) Oda Road, off Weatherhead Park Lane connecting to Wadriff Road near River Osu Bridge Mosque, Anyafio Model School and ABN Clinic found here

Oda Klozi (n) Oda Close, off Weatherhead Park Lane next to Hunter's Nest heading to Desert Breeze Hotel

ode (adj) young

odekule (n) baby (also odekua, odekele, bebi)

odhu (n) leopard (also o'du)

odi (n) groundnut paste (also odii in Acholi, kipoli in Luganda, ongungu); (v) box, strike, depreciate

Odika (n) Flu, Influenza, Common Cold

Odipiyo (n) name meaning "No relatives"

odo (v) handle carefully

odolo (n) tree that bears long suspended fruits

odra (n) local beer that has stayed overnight, bamboo; death

Odramacako (n) border town on the Maracha - DR Congo border reachable from Arua City via Adumi Road

Odravu (n) subcounty in Yumbe

odre (n) urine eg Gaku mu odre su. = Gaku has gone to pour urine (/urinate).

odre jo (n) bladder (literally urine house) eg Java ma odre jo ga adusiku mvu "Coke Zero" angiri. = Java's bladder filled up because he drunk a lot of Coke Zero.

odre su (v) urinate, piss, pee, abirigate

odri (n) mud, clay

odro (n) rat; coach grass; (v) chase, totem for Terego Clan eg Ratatuli ni odro. = Ratatouille is a rat.

odro 'ba ni nya (n) edible rats including alucaku, amurude (also amuruu), ozulai, anabia in Terego (abijoa by Upper Lugbara and pukupuku in DRC)

odro 'ba ni nya ku (n) inedible rats (also odro 'ba na ku 'di in Terego dialect) including ngarakaja, ndre odraa, abija, angayika

odrokodro (n) a kind of nocturnal bird

o'da (v) abuse

o'data (n) abuse, insult

o'de (v) fall

o'di (adj) new; (n) betrayal (also o'di nyaza), harp, guitar eg Mutuka o'bi olizuri ma Angu Adumi azini Duka Geri-a ri ni o'di. = The Taxi Park on Adumi and Duka Road is new.

o'di nya (v) betray

o'di'dia  (n) newness

o'du (n) day; leopard (also odhu), panther, jaguar, garden dug and left for some time before using, thigh, vision, omen sent to an evildoer by the Divine Spirit eg O'du ni aci ini si. = A leopard moves at night.

o'du ambo (n) big day, public holiday

o'du koza (n) sleep

O'du na Ofutani (n) Ash Wednesday, first day of Lent or 40 days of fasting before Easter

o'du ositani (n) birthday (also o'du 'bani mi osizu)

O'du ositani(ri) ayikoru! (phr) Happy birthday! HBD! (also OOA)

O'du towi Ala (n) Good Friday

O'dua (n) name given to a triplet (also O'duru, Aseru)

o'duko (n) fairytale, story, noise, sound, voice eg Westi Nailu Webu ni o'duko 'dia ri. = West Nile Web is the story here.

o'duko awuni (n) condolence(s), sorrow message

o'duko 'ba jezuri (n) transfer news

o'duko eceza (n) announcement (also oyuta)

onokono (n) praying mantis

odrota (n) chase

odru (n) buffalo eg Odru fu Anira ni te/ Odru fu Anera ni te! = A buffalo killed Anira (who thought he knew it all)/ Anera (who thought she had seen it all)/ Listen to advice! [Lugbara Proverbs]

odrua (n) small buffalo, motorcycle

odrukudru (n) toad, frog (also odrukodru)

odu (v) soak, wet; (n) oil (also petroli), vaseline (also odu efizaru), lotion

odukudu (n) cockroach

ofa (n) scrap, (v) scrape, remove or cut grass with a hoe, remove or cut hair

ofaza (n) removal, scraping

ofe (v) pay

ofenga (n) payment (also ofeta, ofeza)

ofi (v) enter

ofisa (n) officer

ofisi (n) office eg Rowulandi ni ofisi-a. = Rowland is in the office.

ofo (n) tick (also oga)

ofono (n) big-size half litre Ofwono soda inspired by Ofwono, the Tallest Ugandan in the 2000s (also ofwono)

ofu (n) kind of white ant (also ifu); leprosy, (v) release, exchange, kill; become pale (clothes) eg Beni Ha ma andri azini amvi esu ofu aru-a. = Ben Hur's mother and sister got leprosy in prison.

ofu ojo (n) herbs

Ofude Hills (n) mountain ranges near Mt. Wati, viewable from Kololo in Maracha

Ofunyaru (n) leper Madi woman in Lugbara mythology whom Banyale met on Mt. Wati and conceived Angundru with

ofuruso (n) lather, foam

ofusara (n) mist, fog

ofuta (n) ash; release, exchange, killing (also ofuza)

ofutaku (n) ingredient produced by burning dried bean pods, banana peelings, etc and mixing the ash with water before sieving to produce a brown liquid used to cook greens like osubi. It maintains their green chlorophyll colour

ofutaru (adj) shy

ofuza (n) production

oga (v) crawl, hatch, stop; (n) tick (also ogalili), big man (borrowed from the Igbo language of Nigeria)

oga ci ma ejea (n) style of bicycle riding through the frame and under the crossbar especially by short or young people without occupying the seat (also oga ci ma loma-a [literally The tick has bitten me in the abdomen/ rib])

ogara (n) axe

ogara'ba (n) English, Europeans, rulers

ogata (n) crawling, hatching, stopping (also ogaza)

ogayi (n) basket

ogba (v) beat eg with stick, draw

ogbe (v) vomit (also gbe)

ogbeta (n) vomiting (also ogbeza)

ogbi (v) shoot

ogbo (n) zero, nil

ogbuluku (n) large black bird, type of safari ant

ogea (n) big basket used for harvests

ogogo (prep) near

Ogoko (n) place northeast of Madi Okollo, southwest of Rhino Camp, fairly central headquarters for Madi Okollo District

ogu (n) waist, back of the body, theft; liver, (v) laugh; steal

ogua (adv) on the back, (n) seat, chair

ogulegu (n) small ant

ogunga (n) throne, seat, chair (also kome, kiti)

oguo (n) thief eg Sende oguo ni mu Aci inyupiku ri-a. = A money thief goes to Hell.

oguoei (n) chairman eg Draga ni oguoei. = Draga is chairman.

oguru (n) boat (also o'bo)

oguta (n) laughter

oguza (adj) stolen, (n) theft

ohelu (n) crested crane (also ohalu)

ohorokoto (n) empty shell

oi (n) kind of fleshy fish, (v) dry; hang, tether, tie eg a goat eg Oi alu ambamba! = Oi fish is very tasty!

oiza (n) dry

oja (v) change, exchange, translate, Igbo traditional flute used at funerals and other functions eg MUNGU le 'ba onzi ma oja asi. = GOD wants bad people to change the heart (repent).

ojapi (n) converter (also ojapiri), translator, changer, hatcher, inverter, turner, transcriber

Ojapi (n) clan and locality, now Ulupi Parish, (previously within Tara then) Ajira Subcounty (Maracha East Constituency), futuristic technology that converts Lugbara to English eg Ma enga Ojapi-a. = I'm from Ojapi.

ojata (n) exchange, change (also ojaza), translation, shift eg Mi iji ojata! = Bring change!

ojazaru (adj) (ex)changed

oje (v) bought more than one thing

Ojepi (n) village in Aliba Ward of Aroi Subcounty in Ayivu County of Arua District

ojeta (n) buying

ojeza (adj, n) buying

oji (n) cave, (v) take, deliver; wash, bathe eg Hopu ni i-ma dribi oji salufa si. = Hope is washing her hair with sulphur.

ojiata (n) baboon (also ojimata)

ojio (n) go between, one sent on errands, apostles eg YESU pe ojio mudri drini iri (12) ma ti. = JESUS sent 12 apostles.

Ojiodri (n) original name of Arua Hill before colonialists built a weather observation station house on top of it and a prison near where Arua Hill Primary is

ojita (n) bath, taking, steering, deliverance

ojizaru (adv) taken, delivered, washed, bathed

ojo (n) issue, topic (also e'yo); heavy sauce made from beans and groundnut or simsim paste; mashed mutere mixed with cowpeas (also o'yoo, ojogo); medical practitioner (also dakitari, daktari), local medicineman or woman, witchdoctor (also ojoo), grasshopper with purple shades; (v) talk (also jo in Maracha and Aringa dialect)

oju (n) twins (also eju)

ojuruko (n) termite

Ojurukombeni (n) place in Yumbe, means "The termite ate (literally licked) it"

oka  (adj) sour, (n) sourness; blacksmith, (v) become brownish with dirt

okalamgba (adj) brown (also okazaru) eg Anti Gresi su viato okalamgba. = Aunt Grace wore brown shoes.

okalamvu (n) factory

okangali (adj) very bitter, sour

okaritua (n) very sour colourless alcohol brewed from cassava, drunk while sitted in the sun

okata (n) becoming brownish

okaza (n) brown, brownish (also okazaru) eg Oketa ni okaza! = Oketa is brown!

Okebu (n) ethnic group that specialised in iron smelting

okelea (n) calabash

oki (v) swallow

oko (adv) first, ahead, leading; (v) fetch eg water; finish eg Fama redio oko Yuganda-a ri andra "Capital FM". = The first FM radio in Uganda was Capital FM.

Okokoro (n) trading centre in Maracha on Koboko Highway after River Imve

Okolo (n) Madi-Okollo, county south of Arua District, place that used to welcome travellers to Arua

okondo (n) ostrich

Okoro (n) county near the DR Congo Border, south of Vurra

okpo (n) strength eg Samsoni ma okpo aga 'ba dria. = Samson's strength is more than everybody.

Okpo (n) neighbourhood in the city of Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province (of South Korea)

okpo bolo vuri (n) oomph, sex drive, libido, erectile function, manly power (also okpo bolo driari), manyi ga kisajja in Luganda

okpoa (n) gizzard

okpojo (n) uterus

okpolo (adj) old fashioned

okporovu (n) pregnancy, pregnant person

okporovuru (adj) pregnant

okporu (adj) strong

Okpova (n) open green space with natural stones acting as seats under the tamarind trees next to Arua Central Police Station. It's where Ayivu elders sat and resolved issues affecting them, carried out cleansing rituals and curses too

oku (adj) old (also amba), ancient; (n) female, wife, woman; hat, crown, (v) gather, collect eg Sara ni oku. = Sarah is a woman.

oku biza (n) wedding

Okuambo (n) village in Kenya Zone where there is a market (Okuambo Cuu) formed by old women on Oluko Road after Mvara Trading Centre

okufuku (n) sth a Lugbara man does to keep his wife forever whether by giving her money support and gifts regularly, providing food and school fees for her children or love foreplay and good sex

Okufura (n) place somewhere after Eruba on Vurra Highway but before Ovisoni meaning "Woman went out; Wife left"

okuku (n) tortoise

okuku nyazari (n) turtle (edible)

okule (n) transfeminine, like a woman eg Kaitilini Jena ni okule. = Caitlyn Jenner is a transfeminine.

Okumbarindu (n) name meaning "A real wife is different"

Okuvu (n) place in Maracha, means "from or with woman", Lugbara Church in Kinawataka - Mbuya started under a jambula tree in 1976 with eight members by Neria Olua, now St. Paul's Church of Uganda. Because of outreaches, other Lugbara churches emerged eg Beteli, Abiribani, Kagave, Namanve, Kajjansi, Namasuba, Buziga, Entebbe and St. Francis Chapel Makerere University (Over 24 COU points between Entebbe and Kakira by 2018)

okuza (n) gathering, congregation (also okuta) eg Afeku mu Okuza-a. = Afeku went for the Gathering.

Okuza (n) festival where Lugbara Diaspora meet and fellowship for four to five days in a big venue like the Mvara Secondary School field or one day in KLA City somewhere near Mbuya

okuzaru (adv) collected, gathered

ola (n) root; cassava (also gbanda eg ariwara, otongolo, mabere, yakobo, sanje, olamu, abiria, namulonge, etc); (v) lie down

ola fura (n) cassava flour

olakula (n) restlessness, curiosity

olangi (n) bell, gong

ole (adj) clean, bare, (n) witchcraft in the heart, bad heart, indignation, moral anger, Parallax; (v) trick, deceive

Oleba (n) subcounty in Maracha near DR Congo Border

oleo (n) witch, sorceror, wizard eg Oleo Grini ma mile iri ndundu. = The Green Witch's two eyes are different.

Olewa Yikuru (n) water falling about 10 metres from River Enyau as it descends towards River Nile at the foothill of Mount Wati eg Maandebo ni Olewa Yikuru-a. = Maandebo is at Olewa Falls.

olezaru (adv) tricked

oli (n) air, wind, airtime; (v) whistle, cut; roll eg Ndege ni aci oli-a si. = A plane moves through the air.

Oli (n) river from which Oli Division gets its name, subcounty or division in Arua District comprising 28 cells in 2018, cannibalistic ancestor also known as Banyale in Lugbara mythology, eldest son of Gboro, had supernatural powers and kingship privileges symbolised by a bead, brother to Olu, Kibira and Obaru. His first descendants were Madi Pawor. He killed children and ate their liver

oli vu (v) whistle

oli vuza (n) whistling

olimangulu (n) sportsnews

olirika (n) wind (in Terego dialect/ also oliriko)

oliza (n) cut

olizaru (adv) cut

olo (v) touch eg A'di ni ma olo ni? Ma ori yo... YESU pa ma 'bo! = Who can touch me? I have no fear... JESUS has saved me!

olokoto (n) lizard

Oloporoporo Yikuru (n) waterfalls in Oluko on River Asa found left off Waterfalls Road, name shortened from Olokoto pororo meaning "Many (red-orange-black) lizards", bought by an American named Mike Elkins

olu (v) lower sth or sb, slope; preach, report, reveal, fall off eg leaves; jatropha eg Fanuelu Onzima olu e'yo ni. = Fanuel Onzima preached the message.

Olu (n) second son of Gboro in Lugbara mythology; brother to Oli, Kibira and Obaru

olubua (n) type of creeping bean

olufe (n) bridge (also alofe); mingling stick

Olufe (n) Oluffe, river on the Koboko Highway after Imve River

Oluko (n) suburb east of Arua City beyond Mvara

oluta (n) preaching (also oluza)

olupi (n) preacher (also olu'ba or oluba), catechist

Oluva (n) subcounty north of Adumi and near the DR Congo Border, west of Kijomoro and Aroi

oluzaru (adj) sloppy, sloping

Olwiyo (n) place in Nwoya where the Umeme Regional Substation for West Nile is located

omba (n) anger; (v) stiffen, toughen

omba omba (n) edible rats enjoyed mainly in Terego eg Omba omba 'ba esu ngoa? = Where can people find edible rats?

Ombaci (n) suburb connected to Arua City by Rhino Camp Road (after the Airfield Stretch), location of St. Joseph's College for boys only, Arua suburb where former Ugandan President Idi Amin set up the First Earth Satellite Station in East Africa (1976) before Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) removed the equipment 40 years later plus where Obote II soldiers massacred civilians in 1985, ward in Koboko District

ombaru (adj) angry

Ombatini (n) place reachable eastwards from Ombaci via Rhino Camp Road eg Adra la sukulu Ombatini-a. = Adra studied in Ombatini.

ombazaru (adj) stiff, tough

ombe (n) neck (also ombele, ombeleko), lick; tie eg Lanesra ombe i-ma dribi riboni yelo si Mba towi-a. = Lanesra tied her hair with a yellow ribbon in May (the fifth month).

ombere (n) lame, disabled person, PWD - Person With Disabilities (also 'ba acoza) eg Hafu Kilo ni ombere. = Half Kilo is a disabled person.

ombeza (n) licking

ombezaru (adj, n) tied, licked

ombi (n) locust

Ombinyiri (n) place in Ayivu

ombizoku (n) large waterbody eg lake (literally locust cannot cross)

Ombizoku Alubati (n) Lake Albert (locally called Mwitanzigye)

Ombokolo (n) place in DRC, Koboko and Mvara (Arua)

ombu (v) jump, hop

ombulu (n) fake money, counterfeit, kiwani

ombuta (n) jump, hopping (also ombuza)

omgbo (n) size, volume

omi (v) press

Omi (n) village on Koboko Highway after Enyau River

omogo (n) vagina, female private part (also rua okuni, oma, angunya in Acholi)

omu (v) visitor, guest; (v) combine; festival eg "SK" ni mu omu-a. = SK is going to the festival.

omu inzile inzi (n) esteemed guests, respected visitors (pronounced omu injile inji)

Omugo (n) subcounty in Maracha-Terego, Queen Mother in the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom

omujo (n) guesthouse eg Eri mu "New Dawn" Omujo-a. = She is going to New Dawn Guesthouse.

omukua (n) boiled and salted beans eaten as snacks

omunyale (n) refugee (also emunyale) eg Omunyale engazu "South Sudan" apa Yuganda-a. = Refugees from South Sudan fled to Uganda.

omve (v) call (pronounced onve), (tele)phone eg E ka golo le, mi omve Nketia-i! = If you want a goal, then call Nketiah!

omvele (adv) called, named, entitled (also omvezaru)

omveta (n) calling (also omveza), call

omvezaru (n) called

omvi (v) reply, return; feel (again), touch (also amvu, omvu) eg Treva omvi zita. = Trevor answered the question.

omvita (n) answer, reply (also omviza)

omvizaru (n) returned, replied

omvu (n) nose, sneeze; orphan; (v) pick up

omvu co (phr v) sneeze

omvumvua (n) drinks

ona (v) dodge, avoid eg Eze ni eyi ona. = Eze is dodging them.

