Multi-lingual NIRA employee Claire Ollama wows Ugandans

Claire Ollama, a registrar hailing from Paidha, in Zombo District, became an overnight viral sensation across social media platforms after a video emerged showcasing her effortless command of multiple Ugandan dialects during a press conference. 

A soft-spoken civil servant at National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), she has trended on social media over the past few days over her linguistic proficiency. 

In the clip, Ollama seamlessly transitioned between various languages to explain the ongoing child registration process, transforming a routine public announcement into a masterclass in inclusive communication. She was able to seamlessly explain the process in English, Luganda, Lusoga, Runyankore, Alur, and Swahili in ‘indigenous’ accents that would impress a phonetics and phonology professor.

Seasoned communications and programme manager Patrick Oyulu, was so bowled over that he shared her  video on his socials, wittily saying, “"If there were language Olympics, Claire Ollama would be taking home gold… and still have enough breath to read the 7 o’clock news.” 

Cue many confessions, with many claiming she learnt the languages by studying from those regions. “I remember her. She studied at Mary Hill in Western Uganda,” one said.  Another swore she attended Iganga SS at the time, where she learnt Lusoga.

Nelson Kapo Bwire, another social media user, commented on her "very fluent Runyankore with a correct accent" and Frank Lwiise stated, "Her Lusoga is too perfect, you cannot convince me she isn’t from the region."

Beyond the technical marvel of her multilingualism, many observers lauded Ollama for her profound impact on public engagement. 

Oyulu, who, like Ollama, is an Alur who  hails from Zombo,  powerfully articulated this aspect, noting, "This isn’t just public communication, it’s public connection. At a time when access to services hinges on trust and clarity, Claire has redefined civic engagement armed with nothing but grace, charisma and cultural fluency." 

Calls quickly emerged for NIRA to promote Ollama, with some suggesting she should be headhunted by larger government entities, recognising the transformative potential of such empathetic and effective communication.

In response Claire Ollama reacted with a simple, “Humbled by the recommendations on the translations.”

Video: https://x.com/i/status/1937530470402506804

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