Each year, Plugged compiles the slangs and phrases that characterized online and physical conversations in Uganda. 2022 was no different. The year came with new lingo derived from viral videos, music and the circumstances that dot people’s lives.
From osilike, econome, and kusala word, to slang inspired by Uganda’s unmatched party-eating lifestyle.
Did we mention President Yoweri Museveni and the Prime Minister partook in slang-coining this year?
Here are our picks….
Osilike
The year began with this new word and everyone was jumping on it. From Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp statuses and during in-person conversations. Osilike (Luganda for ‘and keep quiet’) was used as an expletive (empty word). More like for emphasis. “Gwe woma buwomi osilike” [Just be sweet (in bed), and keep quiet].
Ogwo munanansi
A video recording of a middle-aged man in remote Uganda went viral and the slang was born. Munanansi is fermented pineapple peel juice popular in central Uganda. In the viral video, the man who was drinking the juice by the roadside, had been stopped by a random driver. The driver asked what it is he was drinking. Then he responded ‘ogwo munanansi’ (that’s juice).
Then the internet ran with it. Whenever someone wanted to disagree, criticize or throw shade at anyone, they said “ogwo munanansi”.
Kati ebigambo bimbuzemu awo
January. The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja is addressing the media about the fuel crisis. Then she suddenly pauses. And says.. “Kati ebigambo bimbuzemu awo” [I’ve run out of words]. And to make matters worse, she tries to lean against her office chair, and she almost falls down.
Since then, ebigambo bimbuzemu awo becomes a signature (cheeky) response for anything surprising or disappointing.
Tuli wawelu.. Tuli outside
Lockdown had dealt a bad hand to those who wanted to kusimbula [hang out]. Which is why when lockdown was lifted in January, there was a lot of excitement. Every post made by party-goers or travelers, was captioned Tuli wawelu (we are outside [again])
Every concert that happened early in the year was themed on that slang.
The slang originates from a TikTok video of Buganda princess, Katrina Sangalyambogo, screaming ‘My Luganda is not Lugandaring but tuli wawelu, tuli outside’.
Okusala word
Ugandans love many things but gossiping/small talk is top on the list. Even worse when social media has created this irresistible urge to have an opinion on everything. Okusala word means talking.
We wacha wewe. Toka toka toka.
Next time your SafeBoda guy tells you they don’t have a Shs 500 coin for your change, you can tell them “We wacha wewe!!”
2022 brought us a new expression for rudeness or disagreement. And it’s all thanks to the President.
How did Kiswahili lingo make it to the list? Somehow, a clip from an interview of former NTV reporter and anchor, Sheila Nduhukire with the President in Moroto in 2015 (during Tarehe Sita celebrations) resurfaced online.
Midway the interview, the President shouts at someone telling them We wacha wewe. Toka toka toka.
Tokubye wo nyo?
Some people never give measured criticism. They go for the jugular. As a response to mean/sly comments or criticism, many people used “Tokubye wo nyo?” Luganda to mean “Don’t you think that’s too harsh?”
Econome ogilaba
We had started to recover from the aftershocks of the Covid pandemic which everybody thought was the worst thing to ever happen. Then inflation (a fuel crisis and high commodity prices) walked through the door and said… “Hold my beer”.
Everybody was broke. So, we conveniently had an excuse to throw around each time we were met with requests or demands. “Econome ogilaba” [you see how the economy is].
ALSO READ: ‘Kusimbula’, ‘Tokisusa’, ‘Vayolensi’ and other slangs that came with 2021
Omanyi mwelabila nyo/Omanyi muli ba kujukiza
You know what they say.. The internet never forgets. It’s true. The internet cycle turns faster (there seems to always be a new topic to jump on each day) but long-forgotten incidents have a way of finding their way back to the TL. “Omanyi mwelabila nyo” [you know y’all forget so quickly] was that phrase people used to jog our memories.
Muliwa awatufu?
