‘What’s Kampala baddies maths? Kukuba luseke. That’s the rizz they understand.’
See. If you are a little puzzled by the jargon, then that probably means you spent 2023 outside Uganda or else you didn’t pay attention to the buzzwords that characterized the year.
It could also be that you spent way less time on social media, where many users traded communication using this new lexicon.
Each year, Plugged compiles the slangs and phrases that characterize online and physical conversations in Uganda. Here are the slangs that made the 2023 list….
Sitya danger
Alien Skin who during the Covid lockdown quickly emerged from underground the music industry and shot to popularity released a song titled Sitya Danger at the end of the year. The message in there being that regardless of how he’s threatened he fears no danger. And this quickly became the phrase that many touted to express how less they cared in the face of risk.
Tujja tujja
When Jamaican dancehall singer, Konshens teased about his upcoming visit to Uganda, these (Tujja Tujja) were the only words he used in his tweet. Followed by Ugandan flags. Perhaps his handlers in Uganda had briefed him that this is the slang that was catching in Uganda.
Tujja Tujja 🇺🇬🇺🇬
— KONSHENS (@konshens) November 22, 2023
Tujja Tujja (we’re coming) was heavily used by partygoers/extroverts to affirm their FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) for a certain plot. On several occasions, the taxman (URA) who isn’t always welcome to entertainment events, commented on event posters using the phrase, as a way of cheekily reminding event organizers of their tax obligations.
This slang was what replaced Tusimbude (2021) and Muliwa ewatufu? (2022)
Nkolera bantu
This year, whoever wanted to air out hard truths, this is how they put it… ‘I serve the people’. It became the easy way to make populist statements be it criticizing the government or even picking an unpopular side in a conversation. But beyond that, there were those that used it in a more direct sense, to justify their hustle/hard work/service.
Oluseke
Made popular by Dembe FM radio presenter, Kasuku, oluseke ranks high among this year’s most popular slangs. He even organized an entertainment event dubbed ‘Luseke Nyam Nyam’. Oluseke is Luganda for ‘straw’. Okukuba oluseke means a scheme to solicit money from someone.
In one of his conversations with Kato Lubwama (late), Kasuku bragged how he has mastered the art of scheming. As a result, whenever someone made a post or a comment that appeared to have underlying ulterior (monetary) motives, netizens were always quick to flag the act as ‘luseke’.
RELATED: Here are the 2022 slangs…. ‘Osilike’, ‘Kusala word’, ‘Nyash’ and more
Twagala sente
May 2023. Medical doctors are threatening the latest of their perennial strikes in protest of low pay. During one of the press conferences they addressed to express their dissatisfaction, one of them (Dr. Ismael Mwesigye) puts on a passionate plea to government, claiming that they (doctors) wont relent in their pursuit of money.
“Twagala kintu kimu sente. Sitwagala tunyonyola kintu kilala. Twagala sente.” (We want only one thing – money. We won’t entertain any other explanations. All we need is money). He said.
Ugandans know good slang when they see one. And this had all the signs written all over it. In a year where the economy has left many people on the edge, you would understand why Twagala sente became a convenient catchphrase for everyone.
Tugoinge wa
Kenya has sheng (a blend of Kiswahili and English) which always sounds cool to the ear. Ugandans too have recently adopted ‘Lugeng’ and Tugoinge wa is a typical case of this new trend.
This particular phrase has its roots in melancholy. In March, residents of Kireku (Bweyogerere) were victims of demolition of structures said to have been illegally built in the railway reserve.
Among the victims was 65-year-old Nakibowa who was recorded on video making an appeal to authorities who were behind the demolition. In her appeal, she posed the question.. “Sawa zino, abantu bagoinge wa? Abantu tebayina gyebagoinga” (Right now, where do you want the residents to go? They don’t have where to go).
Then TikTok jumped on this viral phrase and ran with it.
Mubiru ndeka
The era of citizen journalism is upon us. Everyone owns a smartphone, everyone has a camera. Which gives everyone the power to share news in real time. If it’s a juicy story – like one involving sex – certainly it will get Ugandans’ attention.
Which is what made this particular clip spread like wildfire. A man comes across two young kids and it seems they have an interesting story to tell. Earlier, they eavesdropped on a situation where a man and a woman were locked inside a house. And all these kids could hear was the woman repeatedly pleading ‘Mubiru ndeka’ (Leave me alone Mubiru).
The man probes these kids further to tell him what they think was going on. But the boy says he has no clue.
