Bible to be translated in eight local languages

By Grace Amme

The Bible Society of Uganda is working on a project to translate the Christian Bible into eight new indigenous languages.

The Old Testament is being translated to Adhola, Kumam, Lusoga, Lumasaba and Lusamia/Lugwe.
Revisions are also being made for the Luganda, Sabiny and Acholi bibles.

According to the general secretary, Simon Peter Mukhama, the translations would be an addition to the already existing 14 translated Bibles by the Society.

Mukhama was on Monday speaking to journalists at a conference aimed at improving the Society’s partnership with the media.

Although he could not provide a specific timeline within which the translations would be complete, he explained that the translations would deliver the message of Christ to communities using local languages.

According to Mukhama, the move is in line with the vision of the society.

The Bible Society has already made New Testament translations of the Bible in Acholi, Alur, Lumasaba, Lusoga, Ateso, Adhola and Lusamia/Lugwe.

Also, there are easy-to-read versions of the New Testament in Kinyarwanda, Kumam, Lango, Luganda, Lugbara, and Karimojong, Runyankole-Rukiga and Runyoro-Rutooro.

BSU has also translated the Bible to braille for the visually impaired as well as a video version for those with hearing impairment.

The society has also recently completed a project for the audio Luganda Bible.