Uganda

In the Acholiland region of Northern Uganda, the native language is Acholi. Although school children learn English, Acholi is still considered their heart language. Many older people only understand Acholi. The programs aim to provide hope and counsel for those suffering the spiritual and emotional aftermath of war, in addition to supplying practical biblical instruction for those who are illiterate.

The Alur tribal language is spoken by the Alur people who live in northwestern Uganda and northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The population of Alur speakers is approximately 2.5 million. The Alur people subsist primarily from agriculture, growing millet, cassava, spinach, pumpkins, maize and sweet potatoes.

The English language did not become commonly used until the colonial period. When Uganda was colonized, English was introduced, both through missionary work and in schools. When Uganda gained independence in 1962, English was maintained as the official language since it was so widely used, and because no tribal languages are spoken by all people groups living in Uganda. Ugandan English radio programs are aired throughout the country.  

Karamajong is a Nilotic language spoken by herdsmen living in northeastern Uganda.

Kuku is a language spoken by the Kuku people mainly the in Kayunga District of Uganda. Others are found in the districts of Luweero, Nakasongola, Bombo, and Kampala, and in South Sudan. They have never heard their language on the radio. The radio has helped many to hear the Gospel for the first time, receive faith in Christ, and even moved Kuku people to translate the Bible into their own language. The program has also helped Kuku people find each other, as most are scattered around the country without knowing others of their own people group.

The Kup-Sabiny language is spoken by the Sabiny people. Most of the 230,000 Sabiny people live in Kapchorwa District, a mountainous region in Eastern Uganda. The region has fertile soil, and many of the Sabiny people make a living raising cattle and cultivating beans, wheat, corn, and potatoes. They sell their produce when they are able, but poor roads and mountainous terrain make it difficult for them to bring their produce to the market. More than 60% of the Sabiny people live in poverty.

The Luganda, or Ganda, language is a Bantu language spoken mainly by the Baganda people in the African Great Lakes region. It is one of the major languages in Uganda and is spoken by more than 10 million people.

Mbale Diocese in Eastern Uganda bordering Kenya has provided for the addition of a new broadcast in the Lumasaaba language spoken by about two million people. This typifies the long-range expansion strategy that Words of Hope Uganda is pursuing. Where applicable, these diocesan partnership include field-based program production in a widely spoken local language.

The Luo language is spoken by the Luo people, spanning from southern Sudan to southern Kenya, and into northern Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Rufumbira is spoken by the Bafumbira people in the Kisoro District of Southwestern Uganda, under the foot hills of Mount Muhavura.

The Rukiga language, also known as Kiga, is spoken by about 1.6 million people in the Rukiga District of Uganda.

The Rukonzo language (also known as Rukonjo, Olukonjo, Olukonzo, Konjo or lhukonzo) is spoken by the Konjo people of Uganda and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Runyoro language is tonal in nature, meaning that the tone of voice used often determines the level of politeness and the actual meaning of an expression. As tone ascends, the words spoken are considered to be less and less polite, which means that the majority of Runyoro speaking people talk in lower, softer voices.

The Rutooro language is spoken by the Toro people group who live in Western Uganda. Toro people typically exchange lengthy spoken greetings with each other. It is considered culturally rude to merely say “hello” in passing. The type of greeting that is appropriate in a situation varies depending on gender, age, and other variables. Toro people are also assigned nicknames, or empaako, at ceremonies held shortly after birth. The empaako is chosen by elders of the tribe and carries a specific meaning, such as “intelligent” or “caring.”