Onayi (n) place in Terego where rocks can be viewed on both horizons while on the highway

onda (v) look for, search for

ondakayi (n) red or brown sugar ants that reside on trees for example mangoes, tangerines and jackfruits (also ondakaya)

ondaza (n) looking for or searching

ondere (n) giraffe eg Apio so pa ondere ma ageia. = Apio stood beside a giraffe.

ondi (n) dirt, sweat; (v) pinch eg Ayiko ni ondi ma mva. = Happiness is sweat's child. [Lugbara Proverb]

ondikokoru (adj) clean, without dirt nor sweat

ondiru (adj) dirty

ondo (n) barren person or animal, barrenness, infertility, impotency

Ondoma (n) male-given name when a woman takes long to deliver a child after marriage (female version is Ondoru)

ondoru (adj) barren

ondre (n) evening; (v) look, search (also one)

ondre ta (n) evening meal

ondreondre (n) white ants harvested immediately after dusk from 7:30-8:30pm (also andre)

ondresi (adv) by evening (also ondrealesi), in the evening

ondreta (n) supervision, checking (ondreza)

ondrezaru (n) checked, supervised

ondri (v) become thin or slim, bewitch

ondringa (n) slimming (also ondrita, ondriza)

ondrita (adv) bewitching, slimming (also enata, acife) eg Pasita Sembera ni ondrita agba "Life TV" stesoni-a. = Pastor Sembera is hitting witchcraft on Life TV station.

ondrizaru (adj) slim

ondroko (n) snore

ondroko soza (n) snoring (also ondroko seza)

ondrukundrua (n) black ant

ondu (n) sorghum; (v) cheat

ondua (n) wisdom, brains, intelligence, cleverness, brightness (also ondoa)

ondua supa (n) superintelligence eg Zuka le ondua supa ide. = Zuck wants to create superintelligence.

Ondunyiri (n) nickname for the Junior Caterpillars of Onduparaka FC (Children's team), means little or small sorghum

Onduparaka (n) suburb, town and village found less than a 10-minute ride directly north of Arua City along Adumi Road eg "Greenlight" Stadia ni Onduparaka-a. = Greenlight Stadium is in Onduparaka.

one (v) look

oneza (n) looking

onezaru (adj, adv) opposite

onga (n) trap, (v) fly

ongo (n) song, music, tune eg Yiga si ongo Magi ni. = Yiga wrote a song for Maggie.

ongo 'dipi (n) music custodian

ongo ngo (v) sing music eg Jaki ni andra ongo ngo "Blu 3" be. = Jackie used to sing with Blu 3.

ongo ma nukuta (n) musical notes eg Ongo ma nukuta yi aziri: C, D, E, F, G, A azini B (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti). = There are seven musical notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti).

ongo ngoza (n) singing

ongobi (n) gorilla (also em[g]beleke) eg Mbayahi ni ongobi ma kalafe la. = Mbayahi is counting the population of gorillas.

ongoni (adj) poetic

ongoro'bi (n) eyebrows

ongu (n) race, running (also ongu nzuta, ongu nzuza); (v) dry eg Narambhai nde ongu. = Narambhai won the race.

ongulumu (n) group, association, multitude eg Sudiru Ruparelia ma ongulumu ambo. = Sudhir Ruparelia's group is big.

oni (n) stone, rock, hill (also 'be were); (v) learn eg Oni Arua = Arua Hill

ono (v) complain (also onu)

onota (n) complaint (onoza)

onya (n) white ant, winged termites (also nguu, ona, una), enswa (in Luganda) eg Onyango ni onya nda. = Onyango is looking for white ants.

onyakunya (n) snacks

onyata (n) fraud, corruption, cheating (that does not involve adultery)

onyi (n) good, beauty (also ndrita), partner (also onyia) eg Idri ma onyi! = Life has beauty/ Life is good!

onyiru (adj) good, beautiful (also onioni), sweet eg MUNGU ni onyiru! = GOD is good!

onyofi (n) body nail

onyu (adj) half dry, (n) magical condition with an evil spirit similar to adra that attacked thieves by removing their teeth plus inflicting a terrible cough and rash or pimples on the face; (v) wither, crumple, crash eg Semakula mu pari mutuka ni onyu ria. = Semakula went to the place where the car crashed.

onyukunyu (n) housefly

onyuonyu (adj) withered (onyuza, onyuzaru)

onyuta (n) withering

onze (v) bail, pluck, uproot

onzeta (n) bail (onzeza) eg A'di ni onzeta ofe "Fire Eaters, Chicken Cannot Pass" azini "B-13" ni ra? = Who will pay bail for Fire Eaters, Chicken Cannot Pass and B-13?

onzi (adj) bad, evil, (n) type of snake, bad attribute, sin; (v) show happiness, open eg Pasita Sempa lu Pepe Juliani Onzima ni: LGBT+ Afu onzi! = Pastor Sempa told Pepe Julian Onzima: LGBT+ Pride is bad!

onzikanya (n) very bad (also onzirikanya) eg Kyarenga kini eri onzikanya. = Kyarenga said it's very bad.

onzita (n) happiness, opening (also onziza)

onzivu (n) ugliness

Onzivu (n) suburb south of Arua City after Sambya and Awindiri; narrow street between Arua Avenue and Transport Road joining Rhino Camp Road to Hospital Road eg Ize ni ta ra Onzivu Geri-a. = Faeces used to flow on Onzivu Street.

onzivuru (adj) ugly

onzo (v) belittle; cheat, smash

onzokonzo (n) smooth

onzomatara (n) belittling

onzoroko (n) dirt, many

onzorokoru (adj) dirty

onzota (n) belittling, minimizing; cheating, smashing (also onzoza)

onzu (v) off load; run

onzuta (n) offloading eg from a bag; running (also onzuza)

oo (v) speak, talk (also 'yo)

opa (v) nail, rob eg Fransisi opa kiti. = Francis nailed the seat.

opalaku (n) smooth stone used instead of a hammer

Oparesoni Lonyi Ideta (n) Operation Wealth Creation (also Oparesoni Lonyi Ideza)

opasi (n) nape, back of your neck

opazaru (v) nailed, robbed

ope (n) guinea fowl; (v) select, choose

opendu (n) segregation, nepotism

operea (n) swallow (bird)

opeta (n) choice, selection (also opeza), election, voting

opezaru (adv) selected, chosen

opi (n) chief, chieftainship, king; wing(s), (v) swell; peel, unshell eg YESU ni opi ma Opi. = JESUS is the King of kings.

Opi ma ndrita ma ovu mibe! (greeting) May the glory of the LORD be with you!

opi mva (n) prince (plu. opi anzi)

opi nyaza (n) power

opi opi (adj) swollen

opi ti (v) close (mouth), switch off, conclude, finalise eg Mi opi redio ti! = Switch off the radio!

opimaopima (n) cabbage (also kebeji)

opipia (n) boil

opiza (n) swelling, act of unshelling eg Dokta Birungi nze opiza agu azoru ma pa-a Arua Hospito-a. = Doctor Birungi removed a swelling in a patient's leg at Arua Hospital.

opizaru (adj) swollen, peeled

opoa (n) leftover food (also mawolu, ibeku)

oporovu (n) pregnancy, pregnant woman

Opozisoni (n) Opposition

ora (v) leak; (over)think, worry

Ora (n) River Nile tributary flowing eastwards to the Albert Nile near Madi Okollo Town as you enter Arua District

ora idrika (n) small mushrooms that grow at the entrance of a python hole

Orani (v) rock formation and village in Tara (now Ajira Subcounty)

orata (n) leakage, thought (also oraza)

Orawa (n) place found somewhere between Arua Airport and Dadamu or Ociba

oresi (n) goat given by a husband to his baby mama's parents to cleanse their child from bad luck after placenta is not buried at man's place

ori (n) snake; fear, cowardice (also uri), seed; (v) settle at the bottom of a liquid eg Ori ci ya? Ori yo! = Is there fear? No fear!

ori 'dipi (n) spiritual leader

ori owizu (n) sacrifice to ghosts in form of a goat, ox, sheep or fowl. Meat is divided into three portions: one for the dead which is placed in their shrines, second is cooked and eaten by the congregation while third is taken home uncooked for later distribution by them among more distant patrilineal kin

ori zoza (n) crop growing, seed planting

ori'ba (n) family (also aku)

oria (n) half-breed usually with Asian descent eg Chenene ni oria. = Chenene is of Asian descent.

oriahulu (n) cobra

Orientale Province (n) region in northeastern DR Congo immediately west of Arua District

orii (n) mixture of gold and other metals (also oruu), reference in Congo

orindi (n) spirit, soul (also urindi, literally ori indi [because of fleshy body, but becomes only ori after death])

Orindi Alari (n) Holy Spirit (also Urindi Alari)

orio (n) coward (also urio)

oro (n) earth, universe, the world, upper part of thigh; tiredness, (v) feel tired

orobi (n) dream eg MUNGU eco e'yo nze orobi si. = GOD can speak through a dream.

orodri (n) profit, benefit, gain, use(fulness) eg Afa MUNGU ni le amavu ri, (eri orindi ni); rua ma orodri yo, (eri nga ma ra)! = What GOD wants from us, (it is the spirit); the body is useless, (it will rot)!

orodriru (adj) profitable, gainful, beneficial

oromi (n) nine eg Aseni Wenga nde kopo ku eli oromi engazu 2005 pere 2014. = Arsene Wenger did not win a cup for nine years since 2005 up to 2014.

Oromo (n) Cushitic language (spoken in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt), 3rd Most Spoken African Language

oru (adv) up, high, (prep) above, (v) prepare (esp. porridge), wake up eg Gasi oru i'di! = Gasi prepared porridge!

orukua (n) type of dodo greens

Orule'ba (n) highland people, a section of Lugbara

oruleru (adv) upper

oruta (n) waking up

osa (n) mixture, syrup; (v) fly, mix, slap eg Anyoya ma a, 'ba kaka osa osu be. = In anyoya, maize is mixed with beans.

osasa (n) insect

ose (adj) fat, (v) fatten; pull eg Halu ni ose. = Hal is fat.

oseta (n) fattening

oseza (adj) fatness, big masavu

osi (v) give birth, produce a baby; roast; write eg Neria osi mva ago. = Neria gave birth to a male child.

osisia (n) secretary, scribe (also osipiri)

osita (n) birth; roasting, writing, registration (also ositaa)

osiza (adj) roasted

osizaru (adj) roasted; written

oso (n) fat; pole with sth sharp

osofi (n) protruding middle part of the upper lip

osolo (n) mucus-like substance that comes from chest while coughing, sputum

osoroko (n) old clothes

Ostrelia (n) Australia eg Ogwapiti ni Ostrelia-a. = Ogwapit is in Australia.

osu (n) bow, gun (also bunduki, usu); peas, beans; (v) fix, pour, dress, marvel eg Kazibwe ji osu vule gombolola-a. = Kazibwe took the gun back to the gombolola.

Osu (n) river through the Arua Golf Course, suburb near Osu River behind Hospital Road and Rhino Camp Road

Osu Crescent (n) smaller crescent road in the area off Oda Road and within the bigger Awudele Crescent

osu nyirikia bi (n) leaves of tiny beans

osofi (n) protruding middle part of upper lip

osubi (n) bean leaf (also gobe)

osuta (n) miracle, marvel (also osuza)

osutaru (adj) marvelous, miraculous (also osuzaru) eg Onduparaka "FC" ma rukuza osutaru. = Onduparaka FC's fame is marvelous.

ota (v) sympathise, show pity

otaka (n) pot with wide mouth

otakua (n) small pot used for boiling sauce

otala (n) go-between in marriage, best man at wedding

otaramba (n) gold (in Aringa dialect)

otaria (n) cricket (also etirili, etiringili) eg Tindu nya otaria. = Tindu ate a cricket.

ote (v) wait

oteta (n) waiting for sb

otwenge (n) dance by the Lugbara and Kebu, literally means "elbow" and involves raising those joints

oti (v) arrange in order, pluck eg fruits from tree; hang sb, tie eg animals; swallow

otita (n) program(me), radio show, arrangement

otitabuku (n) constitution, book of laws

Otitabuku Yuganda ocezu ri (n) Constitution of Uganda

Otitia (n) bare peak of Mt. Wati

otiza ambori (n) chapter

oto (n) wild hare, domestic rabbit (also eto[o])

otoko (n) anthill (also otoo)

otongolo (n) type of poisonous cassava tuber

otonoko (n) kind of bird with a very long neck

otra (v) fold, roll

otralaku (n) small anthill

Otravu (n) place in Maracha farther inside reachable westwards from Okokoro eg Julia ni aa Otravu-a. = Julia stays in Otravu.

otraza (n) rolled, folded

otrazaru (adj) folded, rolled

otre (v) shout

otrenga (n) shouting (also otreta, otreza)

otri (v) curse, rub, scrub eg Morini otri abi. = Maureen rubbed the wall.

otrikutri (adj) dirty

otrita (n) scrubbing, rubbing

otriza (adj) cursed

otro (v) smear

otrota (n) smearing (also otroza)

otrozaru (n) smeared

otru (n) gum

otruta (n) movement (also otruza)

Otsho (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo (very similar to Ugandan Lugbara)

otu (n) navel, umbilicus, umbilical cord, sun (also etu, itu); (v) correct, straighten, kick

Otuambari (n) place north of Ocodri

otunyu (n) white ants crushed and left to ferment for some time to be used as condiment in sauce, yesterday's white ants (also otunyo)

otunukua (n) scorpion eg Otunukua ni aa Sahara-a. = A scorpion stays in the Sahara.

otuo (n) brother-in-law eg Jaremi ni ma otuo. = Jaremy is my brother-in-law.

otupika (n) in-laws (also otupi)

otuta (n) straightening, correction, kicking, raising, plan, arrangement (also otuza)

otuzaru (adj) raised, straightened

Otze (n) mountain in Moyo (also Otzi), 1,517 metres above sea level

ova (v) make a hole in the ground, excavate, uproot

ovakedo (n) avocado

overeko (n) remaining bits of food burnt in container

ovi (n) lightning, thunder, scratch eg Ovi ni Terawati 1 (alu) aci ni ofu. = Lightning produces 1 Terawatt of power.

