It often takes ten to twenty years, depending on many factors such as:

• the level of the people's participation
• living conditions
• health of the translators
• other mission responsibilities of the translator

However, with new strategies and tools that are being developed there is hope that the time for translation can be greatly reduced.

Currently, Wycliffe members are assisting in the translation and literacy projects for four languages in Uganda – Gwere, Gungu, Bwisi, and Nyole. These four translation projects are coordinating their work and sharing resources as much as possible. Work is expected to begin in the languages of Ruli and Ik in the near future. Additionally, the Bible Society of Uganda has eight active projects in Uganda, some focusing on the Old Testament.

Currently, Wycliffe members are assisting in translation and literacy projects for 20 languages in Tanzania. Among these projects are two language cluster projects of 10 and 4 languages. There are potentially 15 language clusters in Tanzania, primarily of Bantu languages. The need for a translation project is determined through dialogue with informed partners, such as the churches, and with sociolinguistic information provided through Language Assessment.

A cluster approach brings multiple language projects together – either physically or in coordination – in order to leverage one or more key factors. These factors may include linguistic similarity, geographic location, like-minded vision, resource sharing, et al.

The Bantu Initiative is a language family strategy to give the Bibleless Bantu speakers access to Scriptures with greater speed, efficiency, and quality. This will be accomplished through a partnership of stakeholders working together to develop language programme strategies and resources that take advantage of Bantu language similarities in all of their forms.

For a current list of open positions look at our Become Involved pages. For more information contact us.

More questions? Link to Wycliffe International FAQs

There is no lingua franca in Uganda. Luganda is spoken widely in much of Uganda, but not so much in the north and southwest. English is the official language and is spoken widely in urban areas and towns, including Entebbe and Kampala. Expatriates who speak English and live in these areas do not need to learn a local language.

Visitors may enter the country with a tourist visa which can be obtained upon arrival at the airport. If you are planning on serving in Uganda for more than one month then you would need to obtain a work permit. It is good to start the process of application at least 4-6 months prior to arrival. Please contact the office in Uganda for a list of the information you will need to start this process.

The office in Entebbe has a full-time Internet connection which allows Wycliffe members and office staff to access their email and browse the Internet, though it is a relatively slow connection. At home most use a dial-up access to the Internet to collect email. Mobile phones are used in remote areas.

• Bicycles are a good mode of transportation and available for purchase in Kampala (although Entebbe is hilly).
• A bodaboda is a small motorcycle with a nice padded seat on the back for passengers. This is a popular and relatively cheap mode of transportation.
• Local taxi vans that take particular routes (like a bus) are prevalent and can take you around town for a small fee. This is the most common means of transport in Uganda.
• Rent the office van
• Most missionary families own a vehicle, while singles use motorbikes or public transport

• Use your own two feet

Vehicles are not absolutely necessary since there are a variety of public and private means to get around. Many people, especially families, do prefer owning a vehicle. Vehicles of all types are readily available for purchase in Uganda.

For getting around Entebbe and Kampala, and even when traveling to many rural locations, a small to mid-size vehicle (example: Toyota Corolla) is sufficient. The cost for small to mid-size vehicles range from US$4,000 to US$6,000.

For those who expect to frequent remote village locations or plan to travel across East Africa by vehicle a four-wheel drive vehicle may be advisable. The cost for four-wheel drive vehicles range from US$13,000 to US$30,000.

In the Entebbe area single family housing options are available. Multi-family options, apartments or flats, are not as prevalent. Finding the “right” house has proven to be a challenge for most missionaries and can take a fair amount of time and energy. The cost for housing is between US$350-$750 per month. These figures would not include the monthly cost of utilities and security provisions.

Weekend activities typically include things like getting together with friends, going to Kampala for shopping and eating out, visiting the Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe for swimming and a meal, playing golf at the oldest golf course in East Africa (1902), or just relaxing.

Both Entebbe and Kampala have a variety of denominational and non-denominational churches – Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Calvary Chapel, International, etc.

Some do swim in the lake, but most do not because the snails along the shore carry a parasite that causes bilharzia.

Contact us if you would like more information.

English is not spoken widely other than in Dar es Salaam. Many of the Asian shopkeepers speak English.  Otherwise Swahili is the language of wider communication throughout Tanzania.

