CHAPTER 51
THE OLD SOGA LANGUAGE
The language spoken in Busoga in the olden days was akin to Lunyoro and was known as ‘Pakoyo’ language. The Pakoyo language was the mother-tongue of a people known as Jo-pa-Lwo, the ancient Nyoro people who travelled to Bunyoro, Budama, Kavirondo, Acholi, Lango and Busoga. The people who lived in north Busoga were called ‘Bapokoyo’, these were mostly the people of Bugabula and Bulamogi.
This language was in use for many generations but it gradually died out owing to the following reasons:—
The people of the north opened up trade with the people who lived in the Sese Islands and who spoke a language that was akin to Luganda. This contact with a foreign language brought about the degeneration of the mother-tongue. The two languages were merged into one and a different language now spoken by most people in Busoga. The Pakoyo pure persisted in the following parts of Busoga : — Busiki, Bukono, Bugabula and across the river into Bugerere - Buganda. The same language is still spoken by Banyala, Baluli and Bagwere across the River Mpologoma.
The Pakoyo language helps to prove that the rulers in Busoga came from Bunyoro; even the people of Bunyoro know this to be true.