The phrase has since joined the long list of sound effects used in creating funny videos. Comedians have used it in their sets and the rest of the people have used it in their own context online.
Rizz
The term rizz originated from TikTok. Where it was basically used by content creators to distinguish men who have ‘game’ (the ability to win a woman’s heart) and those that don’t.
Quickly, the word found itself on other platforms like X.
It took a while before many discovered ‘rizz’ is derived from the word charisma.
“Do you have the rizz to ask me out on a date?”
And boy have broke men been targeted the most. There seems to be a consensus among the opposite gender that a broke man and rizz should never be used in the same sentence.
Nokia and iPhone
Once upon a time, diss songs were the normal. A trend popularized by Chameleone, Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine. This year gave Uganda’s entertainment the most brutal music concert battle since 2013. The latest one featured Sheebah and Cindy. But the most controversy came in the build-up to the battle where the two went head-to-head on who’s a better entertainer.
To stir up the controversy, Sheebah described herself as an iPhone while labeling her opponent as Nokia (in other words outdated). In the subsequent weeks, Ugandans resorted to using Nokia and iPhone instead of Cindy and Sheebah respectively.
Alimba alimba
Each year, Ugandans find innovative ways to call out BS. Last year, the slang for this was Ogwo munanansi. This year, whenever someone needed to call a bluff, they used ‘Alimba alimba’ (Luganda for ‘He/she is telling lies’).
If anyone found themselves in a position where they were defending themselves, this phrase was the most likely response they got. On TikTok, content creators craftfully edited videos where this slang effect was conveniently placed after particular statements making the whole thing hilarious. The same effect found its way in several comical skits that were created this year.
We have comedian Amooti Omubalanguzi to thank for this creation.
Abasajja twabavako bakola byebagala
Don’t be out there thinking it’s broke men who are going through the most when it comes to relationships. Relationship drama has no limits. Even the first couple (the President & First Lady) contend with problems to do with how to keep a partner.
And when the First Couple celebrated their 50 years in marriage this year, the First Lady had some relationship tips to share with fellow women in the struggle.
“Give him peace. Just let him be. What he wants to do, just let him do, because it’s nothing. And he (President) knows. I don’t follow him, picking up things. Ladies, just let your husbands be,” said the First Lady.
In reacting to this piece of advice, actress Shamim Mayanja aka Zubeda said “Abasajja twabata dda bakola byebagala. Twabavakko dda. Lwakuba Maama ye takimanyi. Batayaaya, bakima bintu ku buko, bata nudes zabantu, tebakola basigala Uganda abakazi bebagenda nebakola. Abakyaliwo tubafuga“.
“We let men be long time ago. They do what they want and we’ve made peace with that. They are unfaithful, they collect dowry refund, they release women’s nudes. They no longer work. It’s the women that work”.
Besides being funny, Zubeda’s sentiments resonated with many out there. Which is why her clip made rounds on the internet and eventually everyone was throwing this phrase around.
Katonda wamanyi
NBS TV political pundit, Charles Rwomushana, who is a panelist on Barometer (political talk show), always opens his submission with the saying “Katonda wamanyi. Katonda wa kisa.” Meaning God is powerful. God is merciful.
There was this particular episode when he made his signature intro. And fellow panelist MP Betty Nambooze, being the ignitor of violence that she is responded Wabadewo awakana (Did anybody refute that?).
Just like that, a new phrase was birthed.
Walya tewalya?
In March, a female TikToker (Mackline alias Owabanoonya) who does casual labor in Dubai released a list allegedly of men who have slept with her. Putting them on notice to go and test for HIV and assuring them she tested positive for the virus herself. The title of this list was ‘List yabalya’ (A list of those who ate).
In a subsequent video, she is confronted by two of the men whose names appeared on that list. They are furious about he fact that her allegations have ruined their reputation and put their relationships at risk.
She’s seen asking one of the men Walya oba tewalya? (Did you eat or did you not?)
Back in Uganda, the Question became like an icebreaker for every celebrity interview. Before going mainstream.
Baddie
This was famous on X (formerly Twitter). Especially in circles of partygoers. The kind that attends all the cool parties that have dominated the event calendar. Which are frequented by attractive ladies.
A baddie is a girl who effortlessly looks charming. Basically, a girl who is extremely put together and looks phenomenal even on her off days.
Okkuyisaamu egaali
This means trolling someone. Or any act/comment that someone does/makes to demean another person. And knowing how dramatic Uganda is each day that passes, it was a very eventful year.
