Uganda

The precolonial history of Uganda is not well recorded, since genealogy was the only method employed by the early settlers in the area. At the time of the first exploration of Uganda, there were three main kingdoms, each ruled by a monarch and laws and customs of their own. The kingdoms of Buganda, Kitara (sub-divided into Bunyoro and Toro) and Karagwe are all well documented by early explorers. It is believed that these kingdoms originated around the 16th century, the land before that probably being occupied by Bushmen. The Bantu originated from the west coast of Africa, migrating along the Niger River, and occupied the northern, central and western parts of Uganda. The eastern part of Uganda, occupied some 250 years ago by the Nilo-Hamitic tribes, never formed a kingdom because the people were nomadic and the area was not well suited to agriculture.

There are four main ethnic groups in Uganda, which all have different origins.

• The Bantu, by far the largest in number, came from the west and include the tribes of Buganda, Banyankole, Basoga, Bakiga, Batoro, Banyoro, Banyarwanda, Bagisu, Bagwere and Bakonjo.
• The Nilotics, who came from the north, include the Lango, Acholi, Alur, Padhola, Lulya and Jonam.
• The NiloHamitics include the Teso, Karamojong, Kumam, Kakwa, Sebei, Pokot, Labwor and Tepeth, and the Sudanics include the Lugbara, Madi and Lendu.
• The Hamites are mostly constituted by the Bahima.

These tribes engaged in the long distance trade with the Arabs and some of their neighbors.

The first Europeans set foot in Uganda in 1862 as explorers and were followed by missionaries. Following religious wars between converted Protestants and Anglicans in Buganda, a British protectorate administration took control of the region in 1896. Independence movements of the 1950s came to fruition in 1962 when Uganda was granted self-rule. In 1971 a military coup toppled the country's first government. Army commander Idi Amin took control, looting the country and killing opponents and members of their tribes. After eight years of Amin's misrule, Uganda was an economic and social disaster. Thousands starved to death or were killed.

The dictatorial regime of Idi Amin (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents. Guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton Obote from 1980 to 1985 claimed the lives of at least another 100,000 people. Uganda has experienced relative stability and economic growth since 1986. A constitutional referendum in 2005 canceled a 19-year ban on multi-party politics.

Source: The World Factbook, 2014.

Art

Ugandans produce woven textiles, pottery, sculpture, oral poetry, ritual dance and drama.

Music

Ugandan music includes traditional and cultural dance and singing, drums and African instruments.

Language

Luganda: Olyotya? (How are you?), Gyendi. (I am well.), Nze bampita ... (My name is …), Webale. (Thank you.)

Runyankole/Rukiga: Agandi? (How are you?), Nimarungyi. (I am well.), Nibanyeta ... (My name is …), Webare. (Thank you.)

Sports & Games

Ugandans enjoy soccer, boxing, basketball, golf and cricket. Recreational activities within the country include mountain hiking/climbing, watching gorillas, fishing, whitewater rafting, sailing and bird watching.

Typical Foods

Ugandans eat many foods, including bananas, corn, rice, sweet potatoes, cassava, beans and indigenous vegetables.

The typical school year runs from January to November. Education is encouraged and seen in most parts of the country as a very important stepping stone to success. Education is not compulsory, but to encourage parents to take their children to school, the government has established the Universal Primary Education policy where four children from each family have their education costs subsidized in government-run schools. There are plans to extend this to the secondary school level. Most Ugandans attend primary education from age 6 through 13.

Makerere University, the biggest and oldest university in East Africa, is located in Kampala. For several decades, this was the only university in Uganda. However, in recent years, several universities have emerged to give options to the increasing number of students.

Some communities have resisted education. But overall, the attitude toward education has improved greatly and the graduate rate continues to increase.

The constitution provides for freedom of religion. In many areas, particularly in rural settings, some religions tend to be syncretistic. Deeply held traditional indigenous beliefs commonly are blended into or observed alongside the rites of recognized religions, particularly in areas that are predominantly Christian.

Missionary groups of several denominations are present and active in the country, including the Pentecostal Church, the Baptist Church, the Episcopal Church/Church of Uganda, the Church of God and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Private Koranic and Christian schools are common. In public schools, religious instruction is optional and the curriculum covers world religions rather than instruction in one particular religion. There are also many private schools sponsored by religious groups that offer religious instruction according to the school's affiliation. These private schools are open to students of other faiths, but they usually do not offer minority religious instruction.

Source: International Religious Freedom Report, released in 2012 by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.

New Year’s Day: Jan. 1

Liberation Day: Jan. 26

Women’s Day: March 8

Easter Week: March/April

Labor Day: May 1

Martyrs’ Day: June 3

Heroes’ Day: June 9

Independence Day: Oct. 9

Christmas: Dec. 25 — The Christmas season is the most important holiday of the year in Uganda and is very festive. Shopping is popular and usually begins the first week of December. Gifts, clothes and Christmas cards are purchased. Caroling is also popular Uganda also observes Muslim holidays.