Lugbara Phrases

Pronunciation in Lugbara has diphthong clusters and other noteworthy phonetics including the following:
aa as in bat, for example embataa; c as in church, for example Candiru (which is also spelt Chandiru); dj as in jilt, for example odji, the ‘d’ is silent; ee as in emblem, for example Andree; gb as in bend, for example gbe, the ‘g’ is silent; i as in inn, for example di-i; oa as in oar, for example Adroa; oo as in old, for example ocoo, othertimes oo as in food, for example ‘doo; uu as in chew, for example cuu; z as in jean after n, for example onzi. Otherwise, most times remains z as in zebra, for example Ozu and when the first letter of a word. With this knowledge, you will be able to speak the phrases below.

Phrases Mi ifu ngoni? (How did you wake up?/ Good morning!); Ngoni? (How are you?); [Ma] Muke! ([I’m] Fine); Ma azoru! (I’m sick!); Abiri ni ma fufu! (Hunger is killing me!/ I’m hungry!); Sawa si? (What time is it?); Sawa alu o’bitisi. (7 AM in the morning) [To tell time, you mention the number on the opposite side of the clock. Sawa iri is 8 O’clock, Sawa na is 9 O’clock, etc]; Sawa mudri drini alu ondresi (5 PM in the evening); Mi efi! (Come in!); Ife mani ‘yi! (Give me water!); Kirikiri! (Please!); Iko ma aza! (Help me!); Ine! (See!); Mi a'bua ozi si? (How much do you sell bananas?); Ajeni si? (How much [is the price]?); Ale Obangulu! (I want mashed whiteants!); Ma mu Gili Gili-a ngoni? (How do I get to Gili Gili?); Arojo ngwa? (Where is the drugshop?); Mi ru adi-i? (What is your name?); Ma ru Joel-i! (I’m called Joel!); Awa’di fo! (Thanks!); Ale mi ra! (I love you!); Ma enga Ombaci-a. (I’m from Ombaci.); Mi aa ngoni? (Good afternoon!); Ma mu kanisa-a. (I’m going to church.); Mi ma agi! (You are my friend!); Ma mu Ariwara-a ngoni? (How do I get to Ariwara?); Mosikiti ngwa? (Where is the mosque?); Mi ma ji Ragem-a ra? (Can you take me to Ragem?); Iji ma Ediofe-a! (Take me to Ediofe!); Ba mucele ozi ngwa? (Where is rice sold?); Aleni ku! (I don't want!); Aje/ andru/ drusi/ drozi (Yesterday, today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow); Ila muke! (Sleep well!)

Numbers 1. Alu, 2. Iri, 3. Na, 4. Su, 5. Towi, 6. Azia, 7. Aziri, 8. Aro, 9. Oromi, 10. Modri, [After mastering the first 10 numbers, the rest will be easy. Just add ‘drini’ (which means ‘on top’) to show numbers after 10 and other series. Some people just shorten it to 'ni'.], 11. Modri drini alu, 12. Modri drini iri, 13. Modri drini na, [Put ‘Kali’ (which means ‘counting stick’) before a corresponding number for 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 before adding 'drini'. For instance, 91 is 'Kali oromi drini alu'.], 20. Kali iri, 21. Kali iri drini alu, 22. Kali iri drini iri, 30. Kali na, 40. Kali su, 100. Turu alu [For numbers from 111, use 'drini' once, in this case Turu alu, modri drini alu.], 200. Turu iri, 1,000. Alifu alu, 1 M. Milioni alu.

Prynce Charming

With a number of made films glossing his portfolio (e.g. feature length films: SRB [State Research Bureau] fittingly starts in Arua though on a tragic note in 1985, "A Good Catholic Girl" with High Definition Photography and "Battle of the Souls" about former devil worshipper Roger Mugisha, all directed by the tall Matt Bish - Roger's brother; "From the Ashes of Hatred", a Nollywood and UgaWood collaboration about a family which did not want their daughter to marry a Muganda; "The Road to Jamaa"; "On Time" (2008 Maisha Short Film); etc plus Music Videos/ TV Documentaries/ Commercials e.g. "Boo" by PRISCILLA KALIBALA; "Trouble in Paradise" - about the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Massacre - featuring as a rebel leader; Warid Beera Ko and "Nile Special (You've Earned It!)", etc; Prynce (Charming) Joel Okuyo (aka Lyhnnq-x)'s acting career has definitely taken off to the skies of international film. Maybe one day this Son of Arua will be crowned the “King of Cinema”. AFTERMATH: JOEL has won numerous international accolades in film including: Four time international award winning actor (2008), Best Supporting Actor (Balafon Film Festival, Italy 2009), Best Actor in Supporting Role Africa Movie Academy Awards, Nigeria 2010), Best Performance by an Actor/actress (Uhuru Film Festival, Ubuntu Village, Colorado, USA), Best Actor (ZIFF) 2011.