Politicians, celebrities, media personalities, pundits, content creators and the like made the most out of this phrase.
Omugambo
As Ugandans, our second nature has always been minding other people’s businesses. What others call small talk or gossip. We thrive in that field.
Last year, the slang for this was ‘okusala word’ which, it would appear, morphed into ‘okusala ekigambo/ okutokomoka omugambo’. Omugambo comes from ekigambo which means ‘word’.
Murife Don’t Run
Remember that popular South African video with a lady shouting ‘Murife don’t run?’
Yeah. that’s what birthed this phrase on the Ugandan internet. Everyone seemed to find a convenient way to use it while reacting to something. It also became trendy to call others Murife.
I recall a wedding meeting I attended and one of the groups created during the auctioning process called itself Murife. This is why it wouldn’t be shocking if there was a shop somewhere in Mbale called Murife Don’t Run Enterprises.
ALSO READ: ‘Kusimbula’, ‘Tokisusa’, ‘Vayolensi’ and other slangs that came with 2021
Wuhu Wuhu
Again, thanks to Alien Skin and his shenanigans, we got another buzzword. In fact, a chant. Which was a result of his beef with singer Pallaso after he (Pallaso) slapped Alien.
The chant became a clarion call among Alien’s fans and sympathizers. During his well-attended concert at Freedom City, the chant was like the default greeting. Majority of the musicians who performed on the show used this chant to prompt cheer from the crowd.
I can’t accept that/Can it happen?/Connecting connecting
At the height of his popularity, Mzeeyi Jemba the popular funeral announcer did lots of interviews. The media was scrambling for him to tell his story.
One of these interviews was done by a female. Who asks him “Do you have a wife? I can come and act as one”.
A surprised Jemba responds: “That is a miracle. I can’t accept that. Can it happen? Are you single? [Laughs]. Beautiful like that? Without someone someone, connecting connecting? You’re deceiving”.
He’s been around long enough to know the games women play. He probably also knows there’s a catch – his wallet. Because he has recently read in the news that his runaway wife all of a sudden wants to return home now that he’s famous and his fortunes could turn around.
Okwepicha
Gravity’s song Okwepicha no doubt ranks highly among 2023’s most popular songs. Thanks to his ever-controversial choice of song titles or even topics. On this one, he tackled an obscene topic – sexual intercourse – yet managed to tactfully get it widely accepted even on mainstream media.
The reception was not picky. Even the Prime Minister of Uganda was seen grooving to the jam at two concerts where Gravity performed.
Kabaka Mwanga
This phrase was the year opener. Originating from a 12-year-old boy deep down in Buyamba (Rakai district) in remote Uganda.
His sister has left her smartphone home. So, Luyinda Junior grabs it, opens the camera and begins to record. His pale face and the surroundings tell he’s a typical village boy. Then he starts to brag about his charming looks.
“Ndi eno naye gwe nanyilira. Maama.. Nanyilira va kwebyo. Nanyilira! Kabaka Mwanga“
He uses Kabaka Mwanga for emphasis. The sister decides to upload the video on TikTok and what follows is Junior becoming an internet sensation, doing a series of media interviews, winning a scholarship and other forms of support from well-wishers. That’s the power of the internet!
Why Kabaka Mwanga? He chose to use Kabaka Mwanga because his grandmom has always spoken fondly of the former King.
Ofa ki nensi
Why stress? Why start violence? Why don’t you just live? All these are synonyms for ‘ofa ki nensi’
Each year comes with a couple of Euphemisms to lubricate conversations. In times when everyone is almost always out there to throw shade, start a fight, troll or bully, these fire extinguishers (expletives) come in handy.
Which is why Ofa ki nensi became a favorite for many in 2023. So much so that Larry Madowo, the CNN correspondent, used the phrase on Twitter, prompting excitement and awe from Ugandans. Some advised him to come and collect his National ID.
Ssebo, offa ki n’ensi? https://t.co/49GUvMFkN9
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) September 8, 2023
Kusudiya mugaga
Kusudiya mugaga (to hype someone who has deep pockets) carries the same meaning as oluseke.
You know that saying that goes… A rich man’s jokes are always funny? It’s true. Of course unless if sharing his spoils isn’t among your intentions. But for most, this is always the motive.
When you go hanging with a wealthy person, you better understand the assignment. Call that hot chic he’s eyeing, laugh at everything he say, complement his lame dance moves. Coz just maybe, he will tip you generously.
That’s the context in which the phrase was used.