It depends on how long and where your assignment is. Tutors who come for a few months at a time, even a year to teach the children of missionaries usually do not learn much Swahili. However, they certainly can take lessons while they are here. Anyone working for an extended period of time should study Swahili before taking their assignment.

A Resident Permit is needed in order to work in Tanzania. The personnel office will send you the appropriate papers for filling out.

Whether or not you will need a vehicle, and what kind, depends are where you are assigned and what your assignment will be. Most buy either a strong four-wheel drive vehicle from Japan (Toyota) or small used cars. The price ranges from $5,000 for a small used car to $40,000 for a new Land Cruiser.

• There are a variety of ways to get around the cities and towns of Tanzania:
  Bicycles are a cheap mode of transportation in the smaller locations (i.e. Dodoma, Mbeya, Musoma) and available for purchase, but not as safe a means of transport in Dar.
• Local Taxi vans (daladala) are continuously making their rounds and can take you around town for a small fee.
• Rent the office vehicle in Dodoma.
• Hire a private taxi.
• Long distant travel by bus (to and from Dar, for example).

• Dar es Salaam - In the Dar area single family housing options are available, as are apartments/flats. Finding the 'right' house can be challenging. The cost for a house is between $500 and $1,000 per month, not including the monthly cost of utilities and security provisions.
• Dodoma - In the Dodoma area single family housing options are available, but apartments/flats are not so prevalent. Finding the 'right house' can be challenging. The cost for housing is between $175 and $225, not including the monthly cost of utilities and security provisions.
• Musoma – In Musoma single family housing options are available, but flats/apartments are not available. Finding the “right” house is definitely challenging. The cost for housing is between $200- $400, not including the monthly cost of utilities and security provisions.

• Dar es Salaam - There are lots of things to do in Dar, especially if you are visiting! Shopping, eating out, going to the movies, going swimming, etc.
  
• Dodoma - Typical weekend activities include things like getting together with friends, watching videos, shopping/eating out, going to the pool at the “club”, playing squash, and/or going to the ice cream parlor.

Most major towns have English and Swahili church options, while our village teams only have Swahili and/or the local language options. All the locations have many denominations and independent churches to choose from. It is also good to bring books and materials to help you grow in your faith.

• Women wear mostly dresses in every location but Dar es Salaam. Dresses and skirts are still encouraged when working in the office. No short skirts.
• Men wear trousers and shirts (ties are needed for certain occasions). Shorts can be worn in your own home but not in the office nor usually around town.

• Dar es Salaam - There are several very good clinics in Dar, including dental.
• Dodoma - There are at least two medical clinics used by missionaries where blood and stool testing can be done. There is a good pharmacy. For hospital services we must travel to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi where good medical care is available. Mission Aviation Fellowship is available for emergencies evacuation flights. We have a medical consultant within SIL to help with medical questions.
• Most of the big towns in Tanzania have good pharmacies. However, if you have a certain prescription you need please inquire before you come whether it can be bought in Tanzania. If not you have to work out special arrangements with you insurance company to buy a supply to bring with you to cover your time in Tanzania.
• In Uganda, there are good doctors but the medical facilities (hospitals) are relatively weak. Most who have a planned treatment, where hospitalization is likely, go elsewhere (e.g., Kenya), including for childbirth.

In the Entebbe/Kampala area there is very little malaria and most who live in Entebbe do not take malaria prophylaxis. Taking prophylaxis is recommended when traveling to other areas of Uganda or East Africa. A variety of malaria prophylaxes are available locally for much cheaper than the typical price in our home countries. For example, doxycycline is available for approximately US$3 for 100 tablets.

Most of Tanzania is a malaria risk zone. New members must take malaria prophylaxis. Ask for a list of suggested options for prophylaxis.

Be sure all vaccinations are logged in an International Vaccination Certificate. This is available in most clinics giving immunizations. The only vaccination required by law is Yellow Fever and must be stamped in this certificate. The recommendations for other current immunizations are:

• Tetanus/Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A (for those over 12 years of age)
• Hepatitis B
• Meningococcal
• Typhoid
• Polio (for those over 18 years of age)

Please also note:

• Hepatitis A and B require six (6) months between the first and last vaccination.
• Talk to us about your final living destination and the need for rabies vaccinations.
• Everyone should be current on his or her childhood vaccinations.
• Try to have all series of vaccinations completed before arrival, if at all possible.
• Know your blood type when you arrive here!