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Vowels at the end of words are normally short, as in ku-va (to come from), ku-gwa (to fall), ku-tya (to fear). In the genitive particle, however, and in certain words before ki? (what?), wa? (where?) and the personal possessives, they are pronounced (but not written) long, omutwe gwa Mukasa (Mukasa's head), olabye ki? (What have you seen?), ova wa? (Where do you come from?), ekiso kyange (my knife).