Ovisoni (n) town in Vurra, means "struck by lightning"

ovita (n) scratching (also oviza)

ovo (v) curse

ovu (n) kind of basket made from sorghum stalk; laziness, idleness; (v) stay, be; keep quiet eg Ma ovu ciri! = I keep quiet!

ovua (n) big basket for carrying seedlings

Ovujo (n) major trading town in Maracha

ovuo (n) lazy person

ovuzu (v) stay, be, keep quiet

Owafa (n) Owaffa, headquarters of Terego meaning elephant bone (Ewa falako) after an injured elephant ran from poachers but died there and rotted until the bones showed, originally called Imirua (meaning "Spy Area"), trading centre before the notorious Teeth Can Lost slope

owi (n) dawn; (v) spit, make sacrifice, peel, unshell

Owinyi (n) Owiny, village in Pakwach that was calculated as the Best Venue on Earth for viewing the Sunday 3rd November 2013 Total Solar Eclipse

owita (n) sacrifice, peeling, unshelling (also owiza)

owizu (n) linked with the notion of sth being "left over" [awi] like the dead eating the meat left over. In these rites, meat and other offerings are consumed by the living, the dead and spirits as a means of thanking them for having sent sickness to a disobedient individual to show him he has ignored behaviour proper to his status

owoko (n) anger (also awoko), direction

owokoru (adj) angry (also awokoru) eg Mario ni owokoru! = Mario is angry!

owoko si (adv) angrily

owu (n) cry (also awu, owuta); (v) cry; gather things eg Kapteni Lamu owu ku(ye). = Captain Lahm did not cry.

o'wi (v) dry

o'wiza (n) drying

oya (n) yaws; salary, wages, payment, earnings; syphilis (also nzuku); (v) shake

oyata (n) shaking (also oyaza)

oyakiya (n) earthquake, tremor

oyaliko (n) rag clothes

oye (adv) for nothing

oyi (v) slim, leave

oyita (n) slimming

oyiza (adj) thin (also oyizaru)

oyo (n) oath; monkey

oyokolo (n) whisper

oyoro (n) rags

oyu (n) mole; (v) announce eg Elekitoro Komisoni ma ambo Injinia Badru Kigundu oyu kalulu ma o'du. = Electoral Commission boss Engineer Badru Kiggundu announced the election date.

oyuta (n) announcement (also oyuza), commentary eg "Martin Tyler" ni mupira oyuta fe. = Martin Tyler is giving a football commentary.

o'yo (n) promise or oath made by an individual (either publicly or in the mind) (not to do something)

o'yu (n) horn

oza (v) sting, shout

ozeze (n) second hand clothes (also ozeze)

oze (v) push down

ozi (v) sell, unshell open, hide; (n) black and white insects that come out of anthills

ozizaru (adv) for sale eg Nyaka ozizaru "Oasis 24/7"-a. = Food is for sale at Oasis 24/7.

ozizia (n) interview, questions

ozo (n) rain (also ozoo); (v) roast eg Ozo yi ni idri! = Rainwater is life!

ozo opi (n) king of the rain, most important figure in Lugbara politics, chief custodian of clan property

ozoforo (n) grey hair

ozoza (adj) roasted, (n) roast (also ozo)

ozozaru (adj) roasted

ozu (n) reeds, elephant grass (also ozuu); (v) multiply

ozuta (n) multiplication (also ezuta)

ozuku (n) porcupine

ozuruko (n) aeroplane

Pp

pa (n) leg; (v) knock eg door, crucify, nail, rob, save eg Kathi ni i-pa tri. = Cathy is brushing her foot.

pa ale (adv) times (also paale, pale), (n) inside or sole of the foot eg Mvu iwa pa ale su Aje Were Anguiwani (Maracha)-a. = S/he drank alcohol four times at Aje Were Bar (Maracha).

pa dria (adj) standing (literally on top of leg)

pa so (v) stand for election

paago (n) big toe

paanzi (n) toes

padre (n) priest eg Joeli Obetia ni padre. = Joel Obetia is a priest.

Padyere (n) county west of Jonam, east of Okoro, south of Madi Okollo

paedu (n) heel

paipu (n) pipe (also payipu, pepu) eg Sande ni paipu su. = Sunday is fixing a pipe.

paipai (n) pawpaw (also payipayi)

pajama (n) pants

Pajama (n) village in Tara Subcounty

paka (prep) up to the end, until

pakasa (n) servant (also waka)

Pakele (n) Pakelle, trading centre in Adjumani

Pakistani (n) Pakistan, Pakistani eg Malala ni Pakistani ni. = Malala is a Pakistani.

pakoleta (n) percolator eg Gifti ni yi dri pakoleta si. = Gift is boiling water using a percolator.

Pakwachi (n) Pakwach, fishing and trading town in Jonam County near the Albert Nile River, considered the Gateway to West Nile by road and rail, east of Nebbi, means "Place of the Leopard", where the mythical brothers Gipiri and Labongo separated, its Most Famous Landmark is the Pakwach Bridge eg Mi iga Pakwachi! = Remember Pakwach!

pala bi (n) jute leaf, totem for Ayivu Clan

palaa (adv) at the footside of, under the mentorship of, under the guardianship or care of sb

palamenti (n) parliament (also koloseni) eg Palamenti Yugandaniri Kampala-a = The Ugandan Parliament is in Kampala.

Palestini (n) Palestine

paleti (n) palette eg Paleti rangi gbazu = Painting palette

pali (n) pair of shorts

pamba (n) cotton eg Mbusua imve 'da ma ru "Cotton", pamba le. = That white cat is called Cotton, like cotton.

pamva (n) toe

pamvu (n) footmark, footprint, point

panda (n) panda bear eg Po ni panda. = Po is a panda.

pandu (n) cassava leaves pounded and cooked as sauce (also banda bi)

panelu (n) panel eg Joji ni panelu su. = George is fixing the panel.

panga (n) punishment

Pangisa (n) place in Arua City near Osu

panya (n) shortcut eg "Arua Boys" ayu panya. = Arua Boys used a shortcut.

papa (adv) nailed; (n) shoes, footwear (also jijima, nyila, viato); father (also baba, ati), Pope eg Papa Fransisi imu Yuganda-a eli 2015 si. = Pope Francis came to Uganda in the year 2015.

Paparu (n) name meaning "From the legs"

paradisi (n) paradise

paraka (n) stem eg ondu paraka = sorghum stem

Paranga (n) subcounty formed from Oleba in Maracha eg Petero enga Paranga-a. = Peter is from Paranga.

parapara (adj, adv) stumbling, unsteadily

parasetamo (n) paracetamol, Panadol (also Panadolu)

pari (n) mat made from papyrus, place

pari 'bani mi tizu (n) birthplace, hometown

pari mini efuzu (n) origin

pari pari (n) dullness, not active

parishi (n) parish (also parisi, wodi)

Paruku (n) nickname for Greenlight Stadium in Onduparaka, means "No escape", Valley of No Return

pasi (adv) on foot, (n) flatiron

pasipoti (n) passport (also waraga acizuri)

pasita (n) pastor eg Pasita Nomani = Pastor Norman

pasta (n) Chinese plus Italian food like noodles, lasagne and spaghetti

pata (n) redemption, salvation (also paza)

pati (n) tree, (maize) cone, putty substance for holding glass panes in window frame eg Dramani ni pati ga. = Dramani is cutting a tree.

pati etu o'bizuri (n) sundial eg Ahazi ide pati etu o'bizuri. = Ahaz made a sundial.

pati efi osale (n) ingredients (also pati ifi osale)

pati ifi (n) plant seed eg Pati ifi ci Omia Agribusiness Development Group-a. = There are seeds at Omia Agribusiness Development Group.

patifu zopi asea (n) lillies of the field

patoro (n) rich guy

paturu (n) millipede

patuza (n) standing

patwa (n) patois, Jamaican English

Pawori (n) subcounty in Lower Madi next to Wadelai, Pawor, Alur name for a place in Arua

payini (n) pine, tree with needle leaves

pe (v) select, choose

peji (n) page

penati (n) penalty eg Shevuchenko ma penati fi ku. = Shevchenko's penalty did not go in.

pensilu (n) pencil

pere (conj) until, up to, till, til

pere asizu (adv) until the end, pakalast

Pere 'bani nezuru dika! (greeting) Till we see each other again (also 'Ba neru dika, 'Ba ne 'ba dika), Auf Wiedersehen (in German)

peta (n) selection, choice eg Wilu Smithi kini, "Chandi ada ada, te ori peta ni". = Will Smith said, "Danger is real, but fear is a choice."

petroli (n) petrol (also odu)

pi (adj) whole, (conj) and, (suffix) optional for terms of kinship like atipi/ atapi means father (also pika) or grammatical suffix by which a clause is turned into a noun agent like ageitepi means one who guards, (v) twist, plait; swell, expand

pie (adv) also, as well (pronounced pye)

pilawo (n) rice cooked with small chops of meat as a recipe (also pilau) eg Tomu ni pilawo nya Dereva ma Kona-a. = Tom is eating pilau at Drivers' Corner.

pilili (adj, n) naked, undressed

pilipili (n) red pepper (also piripiri)

Pilipino (n) a person born in the Philippines, what locals refer to themselves in the Philippines

pilo (n) pillow eg Nikolu 'du pilo ni. = Nicole is the one who took the pillow.

pipi (n) lollipop, sweet or confectionary on a stick

piri (adj) straight, erect, upright, straight forward, (pron) all, everything (also piripiri)

piri ku (adj) informal

pirini (n) without

piripiri (n) red pepper (also piza)

pita (n) swelling

planeti (n) planet eg Engazu eli 2016 pere 2030, SDG 17 (MDG 8 ma vutia) ki UN ma omveta alio dezu 'ba woro ni azini planeti ma agei tezu. Drinia abiri toko, alata muke, imbata onyiru, agupi oku be trotro, yi ala, aci 'bani eco jera, azi ala, okalamvu akiri, trotroako isizaru, aku ambo azini enyati tambazaru, nyaza azini ofuza inzitaru, 'yeta angu mile ni, idri yi iti-a, idri nyaku dria, asianzu azini e'yo liza, azini asizu ti icima golo ni. = From 2016 to 2030, the 17 SDGs (after 8 MDGs) are a UN call to end poverty for all and protect the planet. On top of that is zero hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water, affordable energy, decent work, industry innovation, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace and justice and finally partnerships for the goals.

plani (n) plan, strategy (also otuta)

pleti (n) plate (also saani)

po (v) hide, knock (also kpo)

pokopoko (n) yapping, loose talk

pole (adj, n) sorry

polisi (n) policeman eg Felike/ Feliksi ni polisi. = Felix is a policeman.

Pontio (n) Pontious eg Anguyo ma ru aziri Pontio lu Pilato dri le. = Anguyo's other name is Pontious just like Pilate's.

posho (n) ugali, East African staple food made from maize flour eg Rayani ni posho je Nyandarua Jo ago-a. = Ryan buys posho in Nyandarua County.

posta (n) poster (also e'da), post office eg Museveni ma posta = M7's poster

poye (n) game played by 2, 4 or 6 players (in singles, doubles or triples). They stand on opposite sides of a halfway line drawn on the ground as they hit a round rubber puck also called poye (made from mainly Umoja or Bata-esque flipflop cutouts joined together with nylon) back and forth using L-shaped sticks. Like a coin toss in Football, the game starts when the poye lying on the halfway line is hit from above with a stick; a player from the half in which it falls must roll it with his hand like a mini car tyre for his opponent to start hitting with his stick or foot. A point is scored when the puck is hit above the opponent who then rolls it back. When a player crosses to the opponent's half, one point is deducted from his side. Records can be kept mentally by the players or a referee who is not playing. Players stand one metre away from the centreline. In both halves, each player stands about one metre away from his teammate behind or in front of him. When the front player misses the puck, the one behind him must strike it...

premari (n) primary (also primari) eg "Cynthia" la P3 Arua Hill Premari-a. = Cynthia studied P3 at Arua Hill Primary.

prezidenti (n) president eg Donaldi Trampu ni Amerika ma prezidenti. = Donald Trump is America's president.

profeta (n) prophet (also nabi)

programu (n) program, programme, TV show eg Kari Ticitaru (ma) Programu Zota ni = United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

projekiti (n) project (also otita, otuta)

puro (n) grasshopping insect

puru (adj) quick, fast

purupuru (adv) carelessly, quickly

putuku (n) cooked leg or hoof of a cow (also mulokoni) eg Salimu nya putuku. = Salim ate the cowhoof.

Rr

ra (v) flow eg liquid, (adv, n) throughout the night, affirmative at the end of a sentence

Ragemu (n) suburb south of Arua City named Ragem, place along the Albert Nile between Pakwach and Rhino Camp eg Jesika mu Ragemu-a. = Jessica has gone to Ragem.

Ragemu Bichi (n) canopied rivershed with meanders on River Enyau about 3 kilometres south of Arua City, half a kilometre from CEFORD Arua eg Bobu nya mukati towi azini i'bi iri Ragemu Bichi-a. = Bob ate five loaves of bread and two fish at Ragem Beach.

ragibi (n) rugby eg Nyu Zilandi "All Blacks" ndeki Springibokisi Ragibi-a. = New Zealand All Blacks beat Springboks in rugby.

rakaka (adv) (do sth) first, in advance (also raka) eg Mi ofe rakaka! = (You) first pay!

Ramadani (n) Muslim month-long period for fasting (within 29 or 30 days) after and before sighting a new moon-crescent eg Yahya Au ni nyaka 'da Ramadani si. = John Au fasts during Ramadan.

Ramogi (n) subcounty north of Odravu

rangi (n) paint

rangi gba (v) paint eg Akiane ni rangi gba. = Akiane is painting.

rangi gbaza (n) painting

Rasta (n) Rastafarian eg Adima ni Rasta. = Adima is a Rastafarian.

rata (n) flow, melting (also raza)

Rawule (n) Oli Banyale's uncle in Lugbara mythology who escorted him to Mt. Wati

rawundi (n) round (in boxing)

re (adj) far away, (v) peel, peeled, rob, take away by force

redio (n) radio (also radio, uzunguruku) eg Kimu Nazi ni azi nga redio-a. = Kim Nazz works on radio.

redio eri (v) listening to radio eg Ma "Voice Of Life" Redio eri. = I'm listening to Voice Of Life Radio.

rehabu (n) rehab eg Rihana mu rehabu-a. = Rihanna went to the rehab.

Rejaf (n) place in present-day South Sudan near Juba where a group separated from the Madi migrating from Nigeria; they were named Lugbara 

rekodi (n) record

relu (n) rail

reluwe (n) train, railway eg Remo ni azi nga reluwe-a. = Remo works in railway.

Reluwe (n) block near Gaagaa Market in Arua where goods would be stored before being transported on the train passing through Pakwach

Rembe (n) one of the Greatest Prophets in Lugbara History who was taken by Whitemen to Yei (Sudan) for hanging in 1916 but Lugbara believe he never died and will return, rainmaker, emissary of divinity who claimed to perform miracles and heal illnesses. His footmarks were embedded on a bare rock between Meki and Loinya in Yivu Subcounty, Maracha. Simon Drapari's autobiography mentions rembe gods in Terego

remoti kontrolu (n) remote control (also remoti)

repabliki (n) republic (also republiki)

reta (n) peeling, robbing (also reza)

ri (suffix) relative pronoun meaning "one which is", (v) broadcast eg seeds; sit eg Lemani (Invinsibo) ri kome dria. = Lehmann (Invincible) sat on the bench.

Ri 'Be wereari (n) Ri Hill, found in Baria Village (also Riri)

ribi (n) pasture

riboni (n) ribbon eg "Arua Pioneer Decorators" 'ba riboni mutuka rua. = Arua Pioneer Decorators put ribbons on the car.

Rigbo (n) Oldest Subcounty formed in Lower Madi even before Rhino Camp, east of Bileafe, south of Odupi and Odravu, north of Ogoko

Rino Kambi (n) Rhino Camp, town in eastern Arua near the Albert Nile (also Rino Kampu, originally called Ajagoro) eg Taniko mu Rino Kambi-a. = Taniko went to Rhino Camp.

rita (n) broadcasting, sitting

ro (v) carry a heavy object, curse, miss

robi (n) hippo

robia (n) finance, income eg Ari ni i-robia nda "Zebra Corner"-a. = Ari looks for his income at Zebra Corner.

roboti (n) robot

Robu (n) place in Maracha after the forest next to Lokiragodo

roko (n) bare rock, vulture

Rokoze (n) manmade quarry crater lake that formed in Nyadri Subcounty (Maracha District) from rain and underground water when Chinese road constructors dug and extracted rocks

Roleksi (n) Rolex (Trademark) watch

roleksi (n) rollex, Ugandan delicacy of fried eggs rolled inside a chapati and might contain tomatoes, onions, carrots, cabbages or any other additional ingredients eg Ozeni ni roleksi nya anyoya si. = Ozen is eating rollex with anyoya.

Roma (n) Rome, capital of Italy

Romania (n) country in Europe eg Chivu enga Romania-a. = Chivu is from Romania. 

rombolo (n) mistake

rota (n) carrying a heavy object, curse

ru (adj) abrupt; (n) name eg Candiru, Inzikuru, Aciru; (v) catch, mate, respect eg Mi ru a'di-i? = What is your name?

ru biza (n) baptism

ru siza (n) name registration eg Wendi ni ru siza-a. = Wendi is at name registration.

rua (n) body (also ruati)

rua agupini (n) penis, male private part (also agele, opa)

rua driza (n) body fever

rua edezu (n) cleansing the body

rua okuni (n) vagina (also omogo, oma, angunya)

ruburubu (adj) sound of swallowing food (also nguringuri)

ruduku (n) forest (also oce, angu patiru, obibi)

rugbu (adv) abruptly, (n) noise made when something falls

Rukiga (n) language of Bakiga Tribe from southwest Uganda (also Ruchiga)

rukuza (n) popularity, fame, renown

rumu (n) room eg Tonto, Beti, Shiba, Gaga azini Niki esu rumu "Windsor Hotel"-a. = Tonto, Betty, Sheebah, Gaga and Nikki got rooms at Windsor Hotel.

