Sh5b needed to complete Rufumbira Bible translation
Sep 24, 2023
Out of the 43 languages spoken in Uganda, the Bible Society of Uganda has successfully translated the Bible into 20 languages.
An official from the Bible Society of Uganda displaying a dummy of the New Testament in Rufumbira. (Photos by Job Namanya)
Job Namanya
Journalist @New Vision
_____________________ The team that took part in translating the New Testament in Rufumbira handing it over to the Bible Society Leadership of Uganda in Kisoro
The Bible Society of Uganda (BSU) has embarked on a mission to fully translate the Bible into the Rufumbira Language, and the undertaking is set to cost sh5bn to accomplish.
Bible translation has a rich history dating back to ancient times. It is believed that the translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek took place around 300 BC. The work of St Jerome in 382 AD marked the beginning of translating both the Old and New Testaments into different languages. However, these early translations were laboriously executed by hand.
In the context of Uganda, the Luganda Bible was the first to be translated into a local language. The first portions were produced in 1887, followed by the New Testament in 1893. In 1896, a complete Bible was published, affectionately known as the "Biscuit Bible”. Over time, as Christianity continued to flourish in the country, regional languages also saw translations of the Holy Scriptures.
Out of the 43 languages spoken in Uganda, the Bible Society of Uganda has successfully translated the Bible into 20 languages.
According to Peter Lumbuye Serumaga, BSU's acting secretary general, the translation of the Bible into Rufumbira began three years ago as a collaborative effort among religious leaders and dedicated Christians.
Currently, the society has completed the translation of the New Testament in Rufumbira. However, an estimated sh5bn is needed to translate the Old Testament and thus create a complete Bible in Rufumbira.
"We are thrilled to announce the release of the Rufumbira New Testament. The translation of this New Testament has been a three-year journey, driven by our mission to enable the Bafumbira community to hear the voice of God in their native language, thereby inspiring positive transformation in their lives.
With the successful launch of the New Testament, we are now setting our sights on the translation of the Old Testament. This endeavor is anticipated to span between 5 to 8 years, and we estimate a funding requirement of approximately sh5bn during this period," said Serumaga.
He urged the public to become active participants in this mission by becoming members of the society and engaging in the upcoming Bible week scheduled for the beginning of December. These collective efforts will facilitate the translation of the Bible and ultimately make it available at a more affordable price once the project reaches completion.
Serumaga provided insights into the costs involved in translating the Bible into any language, emphasising the meticulous process required. 
"As you may be aware, a standard Bible with 66 books comprises 31,102 verses. The translation of a single verse, involving all the necessary processes as guided by our consultant, comes at a cost of sh50,000. However, it's important to highlight that if we were to translate the Catholic Church Bible, which includes additional books and verses, the expenses would further escalate," he observed.
He also disclosed that the society is diligently engaged in the creation of a Bible tailored for the Batwa, a minority ethnic group in Uganda. Serumaga explained that the Batwa Bible translation project has commenced with an initial oral version, allowing them to access the Scriptures in their native language.
The unveiling of the New Testament in Rufumbira was celebrated in Kisoro Mayor's Gardens, Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro district, with the presence of various religious leaders from the Kigezi sub-region. Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi represented the government as the chief guest, standing in for Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister of Uganda.
“We appreciate Bible Society for recognising the importance of making the Bible available in all languages ensuring that every individual can engage with their hearts and minds,” she noted.
Mateke emphasised the importance of having the New Testament version available in Rufumbira, as it enables local communities to study the Word of God in their language. She also encouraged believers to extract valuable lessons from the Bible to enhance their societal values.
Rt. Rev. Godfrey Mbitse, the Bishop of Muhabura Diocese, shared the significance of having a Bible in Rufumbira for Christians in the region.
He noted that this milestone would encourage more authors to publish works in the same language, thus fostering language and cultural development among the Bafumbira people.
The celebration was filled with songs of praise and ululation, marking a historic achievement for the Bafumbira community.
About Bafumbira
The Bafumbira are a Bantu ethnic group primarily from Kisoro District in South Western Uganda, although their presence can be found throughout the country.
They consist of three indigenous groups; Bahutu, Batutsi, and Batwa, and they speak Rufumbira, a language with similarities to Kinyarwanda.
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