Uganda Slang, Jargon, and New Words from Double-Tongued Dictionary

Associated with or special to Uganda or Uganda people, places, or things. You can also see entries assigned to this category.

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air supply n. This growth occurred at a time when “air supply” was introduced into the Ugandan lexicon. People in positions of influence began conniving with government accounting officers to win tenders on which they hardly delivered. The moment the cheque was cashed they would split the money and run. [English Uganda Crime & Prisons Politics] [full cite] (Jul. 17, 2004)

air supply n. We thought you should be given a quick taste of the fiddles his Ugandan counterpart uncovered. For bagmen, brothels, bookmakers and bribes read “air supply.” [English Uganda Crime & Prisons Politics] [full cite] (Jul. 17, 2004)

air supply n. Although petty corruption is rampant in the civil service, Ruzindana has focused on the big fish—senior officials motivated less by need than greed. His target is the booming and notorious Ugandan enterprise known here as “air supply.” Translation: fraud. “It means you supply nothing, and yet you are paid,” said Ruzindana. [English Uganda Crime & Prisons Politics] [full cite] (Jul. 17, 2004)

air supply n. Donors and Government funds were diverted. For example $600,000 from reserve funds is unexplained, 500m/= was either diverted or unaccounted for while 136m/= was fraudulently expended. We also discovered anomalies to do with air supply of solar panels and drugs etc. [English Uganda Crime & Prisons Politics] [full cite] (Jul. 17, 2004)

black dollar n. He said high-ranking CID officers were protecting people who deal in counterfeit currency commonly called “black dollars” who have taken to conning civilians like nuns of huge sums of money. [English Uganda Crime & Prisons Money & Finance] [full cite] (Jun. 29, 2006)

creeper n. But on board now of course are also those newish ladies and gentlemen who are sometimes referred to as “creepers.” In the ancient game of “You go down, I go up,” they see themselves as inheritors who will have earned their pedestals by “struggling” for the President in his later years. Where Museveni’s old buddies (or “historicals") slept in mosquito and snake-infested bushes and risked their lives smuggling guns, messages and cash and killing Obote’s soldiers, the creepers must also be seen to measure up to the rough life. It is well and good if a creeper can jump smartly across a mud-pool on the campaign trail, but it would be much better if he rolls in the mud to cross the pool. [English Uganda Politics] [full cite] (Jan. 17, 2005)

empty tin n. In the current politically charged environment characterised by an increasing number of what the state terms “illegal” demonstrations, rallies and riots, the police definitely has its hands full. Yet this situation is bound to spiral. What, with the opposition and of late civic society increasingly raising contentious national issues and the NRM government as usual acting with conceit, referring to them as “empty tins?” [English Uganda] [full cite] (Apr. 24, 2007)

historical n. But on board now of course are also those newish ladies and gentlemen who are sometimes referred to as “creepers.” In the ancient game of “You go down, I go up,” they see themselves as inheritors who will have earned their pedestals by “struggling” for the President in his later years. Where Museveni’s old buddies (or “historicals") slept in mosquito and snake-infested bushes and risked their lives smuggling guns, messages and cash and killing Obote’s soldiers, the creepers must also be seen to measure up to the rough life. It is well and good if a creeper can jump smartly across a mud-pool on the campaign trail, but it would be much better if he rolls in the mud to cross the pool. [English Uganda Politics] [full cite] (Jan. 17, 2005)

igobe n. He has coined another phrase comparing what is happening within the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) to igobe (Runyankore-Rukiga for dogs on heat). “You see when dogs are in igobe, they cease reasoning. They sometimes move into the road, totally oblivious of traffic. These people are busy pulling each other into the road and the Movement bus is coming hooting. If they do not move out, it will obviously crush them. [Uganda Politics] [full cite] (May. 4, 2004)

motor n. No more commercial motorcyclists, commonly known as boda boda or “motor,” will be allowed in Kigali’s city centre.…The original owner buys another bike, and through this reproductive system, the population of “motors” on Kigali streets has grown phenomenally. Incidentally, this practice is not confined to Kigali. [English Uganda Automobiles & Transportation] [full cite] (Aug. 30, 2006)

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