Runyankole (n) tribe and language west of Buganda around Mbarara or Ankole Kingdom (also Runyankore) eg Amaniyo oni Runyankole. = Amaniyo learnt Runyankole.

ruta (n) mating, catching, respect (also ruza)

ruzali (n) rosary eg Gloria su ruzali ku. = Gloria does not wear a rosary.

Rwanda (n) country southwest of Uganda (also Ruanda or Ruwanda), probably part of Wakanda (in the Marvel Universe) alongside Uganda (East Africa) eg Mugema enga Rwanda-a. = Mugema comes from Rwanda.

Rwenzori (n) Rwenzori Area (pronounced Rwenjori), highest block mountain in Africa 5,109 metres above sea level found west of Kasese and stretching towards Lake Albert, Wonderland, featured in Black Panther movie eg Rwenjori ni 'Be ambo Mba ni. = Rwenzori is the Mountain of the Moon.

Rwothu (n) king of Alur

Rwotu (n) king of Acholi

Ss

sa (v) bury, clap, fly, plant, slap eg Semwanga ma avu 'ba sa Kayunga-a. = Semwanga's corpse was buried in Kayunga.

saa (n) clock, watch (also sawa), time, moment, occasion, era eg Saa ongo avizu Arua Chano-a = Time for playing music on Arua Channel

saa azia (n) lunch, 12 o'clock (also yi ali)

saani (n) plate (borrowed from Swahili)

saaru (n) so much

Sabato (n) Sabbath Day eg Padre Tonino ni o'bi imba Sabato si. = Father Tonino teaches people on Sabbath Day.

Sabatu (n) Sunday (also Sande, Sabiti, Sabatoni), Sabbaton - Greek first day of the week

Sabatu Ndende ni (n) Palm Sunday

sabuni (n) soap

sadaka (n) banquet

Sadukeini (n) Sadducees

safari (n) safari, journey

saimu (n) fast

saiso (n) sisal

Sakaru (n) female-given name meaning "Directionless(ly), Aimlessly"

sakati (n) bathroom

saketi (n) sacket eg Ledi Nana mvu iwa saketi-a ri ku. = Lady Nana does not drink alcohol in a sacket.

saku (n) type of calabash, an eliptical dish made of black clay and glazed to a dark color with a short handle on one side, used to serve food to the husband or an elderly person, utensil of great honor and prestige, available at Ajia Market in Vurra County (Arua District)

saluni (n) salon, barbershop, beautyshop

Sambya (n) suburb south of Arua Golf Course Roundabout and after Arua Hill Primary School (also Nsambya, Sambiya)

Samsoni (n) Samson eg Samsoni le Delila. = Samson loves Delilah.

San Siro (n) video hall in Osu Village formerly found less than half a kilometre on the right as you slope from Hospital Road to Osu River and named after the football home of Inter and AC Milan in the Italian Serie A

sanduku (n) suitcase

Sanduku Azizaniri (n) Ark of the Covenant (also Sanduku ADROUNI 'bani azita ta mbazuri) eg Ronaldi Wyati esu Sanduku Azizaniri Gologotha 'Be wereari ma eti-a. = Ronald Wyatt discovered the Ark of the Covenant under Golgotha Hill.

sandukua sandukua (v) community (village) savings

sarasara (adj) levelled, hazy in eyesight

saru (adv) a lot

sase (n) polythene bag (also kavera) eg Sase ci? = Is there a polythene bag?

sata (n) burial, planting, slapping, flying (also saza)

sati (n) shirt

sati ma wu (n) shirt sleeve (also sati ma wi)

Sawusi Afrika (n) Republic of South Africa (RSA) eg Sofi ni aa Sawusi Afrika-a. = Sophie stays in South Africa.

sayansi (n) science

se (v) breathe, pull, flat(ten), level, smoke (also see), (adj) elastic (also sese, pakadili)

Sebei (n) Sebei eg Chemutai ni Sebei. = Chemutai is a Sebei.

sei (n) sword, dagger eg Dastani ma sei ci "Prince of Persia" (filimu)-a. = Dastan has a dagger in Prince of Persia (film).

sekondari (n) secondary

sekondi (n) second of time

sekua (n) three sided gobea used for eating nuts or food

selasa (n) slasher (also selesa)

semenikia (n) borehole (also bowaholu)

semutundu (n) type of fish

sende (n) money (also mali, lonyi nyakuari) eg Bryani Whaiti fe 'ba pini sende biasara ngazu. = Bryan White gave people money for doing business.

sende simu si (n) mobile money

seneti (n) senate

senge (n) leftover or remnant after sieving cassava flour

seniya (n) tray (also saniya)

serafi (n) seraphim angel(s) with three pairs of wings

Serere (n) place in Teso after Soroti City eg Monika ma agupi enga Serere-a. = Monica's husband is from Serere.

seri (n) type of plant used for fencing

seta (n) breath (also ava), pulling, smoking (also seza)

setilaiti (n) satellite

shaolini (n) related to shaolin monk or temple, clean shave haircut

sheiki (n) sheikh eg Sheiki Zayedi = Sheik Zayed

sheika (n) sheikha

si (conj) on, by, because of; (n) tooth, hailstone; (suffix) with, (v) write, knock; peel, build eg Huanga Mingi si "Solar City" Chaina-a. = Huang Ming built Solar City in China.

si dini (n) situation where someone smiled or teeth shone (but the heart was dark)

si otru (n) gum

Sidini (n) Sydney

sidriani (conj) as if, as though, like eg Ma e'do ama sidriani ma asi imbu ma agati-a ri si. = I started to feel like my heart jumped out of my chest.

sigino (n) signal eg Voice Of America ma sigino = Voice Of America's signal

sigiri (n) charcoal stove

sikati (n) skirt eg Stela su sikati imve. = Stella wore a white skirt.

Silamu (n) Muslim(ah) eg Miriamu ni Silamu ma ru. = Miriam is a Muslim name.

sile (n) missing teeth

sileru (adj) toothless

Silimu (n) AIDS (also Azo ondrindria niri, Azo Ambori [The Big Disease]) eg Fili Bongole Lutaya dra Silimu si. = Philly Bongole Lutaaya died of AIDS.

silingi (n) shilling(s), Kenyan or Ugandan or Tanzanian (East African) forex exchange currency, cash money eg silingi 40,000 = 40,000 Shillings

silipa (n) slipper(s) (also afa su pa-a, slipa) eg Ojangole su silipa. = Ojangole is wearing slippers.

silo (n) silo(s) eg Riela ni silo ede. = Riela makes silos.

simbili (n) dagger, woman's knife for weaving or making various Lugbara handicrafts like kobi, koyia and tiko (also okuilia)

simiti (n) cement eg Edimandi je simiti "Hardware World Ntinda"-a. = Edmund bought cement at Hardware World Ntinda.

simu (n) phone eg Angweni su Nokia simu ima mufuku-a. = Angwen put a Nokia phone in her pocket.

simu gba (v) ring, call eg Kazora gba simu Yemi ni. = Kazora phoned Yemi.

simu ofelekuri (n) toll-free telephone line, toll-free call (also simu robia nyapikuri)

simu waraga aliaru (n) Short Message Service (SMS)

sindani (n) syringe, needle (also libira)

sindani bongo sozuri (n) sewing needle

sinfoni (n) symphony

singiri (n) rigidity, refusal to change

siniga (n) flu, colds, influenza

sinthi (n) music synthesizer, synth

siosio (n) grasshopper with a big head

siperu (n) gaptoothed

sipeso (n) special (also atandu), special hire taxi eg Amanya ni sipeso ayu. = Amanya is using a special hire taxi.

siri (n) secret eg Enoka lu siri. = Enoch told a secret.

siso (n) jaw

sita (n) writing

Sitani (n) Satan, the Devil, adversary, accuser of the Brethren, Lucifer, Angel of Light, Morning Star (also Setani)

siti (n) city (also aku ambo) eg Miguna Miguna ni mu Nairobi Siti-a. = Miguna Miguna is going to Nairobi City.

sizoni (n) season (also wangi, mange) eg Danielu Kawesa nde "Coca-Cola Rated Next", Sizoni Alu. =  Daniel Kawesa won Coca-Cola Rated Next, Season One.

slo mo (n)  slow motion (also acita e'yere)

smatifoni (n) smartphone eg "Moon" ni Samsanga smatifoni ayu. = Moon uses a Samsung smartphone.

so (v) gather, collect, together, prick, pierce

so'bi (n) tail

soda (n) soda eg Ajua mu Mirinda soda mvu "Golden Courts Hotel"-a. = Ajua went to drink Mirinda soda at Golden Courts Hotel.

soka (n) bedsheet (also suka), association football, soccer (also mopira, mupira)

sokisi (n) socks eg Pamela su sokisi imve. = Pamela wore white socks.

sokolo (n) thin line inside cassava tuber, sth to do with sitting

sola (n) solar eg Oyako ni sola ayu. = Oyako uses solar.

solusoni (n) ORS first aid dehydration solution for running stomach made by mixing half teaspoon of salt, one cup of water and two teaspoons of sugar

Somali (n) Somali(an), sb or sth from Somalia

Somalia (n) Somalia, territory bordering Kenya in the northeast and west of the Indian Ocean eg Mugyenyi mu Somalia-a. = Mugyenyi went to Somalia.

soro (n) board game

soroko (n) part of cassava root

Soroti (n) town in Eastern Uganda, southwest of Lira and northwest of Mbale, predominantly occupied by the Teso, Solot eg Eja enga Soroti-a. = Eja is from Soroti.

sowani (n) plate, satellite dish (also bakule)

spageti (n) spaghetti, long and thin pasta eg Joana ni spageti nya. = Joana is eating spaghetti.

Speini (n) Spain eg Andresi Iniesta avi mupira Baselona ni azini Speini (be). = Andres Iniesta played soccer for Barcelona and Spain.

spidi (n) speed

spika (n) speaker (also anzenze ei, agu e'yo nzepiri, anzenzea 'dipi)

spoki (n) spoke

springi (n) spring (also sepringi)

stadia (n) stadium, arena eg UG si stadia azi Hoima-a azini Lira-a. = UG built other stadiums in Hoima and Lira.

stanja (n) stanza, song verse

stediumu (n) stadium (also mupira pari, stadia, stediamu)

stesoni (n) station eg UNHCR (pronounced UwNaHaChaRa) ma stesoni azi Bidibidi-a. = UNHCR has another station in Bidibidi.

stowa (n) store eg Aseru ni stowa we. = Aseru is sweeping the store.

stresi (n) stress

su (n) four, (v) put in, score, hurt, pain; wear, put on, pour eg water, to have diarrhoea eg Adele ma asi su. = Adele's heart pained.

Sudani (n) country north of Uganda and South Sudan, zone in Mvara Cell near where Emmanuel Cathedral is located eg Julieti imvi Sudani-a risi. = Juliet returned from Sudan.

sufaria (n) saucepan (also sufuria, sopiria)

suhuru (n) suhoor, iftar, Muslim breakfast before sunrise during Ramadan (also futuru)

sukari (n) sugar eg Sukari 'di enga Lobe-a. = This sugar is from Lobe.

sukari azo (n) diabetes

sukulu (n) school (also skulu) eg Sukulu pe ma mile ni, mi iza mi sawa aku-a ku! = School attracted my eye, do not waste your time at home!

sukulu fizi (n) school fees

sukuma wiki (n) spinach eg Popayi ni sukuma wiki nya okpo isuzu. = Popeye eats spinach to get power.

Sultan Isara (n) great Vurra chief who died on 26th July 1949

suluwayiwayi (n) small donuts usually less than 2 centimetres in length and width

suru (n) tribe, clan, nation, country, kingdom, culture eg Afrika ni tutuni suru ini. = Africa is mainly a black nation.

suru ma e'yo (n) meeting as a clan to discuss difficulties

suru ma kala andraleru (n) downcountry

suru ma kala oruleru (n) upcountry

suruali (n) shorts (also pa ali, pali)

sururu (n) mattock, pick axe, metal tool with two pointed ends (one sharper) for digging hard soil and attached to a long handle

suta (n) pain (also suza)

suti (n) suit eg Kawunda suti = (Kenneth) Kaunda suit

suza (n) pour(ing), urination (also odre suza), Rwanda-Rundi kunyaza, Ugandan kachabali, Western Jazz, female ejaculation

suzi (n) shoe(s)

swici (n) switch eg Martini ikpa swici. = Martin pressed the switch.

Swideni (n) Sweden eg Yofasi ni Swideni-a. = Yofasi is in Sweden.

Tt

ta (adv) used to be, (n) sound when sth is slapped or struck; (v) endure eg Hotelu Arua ma ru ta Hotelu Kalifonia. = Hotel Arua's name used to be (called) Hotel California.

ta mba (v) take care, keep safe

ta sipikuri (n) unfamiliar

taba (n) tobacco, cigarette eg Gamete atri taba oziza. = Government has blocked tobacco selling.

taba seza (n) smoking (also taba seta), (v) smoke tobacco eg Taba seza yo! = No smoking!

tabaini (n) turbine eg Danieli Koneli ide tabaini gaa ni. = Daniel Connell made a small turbine.

Tabani Geri (n) Taban Lane, road that connects Adumi Road after the north end of OB Plaza to Market Lane eg "Radiology Centre" ni Tabani Geri-a. = Radiology Centre is on Taban Lane.  

tabunakulu (n) tabernacle

tai (n) pity, surprise, necktie

taikondo (n) taekondo eg Semuju ni taikondo avi. = Semujju plays taekondo.

Taiwani (n) Taiwan, independent state in East Asia, the Republic of China (ROC)

tajiri (n) rich person

tala (n) lamp; side, hurricane eg Tala Katrina eza jo karakara Nyu Orilinzi-a. = Hurricane Katrina destroyed several houses in New Orleans.

talakpa (adj) not tasty (also talapa)

tali (n) magic, marvel, miracle, seat of the ability of an individual to influence others apart from the exercise of lineage authority

taliru (adj, adv) magical, marvelous, miraculous

tamborini (n) tamborine

tambula (n) tumbler, almost coneshaped metallic cup eg Marita ni tambula oji. = Martha is washing the tumbler.

tampeko (n) metallic cup (like those made by TUMPECO Limited in Ntinda Industrial Area)

tandi (adj) true (also ada, adaada)

Tanganyika (n) suburb near Arua City and towards Arua Airport

tangawuzi (n) ginger eg Silvano ni tangawuzi mvu. = Silvano is drinking ginger.

tapu (n) tap

Tara (n) subcounty in Maracha originally comprising Ojapi, Vura, Ajulepi, Yidu, Oliapi (also Oliyepi), Aruwe and Rendu parishes before splitting

Tarawi (n) Taraweeh Muslim night prayers during Ramadan (also Tarawihi)

tasipiku (adj, adv) unbecoming

tata (adv) always, daily

tatu (n) tattoo

tawulo (n) towel, large intestine of a cow

tawuni (n) town eg Dreki ni tawuni-a Koka Kola mvu Kamure be. = Drake is in town drinking Coca Cola with Kamure.

tayataya (adv) (said of movement) tilted side to side, swaying

tayilu (n) tile(s) (also tailu) eg Angutoko ni tayilu osu. = Angutoko is fixing tiles.

te (adv) affirmative at the end of sentence; (conj) but (also tedi), (v) gas, break wind; wait, collect white ants (fig.) eg MUNGU ni 'ba nyakua 'diyi lele turisi ERI fe mvi ERINI tile aluri, 'dini 'ba dria alu alu eri aipiri ma ja dri ku, te ma ovu idri 'dani 'dani ri be. - Yohana 3:16 = For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

tegula (n) tiles

teketeke (adv) completely

tekinoloji (n) technology eg Baidu ni tekinoloji ayu wudrikuru mbazaru ri ede ewakoko. = Baidu uses technology to make a complex world easier.

