The Causative

In Luganda to express to cause something, the verb is modified, as in English, a different verb is used (Remember → Remind)

• Last syllable of a verb is LA, DA, GA, JA, RA, this syllable becomes ZA

  • -lwaala (To get sick) —--→ -lwaaza (To make sick)

  • -matira (To be satisfied) → -matiza (To satisfy)

  • -nnyogoga (To be cold) → -nnyogoza (To freeze)

• Last syllable of verb is TA or KA, this syllable becomes SA

  • -yita (To call/pass) → -yisa (To treat)

  • -kyuuka (To change (oneself)) → -kyuusa (To change (something))

• Last syllable of verb is SA and the last vowel of the stem is A, I, U, the final a becomes IZA

  • longoosa (To clean) → -longooseza (To cause cleaning)

• Last syllable of verb is ZA and the last vowel of the stem is A,I, U, the final a becomes IZA. If the last vowel is instead E, or O, it becomes EZA

  • -lowooza (To think) → -lowoozesa (To make think)

• Last syllable of verb is WA, the W turns into Y

  • -koowa (To be tired) → -kooya (To make tired)

• Last syllable of verb is BA, MA, NA, PA, or YA, the final a changes to isa or esa

  • -lwaana (To fight) → -lwaanyisa (To fight against)

  • -ewunya (To wonder) → -ewunyisa (To surprise)

  • -noonya (To search) → -noonyereza (To make research)

Irregular Causative Forms:

• -genda (To go) → -egendereza (To be careful)

• -yiga (To learn) → -yigiriza (To teach)

• -kola (To do) → -kozesa (To use)

• -mala (To end) → -maliriza (To finish off)

• -wa (To give) → -weereza (To send to)

• -noonya (To search) → -noonyereza (To make research)