In the heart of Buganda, where the echoes of history intertwine with the rhythms of modernity, few stories capture the ingenuity of our ancestors as vividly as the origins of the Luganda word “galubindi”—the term for eyeglasses. It is a tale that speaks to the curiosity, adaptation, and linguistic creativity of the Baganda people.
A HOSPITAL, A VISION, AND A NAME
The year was 1897. Uganda was undergoing profound transformations under colonial rule. Amid these changes, Mengo Hospital—established by British missionary Dr. Albert Cook—opened its doors as the first medical center in the country. Over time, as medical knowledge spread, the hospital introduced specialized treatments, including ophthalmology.
It was within these walls that a milestone in Uganda’s medical history took place. The first recorded recipient of prescription glasses was Eliphaz Lubindi, a resident of Kabalagala Kikubamutwe. For the first time, a native Muganda walked through the streets of his homeland adorned with what must have seemed like a strange contraption—glasses that corrected vision.
As Lubindi resumed his daily life, his transformation did not go unnoticed. The sight of a man wearing lenses before his eyes sparked both amazement and bewilderment among the people.
“AMAASO GA LUBINDI GEEWUNYISA!”
In a time when most ailments were attributed to supernatural causes and the power of traditional herbs, the concept of wearing corrective lenses was both foreign and mystical. Villagers gawked at Lubindi’s glasses, whispering in awe:
“Amaaso ga Lubindi geewunyisa!”
(“Lubindi’s eyes are astonishing!”)
This reaction soon became a common refrain, and as more people sought optical treatment, they would be asked:
“Naawe baakuwadde agaalubindi?”
(“You have also been given Lubindi’s eyes?”)
Over time, the phrase evolved into “galubindi”, solidifying itself in Luganda vocabulary as the word for eyeglasses.
A TESTAMENT TO BAGANDA CREATIVITY
The story of galubindi is more than just an anecdote—it is a testament to the Baganda people’s ability to assimilate foreign concepts into their cultural and linguistic fabric. Like a river that carves its path through the hills, Buganda’s language and traditions have absorbed global influences without losing their authenticity.
This linguistic evolution is mirrored in many other Luganda words derived from historical encounters. For instance:
Eggerege (trousers) came from the Swahili word suruali but evolved in pronunciation.
Ekidaala (a chair) is believed to have originated from the English word stool but was localized to fit Luganda phonetics.
The ability of a society to name and redefine foreign objects is a mark of resilience, adaptability, and ownership. The Baganda have long practiced this, ensuring that borrowed influences become seamlessly interwoven with their indigenous identity.
FROM LUBINDI TO MODERN UGANDA
Today, eyeglasses are commonplace. From students in classrooms to elders reading the Bible, spectacles are no longer an object of bewilderment but a necessity. The once-miraculous “eyes of Lubindi” have become part of everyday life, yet the linguistic imprint remains—a silent but enduring nod to a man whose name unknowingly became a linguistic cornerstone.
As the Luganda proverb goes:
“Ebigambo bya bakulu tebifa, bimera nga ensangi.”
(“The words of the elders never die; they grow like mushrooms.”)
Indeed, the name galubindi has transcended generations, an unshaken monument in the rich tapestry of Buganda’s history. It is a reminder that the wisdom of our ancestors—whether in language, medicine, or innovation—continues to shape our present and illuminate our future.