Televizoni (n) Television, TV (also Tivi, Tava) eg Ongo ni avi Westinailu Televizoni-a = Music is playing on Westnile Television.

tena (n) tennis, tenor voice eg Stefi Grafu ni tena avi. = Steffi Graf is playing tennis.

tepu n) tape

Tere (n) great grandfather of Terego forced out of Bahr el Ghazal, moved to Nimule then Acholiland. Tere married an Acholi woman and got two sons: Gboro and Tifoli

Terego (n) Lugbara clan and area northeast of Arua City surrounded by Ayivu, Maracha, Yumbe, Albert Nile and Moyo; location of Mt. Wati where Lugbara are believed to have originated

teri (n) load, luggage

Teso (n) tribe in eastern Uganda settled mainly in Soroti and Serere plus other areas, sb from Teso, Itesot, Muteso eg Ogwapiti ni Teso. = Ogwapit is a Muteso.

teta (n) waiting, collecting white ants

theata (n) theatre

ti (adj) in vain; (n) cow, heads of cattle; sound of dropping liquid, hang (oneself); mouth (also tile), language, dialect, periphery, edge, opening, proximity, adjacency; (v) dress smartly, thatch, sign, press a button, leap, hop; give birth, deliver, replicate, multiply, reproduce eg Ti Yuganda-a lu towi: Bantu, Luo, Karamojong-Ateso, Madi-Lugbara azini Azia. = There are only five languages in Uganda: Bantu, Luo, Karamojong-Ateso, Madi-Lugbara and Asian.

ti aroni (n) cow, heifer

ti ago (n) bull

ti ape (phr v) comment

ti onzi (n) bad mouth, foul, vulgar language eg Nyanji ayu ti onzi. = Nyanzi used vulgar language.

ti'bi (n) beard (also ti'biti'bi, tibitibi)

tibi (n) sauce eg Ariana ede tibi. = Ariana made sauce.

ticita (n) unity

ticitaru (adj) united eg Kari Ticitaru = United Nations

tidatida (n) sticky on surface because of liquid that landed

tiicima (n) unity (also tiicita, ticita, ticima)

tiketi (n) ticket eg 'Ba mbiri yi tiketi je Mesi ni nezu. = Many people buy tickets to watch Messi.

tile (n) shutter

tilikpa (adj) tough, half boiled (meat)

timu (n) team 

tingatinga amvu 'yapiri (n) tractor machine, handheld plougher that can use 3 litres of oil for 3 acres

tinzeta (n) speaking, spoken language (also tinzeza) eg "BBC" ni tinzeta imba. = BBC teaches spoken language.

tipa (n) tipper truck eg 'Ba da sende tawuni-a tipasi. = Money was poured (or dumped) in (the) town using a tipper.

tisi (adv) orally, by mouth

tita (n) hanging

tivi (n) television, TV set (also televizoni) eg "John Logie Baird" kini: Mi anyu tivi ku! = John Logie Baird said: Don't switch off the television!

tiyagasi (n) teargas eg Kivumbi oji i-ma mile tiyagasi ma e'yo si. = Kivumbi washed his eyes because of teargas.

tiza (n) beef, cow meat; delivery, birth

to (v) fill liquid in container, accuse, report eg Alesi to ndima cupa ma-a. = Alesi poured orange juice in a bottle.

toci (n) torch eg eg Aburahamu je toci Kubala-a. = Abraham bought a torch in Kubala.

toko (adv) zero, for nothing, for no reason

Tondolo (n) place northeast from Terego, southwest of Omugo where an industrial park was planned

Tongilo (n) place on Go Down Road (Arua) near BBC where metallic cases and safes are made

Torikili (n) Torkili, highest hill and point in Lugbaraland, found in Logiri (Vurra) at 1,436 metres above sea level

toro (n) beehive (also turu)

torozi (n) pair of trousers

tota (n) accusation, report (also toza)

towi (adj, n) five eg Levandoski su golo towi dakika oromi ma alea. = Lewandowski scored five goals in nine minutes.

tra (v) satisfy, gather

traa (n) robin-bird (also traatraa)

tramu (n) tram eg Mbayo aci tramu si. = Mbayo travelled by tram.

tratra (n) collection (also traza), heap

trazaru (adj) satisfied, for collecting

tre (adj) many, numerous, full; (v) shout, rebuke

tri (v) brush, rub, curse, smear

tro (adv) even though, even if, (v) become soft like overcooked meat

trotro (adj) equal, the same eg Kijomoro "FC" azini "URA" de mupira trotro. = Kijomoro FC and URA ended the football game equal.

tru (v) forgive, remove (clothes), take off, untie, move

truta (n) forgiveness (also truza, pata) eg Oguo ai truta YESU vu musalaba sia. = The thief begged for forgiveness from JESUS on the cross.

truzaru (n) forgiven, 4GVN

tu (adj) much; (v) climb, kick, dance eg Shakira ni ongo tu Matonge Disko-a. = Shakira is dancing in Matonge Disco.

tualu (adv) together eg Mukwano "Industries" Kampala ni azi nga Ozuu Brothers Arua be tualu. = Mukwano Industries Kampala works together with Ozuu Brothers Arua.

tujari (n) business, trade (also biasara, tujara) eg Eli 2063 ka ca 'bo, Ongulumu Afrika ma Ticitani le tujari ma aci atrita koko. = By 2063, African Union wants trade to move freely.

tujari ru (n) trademark (also tujara ru)

tukutuku (n) rickshaw, tuk tuk, nickname for soldiers coined by ancient West Nile natives from the sound made by Belgian rifle gunshots

turismo (n) tourism (also angu oneza) eg Kemiyondo ni turismo icu. = Kemiyondo promotes tourism.

turu (n) beehive (also toro) eg Maneno ede turu. = Maneno made a beehive.

turu alu (adj, n) one hundred

tusu (n) saliva

tutua (n) motorcycle (also odrua, piki piki) eg Jeri ni tutua onzu. = Jerry is riding a motorcycle.

tutuni (adv) mainly, mostly

tuzu drile (adv) and above - said of ages (also muzu drile) eg Fabregasi avi Aseno timu okori ni desi eri eli 18 tuzu drile. = Fabregas played for Arsenal's first team when he was 18 years and above.

Uu [shares some words with Oo]

ubalako (n) fox (also obalako, oboloko)

Uganda (n) East African country where I was born (pronounced Uwganda), Pearl of Africa (also Yuganda)

Uhuru Geri (n) Independence Road starts from the Arua Hill Roundabout and extends along the foot of Arua Hill eg Karungi ni azi nga Uhuru Geri-a. = Karungi works on Independence Road.

Ukreini (n) Ukraine (also Yukreini) eg Muzungu azi enga Ukreini-a imu olokoto ma odre nda Westi Nailu-a. = Some muzungu came from Ukraine to search for the urine of a gecko in West Nile.

Ulaya (n) Europe eg Floriani ni Ulaya-a. = Florian is in Europe.

Ulepi (n) Uleppi, place in Upper Madi between Bondo and Okollo

univasiti (n) university eg Mawa mu Kyambogo Univasiti-a. = Mawa went to Kyambogo University.

uri (n) fear, cowardice, snake (also ori); louse, sweat, rust; seeds for planting, seedlings

urindi onzi (n) evil spirit, madness, lunacy, epilepsy (also orindi onzi)

uru (prep) high, up

Urukurua (n) hill in Terego famous for the rock on which Robert Afeti wrote the warning "Tooth can lost" on 20th August 1992 at around 2pm after crashing and losing four teeth at the dangerous spot while riding his bicycle from Owaffa trading centre; his father died from wounds caused by an accident on that slope

uruleru (prep) upward, upper

urulesi (prep) up, standing

usu (n) gun, (v) dress (also osu)

Vv

va (v) guess, understand

vala (adj) vast, wide

vata (n) guessing, understanding

vata kokoru (adj) ignorant

vazaru (adj) understood

vaa (adv) down (also vaalesi, sometimes va)

vaale (adv) downward

vaaleru (adv, adj) downward

vasi (n) verse eg Vasi bi ma! = The verse grabbed me! (fig.)

ve (v) burn

vele (prep) behind (also vile)

velomutuka (n) velocar, velomobile (also velo[mobilu])

vi (n) tsetse fly, pus, scratch

viato (n) shoes (also wara, nyila, katara) eg Karitasi su viato ini. = Karitas wore black shoes.

vicoru (adj) liked, lovable, enjoyable

vidio (n) video

vile (adv) backwards eg Ama mu drile, acani go vile ku. = We are moving ahead, we won't go backwards.

vini (conj) also

vino (n) wine, ink eg Mingoro vino = Mingoro wine

violini (n) violin eg "Miri Ben-Ari" ni violini avi. = Miri Ben-Ari plays violin.

vo (v) slash

VOLU (n) Voice Of Life Uganda, 100.9 FM VOL Radio, West Nile's pioneer broadcast station, exclusively church-oriented and Gospel music-playing media eg Alice Drijaru Asedri ma ongo ni avi VOLU-a. = Alice Drijaru Asedri's song is playing on VOL.

vorovoro (adj) soft

vu (n) ground; (prep) near, with him/ her/ it; (v) blow eg Abiriambati ni Go Dawuni Geri vu. = Abiriambati is near Go Down Road.

vudu (n) voodoo, vodou, witchcraft (also enata)

VUKA (n) the only ONE Who knows everything and can solve any problem, sacred word compared to Hebrew word YHWH (YAHWEH), not used commonly because of respect and fear

vule (adv) behind, backwards (also vile), follower (younger sibling)

Vura (n) Vurra, Lugbara clan, town and area southwest of Arua City, URA Customs border post on the DR Congo International Boundary, parish in Tara Subcounty (of Maracha East comprising the villages of Agavua, Pajuru, Igumayi, Kololo East, Agaruku and Odupiri) eg Kevini mu Vura-a. = Kevin has gone to Vurra.

vuti (n) buttocks, behind, glorious maximus, nyash (also eti)

vuti bi (v) follow

vutia (adv) behind

vutini (adj) the next, the one that follows

vutinia (adv) afterwards, later, after him or her

vutisi (adj) the next, the one that follows

Ww & 'W'w [Whwh]

wa (v) ripen

waa (v) prove

wa'di (n) relative, wife eg Eri ma wa'di ma ru Tenisha. = His wife's name is Tenisha.

wa'diko (adj) without relative

waka (n) servant, employee

wakoko (adj) weak, easy

wala (adj) wide, large, broad (also vala, ambo)

walaka (n) basket plate for eating

walala (adj) brown, light, lightskinned (also walalaru)

walaru (adj) wide, large, broad

Wandi (n) place near Terego reachable eastwards from Ombaci via Rhino Camp Road, road junction that connects Katrini and Oriajini to Owafa and Odupi

wangi (n) season (also mange)

wara (n) shoes eg Serena su wara imve. = Serena wore white shoes.

waraga (n) certificate, newspaper, letter, mail eg Mbabazi si waraga leta ni ima ago vu. = Mbabazi wrote a love letter to her boyfriend.

waraga simu-a aliaru (n) SMS, Short Message Service (also simu waraga aliaru, waraga simu-a si)

waraji (n) waragi, Ugandan liquor

wari (adj) round, circle eg Etu ni wari. = The sun is round.

wariru (adj) round, circular

wasi wasi (n) worry, care, alarm, concern, skepticism

Wati (n) one of the Top 5 Highest Mountains in West Nile but Highest in Lugbaraland, 1,250 metres above sea level, found in Erea Parish of Aii-vu Subcounty (Terego) near Cilio and Abiria (also Mt. Wati, Mt. Eti, Iti), origin of the Lugbara Tribe

waya (n) wire eg Itungo ni waya ozi. = Itungo sells wires.

we (v) dust, clean off dust, sweep eg Emi we emi yofe si! = Sweep yourselves with a broom/ Come in large numbers! [Lugbara Idiom]

webusaiti (n) website eg Tabule zi i-ma webusaiti. = Tabule opened his webusaiti.

Wenreko (n) WENRECo, West Nile Rural Electrification Company since 2003 with the slogan "Diza - Powering West Nile", nicknamed "Wasreco" in Arua because of frequent loadshedding but still used to be incredibly more efficient than Umeme or Aggreko in KLA while using noisy petrothermal generation from Osu Village for 18 constant hours until midnight before Nyagak Hydro Dams

were (adj) little, small, short (also gakanya, gakandia, alia, werea)

wetreko (n) mud (also orutreku)

wetrekoru (adj) muddy

weza (n) sweeping

wi (n) arm; (v) peel off, skin; spit, yield (said of tubers eg Ayu wi saaru! = Yams yielded much!)

wiketi (n) wicket (in cricket)

wiki (n) week

wiki deza (n) weekend

wiki e'doza (n) weekstart

wiri wiri (n) sling, whirlpool

wita (n) spit(tle)

wizi (n) thread eg Chi-Chi Gweno ni wizi ozi Ovujo-a. = Chi-Chi Gweno sells threads in Ovujo.

woko (n) direction, part, side (also kalati, boko) eg Woko 'dole = This side

Wolo (n) place south of Yumbe

woro (pron) all (also woro woro, synonyms: teke teke, mgbu mgbu, dria dria, kunya kunya, whi whi, kina kina, kpiri kpiri, 'daku 'daku)

woroworo (n) sound made while walking on dry grass, leaves, etc

woroto (n) dung or animal waste product

wu (n) arm (also wi); (v) cry, remove eg Wu o'boko ni ra. = S/he removed the shell.

wudrikuru (n) world (also oro), universe

wura (n) colour, art, fine arts, activity of colouring (also wura gbata), Kunst (in German), yishu (in Chinese) eg 'Di Lugbara wura! = This is Lugbara art!

'wara (adj) big (also whara)

'warangala (adj) very big

'wi (v) dry

'wiza (adj) dry (also a'wi, a'wiru, whiza)

Yy & 'Y'y [Yhyh]

YA (n) GOD above everything

ya (v) sieve, sort, shake eg Oyakiya ya angu. = An earthquake shook the place.

yaa (v) tremble

yabi (n) spear grass (also yebi)

yakani (n) fetish

yakpakpa (n) panic, hurrying, rushing

yamandu (n) segregation, bias, preferential treatment eg Yamandu "Oviva Church of Uganda" Aroi Joago-a yo! = There's no segregation at Oviva Church of Uganda in Aroi Subcounty!

yamari (n) banquet, feast (of wedding)

yata (n) shaking, sorting, separate, sieving (flour), trembling

YAWE (n) YHWH, YAHWEH LORD GOD

yazaru (adv, n) separated, sorted, shaken

yebi (n) spear grass

YEHOVA (n) ADRO, GOD, JAH, JEHOVAH - Latin name for YHWH or YAHWEH, MUNGU

yekeye (n) red safari ant, totem for Koboko Clan

yekoko (pron) many, numerous, plenty (also yekokoru)

yere (n) bush buck

yereyere (adj) rough, scattered

Yerusalemu (n) Jerusalem eg Paulo mu Yerusalemu-a. = Paul went to Jerusalem.

YESU Kristo (n) JESUS Christ (also YEZU), the Greatest Human Being to walk on Earth and the Sea, Superprophet, Saviour of Sinners, Son of GOD, Lamb of GOD, Prince of Peace, KING of Kings and LORD of Lords, XP, The Anointed One, Witness and Judge on Judgement Day eg YESU ni Opi! = JESUS is Lord!

yi (n) water (also iyi); suffix for plurals; (pron) they; (v) pour eg Ma yi mvu. = I'm drinking water.

yi ali (n) lunch, lunchtime (also nyaka itu-a), water depth eg Etu ni yi ali o'bi ri-a! = The sun is measuring the water depth (when it is directly overheard around lunchtime)!

yi ti (n) goal post

yi kuru (n) waterfall (also yikuru)

yi ondi (n) sewerage (literally dirty water)

yi weza (n) swimming (also yisaza) eg Yi weza 'dia yo! = No swimming here!

yia (n) referring to Buganda or KLA City, (prep) in water, to the well or river

yiara (n) river, running water (also miri)

yiki (n) pity, mercy (also yikii)

Yikii (n) male-given name (also Yiki)

yilemvu (n) water pot eg Aisha ni yilemvu oji. = Aisha is washing the waterpot.

yindua (n) underwater, person who goes underwater, Devil worshipper

yiru (adj) watery eg Kafu ni yiru. = Kafu is watery.

Yivu (n) subcounty in Maracha, west of Omugo

yiyia (n) mosquito eg Yiyia ci ma. = A mosquito bit me.

yo (adv) not, (interj) no, (pron) nothing

yofe (n) broom eg Tedi ni angu we yofe si. = Teddy is sweeping the place with a broom.

Yole (n) place in Terego, Lugbara subclan with ancestry from Ethiopia

yu (adj) lukewarm (also yuu), warm; (v) warm oneself with fire or sunheat eg Homi ni i-oji yi yu si. = Homi bathes herself with warm water.