Kampala is not regarded a nightlife capital of East Africa by mistake. Ugandans love to go out and live a little. Coz life is too short and Covid taught us to prioritize our mental health. Each time someone wanted to find out which place was catching or where their squad was hanging, they posted “muliwa awatufu” [where y’all at exactly?]
Mubitibwa
(LOL) Ugandan slang is hard to keep up with. Mubitibwa [with respect] was another of those redundant words that added nothing but humor to a phrase. It can literally be applied at the end of every phrase. Sometimes it was used as an independent comment. January is going to squeeze us mubitibwa!
Weather for two
The economy might have been hot all year round but we had moments when it poured. Nights that were longer for the singles. Each time the weather was cold, people rushed to post about “weather for two”. The cheeky ones would go… “Weather for two. Labor pains for one”.
Ani afuga lino egwanga?
One thing hasn’t changed this year. The endless drama that Uganda is. There’s a weird, hilarious, shocking, embarrassing occurrence every minute that passes. If it isn’t a news headline, it’s a random video clip or photo on the internet. And all you could do was wonder…. “Ani afuga lino egwanga” [who is in charge of this country?]
Avoid Kampala men
After the MEN ARE TRASH awareness campaign registered success, the women used 2022 to narrow down this campaign to a particular location – Kampala. Phrases like “If you get time, avoid Kampala men at all costs” or “Unless it’s urgent, avoid Kampala men” were common online.
In defense, the men were sarcastic sometimes. With comments like… “Avoid Kampala men. Yet there’s 100 weddings every weekend”.
Akasingye nokeha
Each year seems to come with a consolation anthem. Last year’s was “Heaven is the goal”. 2022 brought another one. “Akasingye nokeha” is Runyankore for “You create your own peace”. Some used it to express their mood (genuine peace of mind). Others used it as a consolation when times were tough.
Nyash
Apart from Ebola and fuel prices, nyash [pidgin for big bums] was up there on the issues that dominated public (men’s) debate. Men praised nyash, confessed the sacrifices (including dying) they would make for it and mocked those without it. Some called it a human right (LOL).
Overall, Nyash got great PR in 2022.
Tokola entondo oja kuloga
The phrase is derived from Enjoyment, a song by Eddy Kenzo and Rickman. It means “Don’t be grumpy lest you resort to witchcraft”. It became a favorite for internet users because mean phrases have come to be valuable artillery online.
Toli wa kitalo nga bwolowoza
What do you tell someone who overrates their importance? Coz some people suffer from that condition. At the same time, the internet has bullies who derive satisfaction in deflating others.
So, the phrase came in handy. It means “You’re not as important as you believe”. Interestingly, the phrase can be traced as back as 2000 when late singer Paul Kafeero used it in his song Nantabulirirwa.
Bakuwe uniform
This time round, if you were found to be naive, you were not ‘taken process by process’. Rather, you were given a uniform. Sometimes accompanied by sportswear.
The phrase applied to circumstances where you needed to mock someone for their inexperience or sheer innocence about something. Mostly, it was used in love-related conversations. Like when a woman says they trust their boyfriend and they know he doesn’t cheat. That one requires a uniform (implying orientation).
Soft life
Soft life represents everything that stress, anxiety, and working like a donkey are not. If all you posted on social media was photos of you chilling, traveling and eating well, you were quickly labeled an Ambassador of Soft Life. One who is having it easy.
In fact, soft life is top on many people’s 2023 resolutions.
Tokikola
Tokikola simply means “don’t do it”. It was among the most used slangs this year. As a default comment to just about everything. It was also a good way to extinguish comments considered as vayolensi.
Oyogedde late
How do you let someone know that the advice they are giving came in a little too late? Especially if you’re a victim of the same thing they are advising against?
“Oyegedde late” (this information is late). It applied a lot to relationship advice and many have been victims. Considering we all know relationships are baptism by fire, we won’t judge.
