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Transport

Boarding a taxi

Taxis in Uganda are what they call ‘matatus’ in Kenya. They are small buses that take about 12 people (in Uganda easily 18). They stop wherever is convinient on the main streets to pick up or drop passengers with no designated stops. When there is a lot of traffic they might take smaller streets to avoid getting stuck in a jam. Most taxis drive to Soroti Taxi Park in Soroti. When you want to hail a taxi all you have to do is waving with your left hand and they will stop for you.

Ateso

English

Ateso Pronunciation

Aibo ilosi ijo?/Ilosi bo ijo ai?

Where are you going?

Alosi eong Kapelebyong

I’m going to Kapelebyong

Akoto eong adokikin/akidok atakisi /amatatu

I want to board a taxi

Alosi eong aidok/akidok atakisi/ amatatu

I am going to board a taxi

Itodikinai eong neebwoiatar/ nebwoununiata/nama egwaenanata atakisin/amotokan/ amatatun nuelosete Mukongoro?

Can you show me the taxi stage to Mukongoro?

Itodiarai/Kitodikinai eong neebwoiatar/nebwoununiata atakisin/amotokan/amatatun nuelosete Pingire?

Can you show me the stage to Pingire?

Adokuni eong ko Amuria

I’m getting off in Amuria

Adokuni eong ko Polis

I’m getting out at the Police station

Iboikin ngaren/kingaren!

Sit in the front seat!

Iboikin kau!

Sit in the back seat!

Elipit keboikin ngaren/kingaren?

May I sit in the front?

Ikunyak mot!

Move a bit!

Isunyakite/Isunyak!

Hurry up!

The conductor:

The conductor is responsible for informing passengers where the taxi is going and the fare cost(s). He also collects the money from the passengers. He might say things like:

Tororo ilukumin iyare

To Tororo is two thousand

Napolon/Loapolon ilosi ijo kede iso?

Madam/Sir, are you coming with us?

Irenge! (Ederepa is ‘Driver’)

Drive! (lit.: chastising birds = Irenge ikwenyi)

Kaloto(to) ngaren. (to the driver)

Let’s go on/ahead

Ikopakisi/Koinakisi eong ikapun!

Please pass me your fare!

Lukoingaren, koinakisi eong ikapun/isirigin!

The remaining passengers seated in the front, give me your fare!

Ikopakisi/koinakisi eong ikapun!

Pass the fare to me!

Ejai yen edokuni kositeji/kama egwoya?

Is anyone getting off at the stage?

Ejaasi luekotos adokun?

Are any passengers getting off?

To the conductor:

Loapolon, aibo iyangari ijo eong?

Sir, where are you taking me to?

Loapolon, akoto eong alosit Kumi

Sir, I want to go to Kumi

Loapolon, aso.

Sir, take it (when giving the fare)

Loapolon, ajaas eong kede anotin nuapolok. Ebeit ijo ainyakakin eong isirigin ka icie or ebalans, cabo?

Sir, I only have ‘big money notes’ (like 20,000). You’re going to give me my balance, right?

Inyakakinai eong isirigin/ebalans ka

Give me my balance

Getting out:

You don’t have to wait for a stage or a ‘bus stop’ to get out, all you have to do is use one of the following phrases and the taxi will stop.

Kobwou/kogwo kangina/kanen!

Stop there! (In front there!)

Kobwou/kogwo kane idumunia ijo apak!

Stop wherever you find space

Ositeji/Agwaete ngol/ngina!

At the stage over there!

Ngina!

Over there!

Kopaik atutubet ngin!

Stop at that place!

Kopaik ne epeere akiring!

Stop at the barbecue place!

Idokuni ijo?

Are you getting off?

Adokuni eong!

I’m getting off!

Taking a boda

When taking a motorcycle hire (knicknamed boda boda) in Ocor Imongin, it is easy. They will always look for passengers (customers) and usually they will talk to you before you even seek for them. Bodas do not drive on paved roads only, they will take you anywhere you want. They are popular for avoiding traffic jams in Kampala. Although they are very convenient, taking a boda is also very expensive and risky. Unlike in the taxi where prices are fixed, you have bargain a lot with the boda boda drivers.

Bia kaloto(to)!

Come lets go!

Iboikin!

Take a seat!

Eyalama kanu aswam na iswamai ijo

Thanks for the work you’re doing

Biai bo aswam?

How is work?

Alosi eong Ongatunyo

I’m going to Ongatunyo

Koyanga(rai) eong Amucu?

Can you take me to Amucu?

Ijeni ijo adekis ne ejengere/akicili adekak?

Do you know where the surgery is?

Cut abeit?

Are you sure?

Irenge/Kiteker mot mot/adio adio!

! Drive slowly!

Iteso people are found in Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya, and they speak Ateso. 

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Ateso Basics

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