Yuganda (n) Uganda, the Pearl of Africa

yuku (n) kite eg Yuku ni nga. = A kite is flying.

Yumbe (n) Ugandan district inhabited mainly by the Aringa, northeast of Arua and Maracha, east of Koboko, west of Moyo eg Dina ni Yumbe-a. = Dina is in Yumbe.

yumula (n) week, Sunday (also yumala, wiki, sabiti, sabatu, yinga)

Yuropa (n) Europa eg Ademola Lukumani nde Yuropa Ligi eli 2024 si Atalanta ni. = Ademola Lookman won the 2024 Europa League for Atalanta.

yuta (n) mother goes to bathe daughter with hot water after giving birth and sustaining injuries in her private parts

yuthu (n) youth (also yutu, 'ba ode, karile) eg Katalina ni yuthu. = Katalina is a youth.

'ya (v) dig (also yha) eg Sina ni amvu 'ya. = Sina is digging the garden.

'ye (n) arrow; (v) do (also o) eg Magufuli ni ta a'du 'ye? = What would Magufuli do?

'ye bi-a wu (adj) buzzing eg Afa 'ye bi-a wu. = It's buzzing in the ear.

'ye ofezu dratia (n) sacrificing a goat to satisfy a blood debt that brought misfortunes after an arrow was fired from a bow and accidentally killed someone as in Lugbara folklore

'yeke (adj) okay, all right, correct

'yeta (n) deed, action

'yetasi (adv) by deed, by action (also yhetasi)

'yezaru (adv) done

'yo (v) say, speak, talk, utter (also yho) eg Olivu 'yo ica Burundi-a muke. = Olive said she reached Burundi safely.

'yota (n) saying, speaking, talking, utterance

Zz [pronounced Jj immediately after Nn]

za (n) meat (also eza, iza)

za kalanya (n) beef

Za ondo (n) Queen

Zaki (n) Lugbara dialect in DR Congo

Zambia (n) cell, village or zone in Mvara after Barifa Forest and before Kenya Zone, country down south separated from Uganda by Tanzania eg Mvara Primary School ni Zambia Zone-a. = Mvara Primary School is in Zambia Zone.

zamva (n) girl, meat child eg Britni ni zamva te saa azi ma vutia, eri mu eca oku. = Britney is a girl but after some time, she is going to become a woman.

zapi (n) niece (daughter) eg Judithi Babirye Ayikoru ni eri ma zapi. = Judith Babirye Ayikoru is his niece.

ze (v) defecate, push; faeces, shit, dung

zele (n) anus (also aise geri)

Zeroksi (v) Xerox

zi (n) daughter (also zii); (v) hide, open; ask, greet

Zibeya (n) female-given name meaning "Did they consult?"

ziri (adv) far

zita (n) question, greeting

ziza (n) privacy

zizaru (adv) hidden, questionable, open(ed)

zo (v) cross (a river), grow, milk

zomaazi (n) peer, colleague eg Dodo ni e'yo nze zomaazi be. = Dodo is talking to a colleague.

Zombo (n) Alur town and district south of Arua before Nebbi

zori (suffix) the one which is for or of

zota (n) growth, development, prosperity, length, milking (also zoza)

zozo (adv) distant, far, long

zu (adv) whole day, morning to evening; (phr v, prep, suffix) for eg ayiko zu = enjoy (for happiness)

zukulu (n) gourd, calabash (also erece), ndeku in Luganda

zunguru zanga (n) chicken struck by lightning

zuru (adj) full to the brim

zuzu (adv) everyday, daily

Kalafe [Numbers]:

0. Toko/ Ogbo

1. Alu

2. Iri

3. Na

4. Su

5. Towi/ Tawu

6. Azia

7. Aziri

8. Aro

9. Oromi

10. Mudri/ Modri

11. Mudri (dri)ni alu

12. Mudri (dri)ni iri

20. Kali iri

21. Kali iri drini alu

22. Kali iri drini iri

30. Kali na

40. Kali su

50. Kali towi

100. Turu alu

101. Turu alu (drini) alu

102. Turu alu (drini) iri

110. Turu alu mudri

111. Turu alu mudri drini alu

112. Turu alu mudri drini iri

120. Turu alu kali iri

121. Turu alu kali iri drini alu

122. Turu alu kali iri drini iri

200. Turu iri

300. Turu na

400. Turu su

1,000. Alifu alu

2,000. Alifu iri

3,000. Alifu na

1,000,000. Milioni alu 

47,000,000,000. Bilioni kali su drini aziri

12,000,000,000,000. Trilioni mudri drini iri

The LORD's Prayer [Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4; very similar to the submissive Muslim Daily Worship Prayer (Salah/ Swalat) which is always said in Arabic, Koran 1 (The Opening)]:

ATA amani ovupi 'buari [Our FATHER who art in Heaven],

Ru MINI ma ovu inzizaru [Hallowed be THY name];

Suru MINI ma emu [YOUR Kingdom come];

E'yo MINI leleri ma 'ye-i nyakua ekile 'buarile [YOUR Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven].

Mi fe etu 'dosi nyaka andruni ama dri [Give us today our daily food].

Mi ku mari amani, amani 'ba afa amani nyapi 'diyi ma mari kulerile [Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors].

Mi ji ama obeta ma alea ku [Lead us not into temptation];

Mi pa ama 'ba onzi dri [Deliver us from evil].

Te suru pi, okpo pie, diza pie dria MINI 'dani 'dani [For the Kingdom, power, and glory are YOURS forever and ever].

Amena [Amen]!

BUKU BIBLIA ALA-A [BOOKS IN THE BIBLE]

Buku Okuri [Old Testament]:

E'doza (Buku Musa ni sile aluri) = Genesis

Efuza (Buku Musa ni sile iriri) = Exodus

Kalafe (Buku Musa ni sile nari) = Numbers

Azita Amvizu (Buku Musa ni sile suri) = Deuteronomy

Yosua = Joshua

'Ba E'yo Lipi ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri (Aluri/ Okori azini iriri) = 1st and 2nd Judges

Rutu = Ruth

Samueli 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Samuel

Opi 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Kings

Suru ma E'yo 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Chronicles

Ezira = Ezra

Nehemia = Nehemiah

Esiteri = Esther

Yobu = Job

Zaburi = Psalms

E'yo O'beza = Proverbs

Eklesiaste = Ecclesiastes

Ongo Sulemani ni = Songs of Solomon (Songs of Songs)

Isaya = Isaiah

Yeremia = Jeremiah

Imvo Ongo = Lamentations

Ezekieli = Ezekiel

Danieli = Daniel

Hosea = Hosea

Yoeli = Joel

Amosi = Amos

Obadia = Obadiah

Yona = Jonah

Mika = Micah

Nahumi = Nahum

Habakuki = Habakuk

Zefania = Zephania

Hagai = Haggai

Zekaria = Zechariah

Malaki = Malachi

Buku O'diri [New Testament]:

Matayo = Matthew

Mariko = Mark

Luka = Luke

Yohana = John

'Yeta 'Ba Ojioru ('Diyi) ni = Acts of the Apostles

'Ba Roma-a ('Diyi) = Romans

'Ba Korinto-a ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Corinthians

'Ba Galatia-a ('Diyi) = Galatians

'Ba Efeso-a ('Diyi) = Ephesians

'Ba Filipi-a ('Diyi) = Philippians

'Ba Kolosi-a ('Diyi) = Colossians

'Ba Tesalonika-a ('Diyi) 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Thessalonians

Timoteo 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Timothy

Tito = Titus

Filemoni = Philemon

'Ba Ebraniani ('Diyi) = Hebrews

Hamesi (also Yakobo, Yamisi) = James

Petero 1ri azini 2ri = 1st and 2nd Peter

Yohana 1ri, 2ri azini 3ri = 1st, 2nd and 3rd John

Yuda = Jude

E'yo Eceza = Revelation

AZITA MUNGUNI MUDRI 'DIYI [THE 10 COMMANDMENTS], Excerpts from Exodus 20:3-17 in Biblia [The Bible in Lugbara] by the Bible Society of Uganda [and The New English Bible]:

1. Mi ma ovu mungu azini be ku, kiri MA-i [You shall have no other gods before ME]

2. Mi ede mi dri wura inzile inziri ku, kani wura i-sipi afa 'bua ururi berile, kani afa vaa nyakua, kani afa yi nyaku etiari ma aliari-i ti; mi osi mi kumuti yi drilia ku, mi nga azi yini ku; a'disiku MA YEHOVA MUNGU miniri, MA MUNGU a'yaruri, MA atapi ma e'yo onzi ofe yi ma anzi ma rua-a 'ba MA ngupi onzi 'diyi dri kpere a'bianzi nari kani suri vu, te MA asi ndriza ece 'ba MA lepi azita mani ma ta mbapi 'diyi dri kpere cazu alifu alifu [You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your GOD am a jealous GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate ME, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love ME and keep MY commandments]

3. Mi co YEHOVA MUNGU mini MA ru toko toko ku; a'disiku YEHOVA ngani 'ba ERI ru copi toko tokori ku pirini e'yo kokoru ku [You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes HIS name in vain]

4. Mi ega o'du sabatoni ma e'yo, tani mbazu alaru. Mi ma nga azi mini o'du azia, mi ma 'ye azi mini dria; te o'du aziriri ovu sabato YEHOVA MUNGU miniri dri; o'du nderisi mi ma nga azi aluni ku, mi-i, mi mvi pie, mi zi pie, ati'bo mini agupiruri pie, ati'bo mini zamvaruri pie, anyapa mini pie, ani'bo ovupi aku miniari pie dria; a'disiku o'du aziasi YEHOVA 'ba ndra 'bu pi nyaku be, miri pi afa alenia 'diyi be dria, te o'du aziririsi YEHOVA li ndra avani; e'yo 'disi YEHOVA 'ba ndra asi ndriza o'du sabatoniri ma dria, ERI 'ba eri alaru [Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your GOD; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it]

5. Mi inzi mi ati pi mi andri be, ewu mini ma ovu ani izu angu YEHOVA MUNGU minirini fele mi driri ma alia [Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your GOD gives you]

6. Mi 'di 'ba ku [You shall not kill]

7. Mi 'ba ali ku [You shall not commit adultery]

8. Mi ogu afa ku [You shall not steal]

9. Mi eza 'ba azini ma ru inzosi ku [You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour]

10. Mi 'ba li 'ba azini ma josi ku; mi 'ba li 'ba azini ma okusi ku, ati'bo erini agupiruri pie, ati'bo erini zamvaruri pie, ti erini pie, akanya erini pie, kani afa ngoni 'ba azinini ovuzu yi be 'diyi ti [You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour's]!

Lugbara Anthem (Approved by Lugbara Kari from a competition won by Mercy Deogratious Ajedra and launched on Wednesday 6th October 2021 in Mvara, Arua):

1. Ama Lugbara ru, ama 'ba aluni [We are Lugbara, we are one people]

Afa azi maco ama esele ku [Nothing should divide us]

Leta asianzu be ama eselea [Love and peace among us]

Ama 'ba aleru, e'yo ada lepi ni [We are loving people, who love the truth].

2. Ama a'bi 'ba ama, ovuzu suru nduni [Our ancestry has made us, to be a different tribe]

Wudrikurua 'di eyi ma eselea dria [Among all these in the world].

Suru drile, opi, Agofe amani [Our clanheads, chiefs, Agofe],

Lugbara Kari eci ama tualu [Lugbara Kari unites us].

3. ADROU fe amani lonyi capini 'bo [GOD has given us enough wealth already]:

Nyaku, pati, yi, anyapa, oli be [Land, trees, water, animals, with air]

Ama eciti tualu, angu amani ezozu [Let us unite, to develop our place],

Ama nga paso okporu Lugbara ru [We will stand strong as Lugbara]!

Wura [Colours in Lugbara]:

eka = red/ crimson/ scarlet

orenji/ orenzi = orange

yelo = yellow

grini = green

blu = blue/ indigo/ cyan/ aqua/ sky blue

pinki = pink/ magenta/ hotpink/ fuchsia

papo = purple/ violet

ini (inikini) = black (darkish)

inibiricici (inicici) = very dark

imve = white

imve silili, whilili = very white, pure white

enisi-emvesi, korikori = black and white

maruni = maroon

horohoro, perepere, walalaru = light

foro(foro), foroto = grey, greyish (England or UK English), gray, grayish (American English)

okaza, okazaru, okalamgba, wara wara (walala), okata, oka = brown (brown skinned), becoming brownish, become brownish with dirt

The Verb "Be":

I am = Ma

You (singular) are = Mi

He/ She/ It is = Eri

We are = Ama

You (plural) are = Emi

They are = (E)yi

(Past tense for I and we is expressed by starting a sentence with a- before the verb [though pronounced differently] or ending for all with (ta and) ra = (then and) affirmative eg Amu (ta) ra! = I/ We went then! or 'bo = already eg Amu 'bo! = I/ We have gone already! Present tense for sb or sth is shown by following the subject with ni = is eg Yuganda ni onyiru! = Uganda is good! Future tense is shown by nga = will eg Eri nga gu. = S/he will laugh.)

 

Lugbara Relationships [The Clan]:

Grandfather (a'bi)

Grandmother (dede, e'di, di, dapi)

Grandmother's clan (a'bipi[ka])

Grandson, brother's son (mvia)

Granddaughter, brother's daughter (zia)

Parent[s] (ti pi[ka], 'ba matiba)

Father (ati, ata, atapi, baba, dadi, papa)

Mother (andri, andre, ayia, mama, mami)

Step-mother (andria, ayia ogu, andrapuru)

Husband (agupi, ago, culu)

Wife (oku)

Co-wife (oku pi, ai azi - because they can lend salt to each other)

Groom (izio [izigo in Aringa], mugole)

Bride (amuro, arusu, mugole)

Fiance ('ba lepi mi jepiri)

Fiancee ('ba mini le jeri)

Boyfriend (agiago)

Girlfriend (ezo)

Friend (agi, agyi, agoyi, alipi)

Family (ori'ba, aku)

Child (mva)

Children (anzi)

Son, boy (mvi, agupiamva)

Daughter, girl (zi, zamva)

Illegitimate child (ali mva)

Brother[s] (adri, adripi[ka], adripisi)

Sister[s] (amvi, amvipi[ka], amvupisi)

Siblings (tipika anzi azi)

Brotherliness (adrizi, arizi)

Uncle[s] (paternal - atapiru[ka], atapuru[ka], atipiru, ata ogu, adroyi[ka]; maternal - adro[pi])

Aunt[s] (paternal - awupi/ owupi, a'wi, a'wizi, waco; maternal - andrapi[ka], andrapuru, andripiru[ka])

Maternal uncle's wife (o'di, o'da)

Cousin (atapurumva)

Cousin brother[s] (adri, [atapuruka (agupi)anzi])

Cousin sister[s] (amvi, [atapuruka ezopi/ ezoanzi])

Nephew[s], sister's son (adro mva [adro (agupi)anzi])

Niece[s], sister's daughter (adro eza, ezapi, za, zapi [adro ezoanzi])

In-laws (otupi)

Father-in-law (anya)

Mother-in-law (idri, edra, idra, idrapi)

Brother-in-law (otuo, oti), to wife (onyizi)

Sister-in-law (onyere, ayipi)

Relatives ('ba pi)

Kin and kith (ori'ba azini agi or agyi)

Neighbour (jo ejele, jirani)

O'du Wiki Ni [Days of the Week]:

A day is called o'du in Lugbara; 1 week is wiki alu, yumala alu, yumula alu, sabatu alu, sabiti alu or yinga [Lingala for week] alu

1. Sunday (Sande, Sabiti, Sabatu, Sabatoni [Greek First Day of the Week]; O'du Engata YESU niri [JESUS Resurrection Day]; O'du Sabatuniri ma vutia [Day after Sabbath]; Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1 and 19)

2. Monday (O'du alu, Wiki ma o'du alu, Mande)

3. Tuesday (O'du iri)

4. Wednesday/ Midweek (O'du na/ Wikiagaa)

5. Thursday (O'du su)

6. Friday (O'du towi, O'du Otuzuri [Preparation Day]; Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:31; Koran 62:9 Al-Jumu’a [The Assembly Prayer])

7. Saturday (O'du azia; Yudani ma O'du Sabatuni; Sabato; Sabatu [Jewish Shabbat/ Seventh Day Adventist Sabbath]; Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1, Luke 23:54 and 56; John 19:31)

Kalenda [Calendar]:

The simplest way to refer to months or moons [mba in Lugbara] is to use numbers, for example January is Mba alu, February is Mba iri not to be confused with July [Eri which is Mba aziri], May is Mba towi and so on. But below is the other latinized (and seasonal) way of mentioning them. The coming of each month used to help and still helps the Lugbara people to prepare what to plant in their gardens. This was and is done according to the months or seasons:

1. Januari (Oco Ko Pa Hwio, Oco 'Dupa Sere)

This is a term describing how "dogs which are seen running around lift up one of their front legs" due to the sweltering heat from the hot ground or soil. It is a period of no rain.

