Buruuli flags off Ruruuli-Lunyala language church services
Buruli Cultural Leader Isabaruli Mwogezi (2nd right), joined by other officials, cuts a cake to mark the launch of Ruruli-Lunyala language church services at St. Andrews Church of Uganda in Nakasongola Town Council on March 23, 2025. Photo by Dan Wandera.
What you need to know:
With guidance from the Luweero Anglican Diocese, the Ruruuli-Lunyala language services will not replace the existing English and Luganda services but will be added to the Sunday worship schedule as an additional option for congregants
Following the successful translation of the English Dictionary and several Bible verses into the Ruruuli-Lunyala language, the Buruuli cultural institution has launched Ruruuli-Lunyala language services at Anglican churches in Nakasongola District.
With guidance from the Luweero Anglican Diocese, the Ruruuli-Lunyala language services will not replace the existing English and Luganda services but will be added to the Sunday worship schedule as an additional option for congregants.
“We are not replacing the Luganda and English services already in place at various churches. The Ruruuli-Lunyala service is being introduced as part of the current Sunday services in churches that are ready,” said Rev Can Samuel Saaka, the Nakasongola Archdeacon of Luweero Diocese, in an interview with Daily Monitor on Tuesday.
The Ruruuli-Lunyala language services, which will be gradually rolled out to more churches in Nakasongola District, are part of the Buruuli cultural institution’s strategy to promote the teaching of Ruruuli in lower primary schools in the district. This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Curriculum Development Centre and the Ministry of Education and Sports, according to Mr Samuel Kasirye, Prime Minister of the Buruuli cultural institution.
“We are in contact with the National Curriculum Development Centre to ensure that our children learn the Ruruuli language in lower primary schools. We already have literature translated into Ruruuli,” he explained.
Mwogezi Butamanya, the cultural leader of Baruuli (Isabaruuli), emphasized that, like other languages used for instruction, the Ruruuli language now has a platform for growth through the translation of the English Dictionary into Ruruuli-Lunyala and the availability of Bible scriptures in the language.
“We now have the opportunity to use the Ruruuli language in church services. With the translated Holy Bible scriptures and literature, our people—both children and adults—can practice the language,” he said.
Ms Eseza Nalukwago, a congregant at St. Andrew’s Church of Uganda in Nakasongola, said that using the Ruruuli language in church services is important, as it is the primary language spoken by around 80 percent of the district’s population.
“When we begin using the Ruruuli language, with the help of the translated Holy Bible scriptures, our children and adults will be inspired to learn more about the Buruuli culture and language,” she told The Monitor.
Scriptures Translated into Ruruuli
Mr Musa Kato Musoke, a retired secondary school agriculture teacher working with the Summer Institute of Languages, revealed that more than 10 books of the Holy Bible have already been translated into Ruruuli-Lunyala.
“We don’t have the complete Bible yet, but books such as the Gospel of Luke, the letters of Paul, and the Gospel of John are available in the Ruruuli language,” he said. “The translation process is thorough, and we consult with language experts and authorizing bodies, including the Uganda Bible Society, to ensure accuracy before publication.”
Call for Priest Training
As Ruruuli-Lunyala language services expand to more churches, Buruuli cultural leaders are encouraging parents to support the training of young people for the priesthood. Mr. Butamanya stated that having priests fluent in Ruruuli will enhance the experience of worshippers during services.
“It will be much easier if we have priests who can read the Ruruuli-Lunyala Bible verses to the congregation,” he said. “This is part of our broader campaign to preserve the Ruruuli culture, and we hope to see more of our young people trained as priests.”
