Luganda (Oluganda)

Luganda, or Ganda, is a member of the Bantu branch of Niger-Congo languages. It is spoken by about 3 million Baganda people, who live mainly in the Buganda region in southern Uganda. Luganda is also widely used elsewhere in Uganda as a second language. The name Uganda is the Swahili version of Baganda.

Luganda was first written during the second half of the 19th century. The first Luganda grammar was published in 1882, and was soon followed by other publications, many of which were written by missionaries. A number of different Luganda spelling systems were developed. A standard orthography of Luganda (Empandiika y'Oluganda Entongol) was introduced in 1947 at an All-Baganda Conference.

Luganda is used as the language of instruction in some primary schools in the Buganda region. There are also regular radio broadcasts in Luganda.

Arabic alphabet for Luganda

Arabic alphabet for Luganda

Notes

Luganda Latin alphabet

Luganda Latin alphabet

Hear how to pronounce the Luganda alphabet:

Notes

Download alphabet charts for Luganda (Excel)

Sample text in Luganda

Abantu bazaalibwa nga balina eddembe n'obuyinza ebyenkanankana, batondebwa nga balina amagezi era nga basobola okwawula ekirungi n'ekibi bwebatyo, buli omu agwana okuyisa munne nga muganda we.

Sample text in Luganda in the Arabic alphabet

Sample text in Luganda in the Arabic alphabet

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Information about Luganda pronunciation compiled by Wolfram Siegel

Sample videos in Luganda

Information about Luganda | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Information about the Luganda language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luganda_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/lug

A Primer on Speaking and Writing Luganda
http://www.buganda.com/luganda.htm

Luganda phrases
http://www.buganda.com/phrasebk.htm
https://quizlet.com/45128737/luganda-words-phrases-flash-cards/
http://files.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/audio/languagelessons/uganda/UG_Luganda_Language_Lessons.PDF
https://kabiza.com/luganda-101-simple-lugandan-phrases-for-travelers-to-uganda/
https://volunteertherealuganda.com/luganda-phrase-book/

Bantu languages

Bangi, Basaa, Bemba, Bena, Benga, Bhaca, Bukusu, Bulu, Central Teke, Chichewa, Chokwe, Chuwabu, Comorian, Digo, Duala, Eton, Ewondo, Fang, Ganda/Luganda, Gogo, Gusii, Gwere, Haya, Hehe, Herero, Ibinda, Ikizu, Ikoma, Jita, Kamba, Kiga, Kikuyu, Kimbundu, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kisi, Kongo, Konjo, Koti, Kukuya, Kunda, Kuria, Lambya, Lingala, Loma, Lozi, Luba-Katanga, Luchazi, Lunda, Luvale, Makaa, Makonde, Makhuwa, Mandekan, Maore, Masaaba, Mbukushu, Mbunda, Mende, Mongo, Mushungulu, Mwani, Nambya, Nande, Nkore, North Teke, Northern Ndebele (South Africa), Northern Ndebele (Zimbabwe), Northern Sotho, Nyamwezi, Nyakyusa, Nyemba, Nyole, Nyungwe, Nzadi, Oroko, OshiWambo, Pagibete, Punu, Ronga, Safwa, Sena, Sengele, Shona, Soga, Songe, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Sukuma, Swahili, Swati, Tanga, Tembo, Tonga, Tshiluba, Tsonga, Tswa, Tswana, Tumbuka, Umbundu, Venda, Vwanji, Xhosa, Yao, Yasa, Zigula, Zinza, Zulu

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 25.03.22

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