2. Feburuli (Kuluni)

Kulu is a locust grasshopper (but not Ise). It is a time of seeing young lads moving around with long sticks/ canes whose ends are strapped with sticky saps (from Laru tree) to trap/ catch the grasshoppers. In short, it is a time for catching grasshoppers. There is still no rain at this time. Intentional grass burning to prepare fields ready for tilling is rampant during this period. Sometimes grasses catch fire by themselves due to the intense sweltering heat.

3. Marici (Zengulu or Ndukulu)

This is when the sound of a distant thunder is heard. The start of the rainy season is approaching. 

4. Aprili (Ayi Ti)

This is the start of the wet season. Literally translates into "The mouth of the wet spring season" or the beginning of the spring season with light rains still punctuated with sunny days. Groundnuts are planted in specially prepared gardens.

5. Mayi (Ayi Eti)

Also translates as "the back of the spring season" or the end of the spring season. It is a period when rains would halt temporarily and the hot sunny days return but not like the one in Oco ko pa hwio.

6. Juni (Emveki)

The term literally means "Push On". It is a season of mild hunger and women get unripe millet (planted during Ayi Ti) from the gardens for making millet flour for porridge or for baking millet bread called "Anya Enya".

7. Julayi (Eri)

The term Eri? or Iri means "After effects" of something. In this month, the after effects of the mild hunger during "Emveki" [June] are still present. The light rain during this period also encourages the farmers to plant beans.

8. Agoslo/ Agusito (Iripaku)

This is a term which mockingly looks back at the period of the mild hunger during the previous two months. It merely means "Hunger cannot retain its foothold forever". This is a time when the millet is ready and some sorghum interplanted with millet has almost matured for harvest. Pangs of hunger are disappearing. Here, groundnuts are harvested.

9. Sebitemba (Lokopere)

A season of eating raw quashed beans. Lokopere (or Loperete) is a traditional Lugbara dish made from quashed beans. Others call it Anguduru. At the start of this month, simsim is planted.

10. Okitoba (Abibi)

A period of delight when food is plenty. "Abibi" in colloquial Lugbarati merely means "Merry making". Drunkards are heard ululating here and there because millet, sorghum or corn brews are plenty. When they reach home, food is there waiting for them. 

11. Novemba (Waa)

This means a circle or a period. The period of ups and downs is almost over. Remember, colloquial Lugbarati uses a lot of paradoxes. Food is still in plenty and local brews are consumed as much as possible as if there is no tomorrow.

12. Desemba (Anyu Ti)

Sometimes, it is referred to as "Anyu Fi (E)kuma". Literally, they are rejoicing about the ripe simsim in the gardens which are ready for harvest, that is "Bye bye to the tiny little simsim chaff" which they used to collect for making paste.

(NOTE: The concept of Enguli [a local potent cassava gin] was foreign to the Lugbara people; introduced by the Alur settlers. Others these days call it Camiya, Ngolito, Ola yi, Tapua, etc. The month descriptions are based on the upland Lugbarati dialect of Ayivu Muni, spoken southeast of Arua City)

Lugbara Phrasebook:

I do not understand you. = A va mi ku.

Speak slowly (slowly)! = Inze i'yere (i'yere)!

Help me! = Iko ma aza!

How are you? = Ngoni?

OK (I'm fine)! = Muke (Ma muke)!

How is home? = Aku ngoni?

Home is good! = Aku onyiru!

What is your name? = Mi ru a'di-i?

My name is Ludi! = Ma ru Ludi!

I'm a businesswoman. = Ma biasara azi nga.

I'm 40 years old! = Ma eli 40!

I'm Jaku. = Ma Jaku-i.

I'm a doctor at my clinic. = Ma dakitari ni ma kliniki-a.

I stay in Oluko. = Ma aa Oluko-a.

I'm Muslim! = Ma Silamu ni!

I'm a Christian! = Ma Kristiani ni!

I originate from Bunyoro. = Ma efu Bunyoro-a.

What do you sell? = Mi a'du ozi?

I sell food and pots. = Ma nyaka ozi azini imvu.

What time is it? = Saa si? (Other ways to ask for the daytime hour: Etu aga ngopi ya [How far has the sun gone]/ Etu atu ngopi ya [How far has the sun ascended]/ Etu ca ngopi ya [Which position has the sun reached]/ Etu ca si ya [How far has the sun arrived]?)

Exactly 4 O'clock! = Saa mudri (10) 'dere! [Time is told as the reverse number from the hour hand like in Luganda, so 1 O'clock is saa aziri (7); 2 O'clock is saa aro (8) and so forth]

4pm! = Etu 10! [that is 4 during the day, before the sun sets]

Give me one! = Ife mani alu!

This one is beautiful! = 'Di ndri ra!

How much is it? = Aje ni si?

2,000 UGX! = Silingi alifu iri!

The price has reduced! = Aje 'ba isi ra!

Give me a good one! = Ife mani ala ni!

Where are you going? = Mi mu ngoa?

I'm going to Pajulu. = Ma mu Pajulu-a.

What do you like about Arua? = Afa mini apizu Arua si a'duni?

Peace and friends! = Asianzu azini agi ki!

I want to go to Congo. = A le mu Kongo-a.

I love my job! = A le ma azi ra!

GOD be with you! = MUNGU ma aa mi be!

I will see you again! = Ma nga mi ne dika!

Peace be still! = Ido mi ciri!

Let good wind/ air blow on you! = Oli alari ma vu mi rua! 



E'yo O'beza [Lugbara Proverbs]:

Abiri ma eli (ma) si ci ku = Hunger does not kill overnight...

Aco si adreni aza oye ku [Using a hoe is not madness for nothing] = Digging is valuable...

Afa ada 'ba nzeni woro ku [Something true is not spoken in full]...

Agu gadi gadi mipiri vu (aku-a) 'ba afa aipiriki yo [Translated to Luganda: Asindika ekigali taba na balebesi; In a cartwheel pusher's home there are no beggars]... 

Agupi econi ica oku ku; oku econi eca agupi ku [A man cannot become a woman; a woman cannot become a man]...

Agupi ni aku ma ediafe [A man is the pillar of a home]...

Ai azi ni a'ya ei [A co-wife is the owner of jealousy] = Jealousy among co-wives is so visible and frequent that it is regarded a characteristic...

Ai azi pi andre okaru [The tongue of co-wives is bitter] = Co-wives tend to use sour, offensive word among themselves...

Ai azi ti ci, agalio ti ci dri ku [Co-wives are talkative, weaverbirds are not talkative] = The incessant twittering of weaverbirds vanishes when compared to the talking of co-wives...

Ai azi ti mbili [The lips of co-wives are pointed] = The language of co-wives, particularly among themselves, is often caustic...

Ajobe odru fu ni [Ajobe was killed by a buffalo. Ajobe, an individual was warned about something but did not listen, so a buffalo killed him] = Listen to the correction you are given!

Aku ni anzi agupi si [A home is heavy because of a man or husband] = People tend to show little consideration for a home without a husband, but his presence guarantees respect for everybody in it...

Ali ndandari abe ose [Looking for problems is a big stick] = The one who creates problems ends up being beaten...

Amvu ambori 'ba 'ya oyasi [A big farm is dug with payment]...

Andri azini yo/ Ayia ma ndu yo [There is no other mother] = You can only be conceived by one mother...

Angu 'buari yuku ni [The elevated place is for kites] = A warning to those wanting to elevate themselves to high positions...

Anya sa-i ceni ku [Millet does not sow itself]...

Anyu ni mbepi ma ti du [A bee stings the licker's mouth]...

Aparaka ma tibi agobi [The sauce (food) for carelessness is pumpkin leaves] = Frivolity is bad...

Aria driori ni o'bu alari nya (ni) [The early bird (is the one that) eats the good worm]...

Aria gaa ti anya ose [A small bird dropped big millet faeces] = Do not underrate people...

Aria o'be jo tizo coti ku [Birds do not all of a sudden build a nest to lay their eggs in it]...

Au fe mva ni ku [A chicken does not give to its young]...

Awoko so ti andre [Anger pierced the cow's tongue]...

Ayia nduri ozuku fi ni! [A stepmother/ Another mother is (like) a porcupine's intestines] = Stepmothers are (stereotypically) bitter and unpleasant...

Ayiko ni ondi ma mva [Happiness is sweat's child]...

'Ba alu pamvu siria/ lurua ru [One person's footprint (track) is narrow]...

'Ba azaza ma afa anyo ni [A mad person's wealth is brokenness]...

'Ba azi alupi anyu le ni yo [There is noone as sweet as honey]...

'Ba dra azo ama dra 'ba ruari ma azo si [People understand the pain of (deadly) sickness by experiencing it on their body)... 

'Ba edeni o'buka mva alia risi ku (also Tanzanian Proverb: Do not make the dress before the child is born) = Do not prepare a baby carrier before a baby is born...

'Ba ma nda e'yo ku [Do not look for issues/ problems]...

'Ba 'ya amvu diti (azini) de coti ku [People do not dig a field and finish it at once] = Proper work takes time and foresight to complete...

'Ba yori ni, 'ba je oku ku [For someone absent, people do not buy a a wife]...

Drileba aga ondua [Blessing is better than intellect]...

Drinzasi okuku dra jorovu-a [Because of shyness, the tortoise died in its shell]...

E ka ne iriti ki okuria, mi aa ngonde ozo yi kozu [When you see clouds gathering, prepare to catch rainwater]...

E ka ndri ki ofi drio ku, iki iriaga(ga)/ obu ci [If you don't lead the goats to their shelter early, they will eat worms (on the grass they chew at dusk)]...  

E ka te ise osiza ma nga mi ti-a, mi te sawa izu tu [If you wait for roasted grasshoppers to fly into your mouth, then you wait a very long time]...

E'bi ma dri ka e'do ma 'bo, sobi ni nga vini ma ra [When the head of a fish starts rotting, the tail will also rot eventually] = One bad thing can cause an avalanche of disaster...

E'bu ako abiri ma ayiko ni [The absence of the hoe is the happiness of hunger]...

E'yere e'yere, okuku mu re [Slowly slowly, the tortoise went far]...

E'yere nya ni [Slow(ness)/ Patience is the one who ate]...

E'yo amale ku ri si, ozo ma si fu kalaa [For not having corrected them, the teeth of the warthog have grown out sideway] = Bad inclinations not corrected on time will not be  remedied in future...

E'yo erikurisi ewa ma si zo ra [Because of not listening, the elephant's trunk grew]...

Ediako ma efi ni 'de ediako ma eti-a [The seeds of the ediako tree fell at its bottom] = Like parent, like child/ Like father, like son/ Like mother, like daughter...

Embeleke ka i-agi ma eti ne, eri gu si be imve [When a chimpanze sees its friend's (pink-red) behind, it laughs with white teeth] = Mock nobody because you also have fails behind you...

Etu ka mi le ra, mi ora 'bi'bio ki si a'dusi [If the sun loves you, why worry about the stars]...

E'yo ni imu abiri le, iere (e'yere), erimiteria [A problem comes like hunger, slowly, it is waiting for you]...

E'yo ni mi te angu ka owu 'bo [Issues are waiting for you when the day breaks]   

Icikili alu alu ni i-ma oti ma avu 'du ni [Every small black ant carries its brother-in-law's carcass]...

Imvu iniri ni mucele a'di imve [The black pot cooks rice white]...

Ini bi aria drisi [The darkness caught the bird with a hand] = Anything can happen at night...

Isakua luni i-eti ceni ku [The isaku sieve does not create holes in its bottom by itself]...

Izoanzi angu vo re [Girls slash very far] = Girls are like slashers and can go anywhere. If girls are found and married, they don't stay; they are taken away but prepare a path for their relatives to go to a new place...

Kaka ni ka 'ba sikokori ni (/vu) indi [Maize ripens for people without teeth too] = Good things also happen to people who least need them...

Kulu ago eri ngopi ya [How big is a male grasshopper]? = Never underestimate sb who is small in body size for you do not know their responsibilities nor the burdens they carry

Kuni 'ba funi dri apinaka mva be = It is only young hedgehogs that you cannot meet; we will meet somewhere in future...?

Ma eco mbu ra, te ma eco nga ku [I can jump, but I cannot fly]...

Mbusua ma mva ka dra, ti owu ku [When a cat's offspring dies, a cow does not cry]...

Mi api afa were MUNGU ni fe miniri si [Appreciate the small thing GOD has given you]...

Mi o'buka baka nzu ma ni [Your babycover strap left marks on me (my skin)] 

Mi owu lesu i-adapi'bo risi ku [Do not cry over spilt milk] = You cannot change the past by crying or complaining...

Mundu ni 'ba ere ere [The Whiteman scatters people] = Formal courts split people...

Mva alia ri ni, 'ba edeni/ jeni o'buka ku [For baby in the womb, a babycover is not made/ bought] = Never count your eggs before they hatch...

O'bi'bia si, etoo jo ve ra [Because of copying, the hare's house burnt] = Be yourself...

Oce mini imbaleri ni mi ci ni [The dog you teach is the one that will bite you] = It is your Best Friend who will betray you...

Oci ni mi so raka, mi le silipa je ndo [A thorn first pricks you, then you desire to buy slippers]...

Ociki za nduari ‘ba inze si si [The thorn in the meat is removed with teeth]...

Oco dri iza ndre, eri nzu, eri mundrokole ga [When a dog sees meat, it runs, it refuses mundrokole greens]...

Oco ini ri atuluku ma dria [A black  is sitted at the fireplace] = No dinner or food has been (nor will be) cooked this evening...

Oco o'du-a ri ni, 'ba 'ba enya ku [For the sleeping dog, food is not placed]...  

Odi'dia nya puro ebi [Newness ate raw grasshoppers] = A newcomer can be made to do anything...

Odru fu Anira ni te/ Odru fu An(dr)era ni te [A buffalo killed Anira (who thought he knew it all)/ An(dr)era (who thought she had seen it all)] = Listen to advice...

Odru vile ri ma ndua ari wiri [The last buffalo will bleed or suffer; it will be speared to death] = Lesson here is that we should do things with people, don’t be alone...

Odrukudru alu ini yi mile woro [One frog dirtened all the water]...

Otuo ni adri azi [A brother-in-law is another brother]...

Ovaa go vile, Ovaa go dri dra dri [The Waterbuck came back, it returned to its death] = If you find something bad somewhere, don't go back because you might meet your death there...

Ozo angiri ma vutia, gari ci [After a flood (heavy rains), there is a rainbow]...

Pati amburi (ambori) 'ba omveni oce ni ku [A big tree is not called a forest]...

Pati ifi i-'deni re ku [The seed of a tree doesn't fall very far] = A parent's behaviour can be reflected in his or her children...

Si imve ma etia ari eka ci [Behind white teeth there is red blood]...

Suru 'ba oji yi si ku [Nationality/ Tribe is not washed away with water]...

Toko andri dra 'bo [The mother of free gifts is dead] = Nothing is free...

'Yapikuri nya ku [One who does not dig does not eat]...

Yuku dezari ni vini au mva bi ra [An old kite can also catch a young chicken] = A mad person can also do something sensible...

Yuku ni oku 'du [The kite takes the woman]...

More Lugbara Proverbs:

Don't sing while eating at the table, you may choke...

Don't sit in the road or else your mother will die...

Don't sit on the atuluku [fireplace] or else you will remain short (Sometimes, it may be hot and burn you)...

Don't wear the itisi [coiled cloth or other material on which a pot is put while being carried on the head] around your foot or hand. In other words, don't play with it so that it doesn't get spoilt or stuck on your hand...

He who has a hairy bottom should not jump over fire...

If you escort a visitor for a long distance from your home, then s/he may take long to re-visit you...

Ombadra wanted to go to war first before eating his meat, but died fighting...

The Heaviest Thing you can carry is a grudge...

The pot breaks at the door...

When you eat meat or drink milk, don't let them remain around your mouth so that they don't smell (Clean yourself)...

In the Book Lugbara Proverbs, Fr. A. T. Dalfovo collects some nine hundred (900) Proverbs of the Lugbara People of northwestern Uganda. Dalfovo collected 22 Proverbs having a personal Name as their Subject like Ajia, Badigo, Cuku, Guzu, Ngungu, Ombadra, Yangi, etc. Below are a few others I copied in the order I found them in his Book prefaced by John Middleton (Yale University):

The worth of a cattle-pen ensues from the cattle = The worth of a home is given by its people...

The verandah floor is clean because of people moving to and fro and sweeping it clean with their feet...

Man is the ediafe [pole] of the house...

Fear is the dress of women...

A girl should creep to be like the erindi grass (which spreads over the ground) = A woman should proliferate and spread by her many offsprings...

The kite does not take the orphan = No hope for sudden change in the condition of an orphan...

What is looked for in vain is a brother = Having a real brother guarantees the solution to any problem...

The shea butter nuts fall under the shea butter tree = A person naturally falls in with his relations...

Different maternal aunts is something bad = Because of the influence and esteem they enjoy, maternal aunts can be a potential source of division...

People come to know of things at the place of their maternal uncles...

The bellow of cattle is the cry of women...

The cattle-pen near the house means people...

The poor man sleeps alone in the house...

A single one looks with the eyes...

The colour of a visitor is shyness...

The grass on his grave grows tall = There is no relative to take care of foreigners...

There is no wall without supporting poles...

Beer does not ferment by itself...

The leader of the song does not sing...

The one who does not dig does not eat...

No hoe, no food...

The hoe does not dig by itself...

An elephant begets an elephant...

One does not support a person because of his beautiful hairs = Observation distinguishes between appearance and reality...

The big termitehill has nothing inside (No termites may be found inside an impressive termitehill)...

Beneath a potato heap, there is nothing (No potatoes may be found under a potato heap covered with flourishing leaves)...

You do not allow yourself to be eaten because of a he-goat = A male goat sometimes looks fierce and frightening but can be harmless...

It is the machete that is used on one side...

Millet chaff generates millet...

The old hoe is ever a friend...

The residue of beer can feed the chickens = One learns where true value lies...

Man eats from the soil and returns to the soil; death is blind; death knows no friend...

Co-wives are talkative, weaver-birds are not talkative...

The unsettled one is the gossipy trickster...

Push the tongue into your nose...

The cow that bellows much has no milk...

No handle, no food...

Meat burst an elder...

Death has one leg...

The horns of ignorance are large...

Ignorance killed his relative...

The goat eats at the place it has been tethered in = A person should naturally exploit the position he occupies and draw from it the means to satisfy his basic needs...

The black ant took the corpse of the brother-in-law...

An elder can engage another elder to do something...

A wall does not deteriorate by itself...

The soil does not swell up by itself...

The sieve does not perforate by itself...

The pot does not fetch water by itself...

No walls without poles...

Water does not return...

No beauty in pride...

Covetousness suits dogs...

Man dies once...

Afterwards does not exist...

The warbling of birds is varied...

Each cock has its crest...

Nobody is as sweet as honey...

All have their stomach content...

A monkey laughs at the tail of another monkey (thinking it has no funny tail)...

The booklet entitled "The Hidden Wisdom of Lugbara-Aringa" features 116 Proverbs. A copy used to cost 10,000 UGX from Rasul Bombasa (+256-779-496927). Furthermore, 100.9 FM Voice Of Life and Radio Pacis in Arua broadcast programs where children share common as well as very rare riddles plus proverbs, so enlightening...

Riddles (from "Lugbara Perception of Time" by Albert Titus Dalfovo): 

Do you know the name of the fat rat in the house finishing our groundnuts? The answer is the name of the boy who has stolen some food. 

Another riddle refers to a mushroom and asks for its name, which is that of some fearful boy. 

Another may ask for the name of a cat unable to catch rats or of a dog unable to chase anything, the name being that of a lazy boy. 

(The objective of riddles is ultimately to shape the future conduct of those whom the riddle is addressed to, generally boys and girls)

 

O'du Peza/ Nyo [Lugbara Idioms]:

Adriko pi Matua be eza pi si be [Adriko and Matua are like meat and teeth, always together] = They are in good terms and like each other.

Angu ri ti pi omvu be [The place sits or is located like the mouth and nose] = The place is near.

'Ba 'di, emi andru ewa za a'di [You people, today are you cooking elephant meat] = Why is it taking long to cook, is it an elephant? (Terego)

Deza baki Terego-a [There are many old people in Terego] = Drunkards look like old people.

E dro mi pamvu [Chase your footprints] = Evaluate yourself!

E ka nga de mabe ku ni [You will finish with me, not so] = Warning!

Emi we emi yofe si [Sweep yourselves with a broom] = Come in huge numbers!

E'yo ma ndri a'bua le [Things should be nice like bananas]...

E'yo mbe ma tibi ('bo) [An issue has (already) licked my sauce] = I have a problem.

Eza nya maaku maaku [Eating a lot of meat like potatoes]...

Mi dra ma adri o'du [Your death should be like sleep]...

Mile iga [Dig an eye] = Interest sb.

Onya su-i aci-a ceni [The white ant put itself in the fire by itself] = Deliberately look for trouble.

Si dri 'de ku, ari ni ra ni [If teeth do not fall, then blood will flow]...

Tu burusu sia [Climbed onto a pigeon-pea tree] = Used vulgarity and obscene insults.

 

West Nile Totems [Symbols or Emblems]:

Alur = O'du [Leopard]

Aringa = Ojuruko [Termite]

Ayivu = Pala bi [Jute]/ Ti [Cow]

Koboko = Yekeye [Red safari ant]

Lugbara Tribe = O'du/ Odhu [Leopard]

Logiri (Vurra) = Ago [Pumpkin]/ Oboloko [Fox]

Madi Adjumani (East Moyo) = Au ago [White cock, Rooster]

Madi Moyo = Au logo

Madi Okollo = Ndri [Goat]/ Aswa (Translated to Luganda: Enswa) [White ants mixed in paste like kumura]

Maracha = Kulu, Ise [Locust (Swarming grasshopper), Common Grasshopper known as Nsenene]

Terego = Odro (like Anabia, Omba omba) [Rat]

Vurra = Oboloko [Fox]/ Ago [Pumpkin]

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"(I')m conducting a research study on the vocabulary comparison between Teregoti and Ayivuti. My challenge is that... I didn't grow up in the community that could enable me learn my language. And so I got your contact from some PDF on Google while I was searching for history about the Lugbara... I appreciate your work so much..." - Agnes Ceniru, pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in English and Literature (Saturday 4th October 2025)

"That's good work, brother, you have done it for us all..." - Mildred Maneno, maternal cousin (Tuesday 7th October 2025)

Lugbara Supermobile:

Machines (AI or Artificial Intelligence) can be programmed to use Lugbara. Engineers, Designers as well as Technology Students in Ugandan Schools have always tinkered with this Possibility. Machines can also teach themselves Lugbara through Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) or Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). Some great advancements towards this goal include the Lugbara Gboard (Next letter-prediction or automatic spelling-correction) in Android phones plus mobile apps in Lugbarati; whoa! Below are translated Commands you might see in the mega, super-smart Videophones of the future [Vidiosimu/ Supamobailu] or at a GSMA Mobile World Congress:

On [Idri]

Power [Aci]

Menu, Selection or Options [Peta/ Peza/ Pezu]

Volume [Omgbo]

Play [Avi]

Home [Aku]

Save [Mba tani]

Back [Vile]

Forward [Drile]

Select or Choose [Pe]

OK [MUKE]

Call or Dial [Gba]

1 Missed Call(s) [Gbata icezaru 1 (Alu)]

Receive [Ai]

Reject [Ga]

Ringtones [Awu]

Radio [Redio]

Volume [Omgbo]

Music [Ongo]

Recorder [Rekoda]

Sound(s) [O'duko]

Phonebook [Simubuku]

Sim 2 [Simo 2 (Iri)]

Sim Card [Simokadi]

Settings [Otita]

Manage [Oce]

Edit [Otu]

Changes saved [Ojaza mbarura]

New Contact [Ru O'di]

Cancel or Cut [Li]

Erase [Ini]

Delete or Remove [Wi]

Scan [Amvi]

Search [Nda]

Exit [Fu]

Message [Waraga]

Open [Nzi]

Send or Forward [Edri]

Press [Ikpa]

Attach [Ipa]

Inbox [Sanduku-a]

Sent [Edri 'bo]

Calendar [Mba o'du]

Time/ Clock [Sa(w)a]

Date [O'du]

Calculator [Kalikuleta]

Camera [Kamera]

Images, Pictures or Photos [E'da/ I'da]

Video [Vidio]

Pause [So pa/ Tu pa]

Fast Forward [Avi drile mbele]

Rewind/ Playback [Avi vile]

Stop [Atri]

Torch [Toci]

App(lication) [Apu]

Play Store [Avi Stowa]

Alarm [Lulu]

Storage Full [Ero Tre]

Facebook [Fesibuku]

WhatsApp [WatsApu]

Bluetooth [Si-blu]

Internet [Indaneti]

Enter [Fi]

Go [Mu]

Connecting [Iciria]

Page cannot open [Peji nzi-i ku]

Saved Pages [Peji tambari]

Bookmark [Bukualo]

History [E'yo agapi'bo/ Histori/ Adi]

Memory Card [Memori Kadi]

Format [Fomati]

Clean/ Wash [Nyi/ Oji]

Repair [Ede]

Chat [Adisi]

Games [Avita]

More [Azini]

Off [Anyu]

LOST IN TRANSLATION (like Leta SI [Synthetic Imagination]):

This Lugbara Dictionary research documentation is inspired by (and dedicated to) Cynthia Letasi, aka Rejoice (The Beauty-full One and Green Riding Hood born on Thursday 17th August 1995; now Mrs. Mungufeni) who changed my worldview like a Kumari in the Orient or Divine Feminine between 2001-6; made me feel like Bob Harris in Arua (Not Japan). To be honest, she was my first true superhigh crush within Arua (West Nile) though I never told her my exact reality for years (just tried to show it through countless, unapologetic actions until she boldly confessed something I will treasure until infinity) plus resembles Tonto Dikeh (Nigerian), Sheebah Karungi and Betty Mpologoma as well as Spice Diana who automatically became my all-time favourites. Queenie, one of the lead vocalists in Miracle Cathedral Rubaga's Proclaim Music choir also has that Cynthia aura plus Pretty Banks, Sheila Gashumba, etc. Even though I reconnected with Xnthi via Facebook at the turn of the 2010s, I did not see her again until Tuesday 12th February 2019 on the hyper-straight Arua Avenue at the Ediofe Road Junction walking southwards with a darkskinned female friend, three days after dreaming about her. I smiled like the sun was shining on me in the afternoon before rush hour; it was the same day Onduparaka drew 0-0 with URA FC. Obsession is not a crime, just harness it like human solar electricity. Rejection or Disconnection is Redirection; too much love will heal you. Love is indestructible and the Greatest Thing: I admired Cynthia's supadupa fluency at a very tender age of 6-11 and felt inspired to polish my own linguistics by reading Lugbara afresh since I learnt my mother tongue in Busoga (Birth to 11 years) and Buganda only by listening to Lugbara people talk. Even though I spoke and understood it, I couldn't transcribe Lugbara well like English but when I met our Mt. Wati Road (Arua) neighbour's adorable brownskinned daughter, I was motivated to re-study this vernacular from northwestern Uganda in black and white (using music lyrics, Biblia, other literature, then a Fountain Publishers 2009 dictionary compiled by Willy Ngaka, Edward O'du'bua and Paul Iga Ongua [bought for a Twenty10 gig from Sarah Ojirot at Uganda Deaf Women's Organisation], etc). Consequently, I would perhaps grasp Lugbara the way ShaoLan Hsueh created Chineasy, then fabricate my own Synthetic Artificial Lugbara Technology (SALT), Informative Synthetic Encoder (ISE) and Ojapi Converter. Language has to be preserved through documentation and transmitted to anyone connected or interested because cultural heritage represents a collective identity of values, diversity, traditions and assets passed around from generation to generation eg my parents (James + Elizabeth Dramani) to me, though my mother departed in Twenty22 (during Volume 7). Some relatives and natives would laugh at my pronunciations or choice of words but it didn't phase me. I've never been ashamed to be called Omulugwara even if it is a byword for stupidity, Naked People and backwardness among some communities. Aren't we descendants of Noah, the Flood Survivor? One day, I bypassed two dudes on Acacia Avenue in KLA and heard them speak what sounded like broken Lugbara; I reasoned later that it might have been Madi language. Also, Aringa is like Lugbara Patois or Filipino. During May 2023, someone asked me why I study Lugbara yet it is not useful and I told him not to diss my mother tongue like that; garbage or waste appears worthless until it's recycled and given value: Lugbara is a multinational language spoken mainly across three colonial borders which converge at Salia Musala (about 2 hours by car northwards from Arua City). There are nine Lugbara clans in DR Congo. I strongly believe Generative AI can learn Lugbarati and make it reuseable and applicable in various fields; Deep Learning Indaba (DLI), Hugging Face, Foundation for Lugbarati Development Initiative (FLUDI) or Lugbara GPT type-of-way. Live translation of President M7's speeches by people like Fred Bada plus other arrangements like crusades, etc can also be a reference... In December 2013, the Lugbarati Language Board proposed an Orthography Guide with 45 letters (including 7 vowels and 38 consonants). Tonal Lugbara literature with its many character symbols (accents, crosses, dashes, dots, umlauts, etc) seems advanced plus crowdily complex and scares away learners, but the simpler version shared in this wordbook is legit too... Lugbara funeral songs have been replaced with church hymns... In my Allegory of Artificial Ignorance: For machines to learn Lugbara, humans (both self-motivated and paid contributors) must train them or organise datasets for AI to decode unsupervised... Artificial Dreams (or Hallucinations) can also come true like Dreamcast... My makeshift Word Interchange Technique (WIT) from 1996 was not far-fetched afterall (feeling like Michael Jordan versus Detroit Pistons)...

When I was in Senior 5 (during 2001), I told my hostelmates that one day there will be a radio device that converts words spoken on air into text like S2T (Speech-2-Text) and displayed on a screen. I was labelled "mulalu [Luganda for: mad]" but dreams are not hopeless; GOD's Time brings them to life for instance Google Assistant, Meet (In-chat captions), Apple's Siri, TranSay, Logbar ili, OpenAI's ChatGPT or Whisper, etc. Twitter (X) Spaces is also not very far from my Ongo (Ojapi Converter) vision. Zero-Shot Machine Translation tech is a model that can learn to translate words into another language without having to see any examples... Meta's Universal Speech Translator is a very ambitious AI research project that might improve language-mixing or Computer-Assisted Translation like Google Translate does... LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications) which Blake Lamoine labelled "sentient" was originally introduced as Meena in 2020. It's a conversational Large Language Model (LLM) built by Google... The Madi-Lugbara language is related to the languages of Southern Nigeria eg Yoruba, Igbo, Edo, Iduma, Igala, Igbira, Gbari and Nupe. In addition, we can include Ijo and Kalabari of the Niger Delta plus the Bariba - north of Yoruba and Aja (Ewe) spoken in Southern Dahomey (Benin), Togo and South-Eastern Ghana... Some people consider Lugbara a dialect of Madi but many do not accept this theory. In fact, a survey was conducted and it concluded that the Ogoko, Okollo and Rigbo dialects (which are considered Southern Madi) should be categorised as dialects of Lugbara. Besides, we share the same names, numbers and many words... In 2020, with support from the Hewlett Foundation, Sunbird AI commenced the African language technology project. They created a large multilingual parallel text dataset of Ugandan languages, with translations in Acholi, Ateso, Luganda, Lugbara and Runyankole... GeoPoll (Research organisation) also has datasets in Lugbara while JEHOVAH's Witnesses translate their publications into Lugbara (Available at www.jw.org)... It was very unreal to discover on Sunday 10th September 2023 while googling for "Lugbara AI" that the then 55 year old Google AI Lead Jeff Dean's mother speaks "fluent Lugbara"; she lived in West Nile when Jeffrey was 5 years old. I guess she knows that Lugbara is learnable by machines; Meta introduced its own AI on WhatsApp a few days later. I love the fact that it paraphrases websites rejected by Wikipedia. Mark Zuckerberg believes AI will make superintelligent multi-lingual connections possible for all. When you copy some of the BigAMBO [Words] in this dictionary and paste as a chat message to Meta AI, it can learn Ugandan Lugbara by storing patterns and fine-tuning itself even though it used a strange vocabulary as Lugbara in Twenty24 (probably Central or West African)...

[GODisgreat!]

AIKO (Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Organiser)