Tribes In Uganda

Uganda is a multicultural nation with a rich diversity of tribes and ethnic groups. Among the most prominent are the Baganda, the largest group, followed by the Banyankole, Basoga, Bakiga, Iteso, Langi, Acholi, Bagisu, Lugbara, and Karamojong, according to Sites Travel. These groups speak various languages and have unique customs and traditions. 

Here's a little more about some of the major tribes:

• Baganda: The largest group, inhabiting the central region, including Kampala. They speak Luganda and are known for their cultural dances like Bakisimba. 

• Banyankole: Primarily cattle keepers in the southwest, known for long-horned cattle. 

• Basoga: Residing in the eastern region, along Lake Victoria. 

• Bakiga: Southwestern people known for their resilience and terraced farming. 

• Acholi: Primarily found in the north, with Gulu as their cultural center. 

• Langi: Also in the northern region, closely related to the Acholi. 

• Karamojong: Pastoralists in the northeastern region. 

• Iteso: Found in the eastern region, known for storytelling and agriculture. 

• Lugbara: Inhabiting the northwest, they are known for their unique cultural practices. 

• Bagisu: Located in the eastern region, known for the Imbalu circumcision ceremony. 

Baganda

The Baganda, also known as the Ganda people belong to the Bantu ethnic group of Buganda, a subnational kingdom in central Uganda.

The Baganda are composed of 52 traditional clans or totems and are the largest ethnic group in Uganda accounting to 17 percent of the population. Baganda are led by a king known as “Kabaka” of Buganda kingdom and the current kabaka is Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

The population of Baganda is estimated to be around 6.8 million according to data of 2018 with part of that population living in diaspora majorly in countries like United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, South Africa, among others.

The language spoken by Baganda is known as Luganda and it is also the most spoken local language in Uganda. Some of the major clans of Baganda include Mamba, Mpologoma, Njovu, Mbogo, Kkobe, Lugave, Nkima, Ngabi, Nte, Ndiga, among others.

The districts occupied by Baganda include Kampala (the capital city), Mukono, Mpigi, Masaka, Luwero, Mubende, Kibogga, Wakiso, Kayunga, Rakai, Sembabule, among others.

The Baganda and the Buganda kingdom at large have a long history of dominance in the Great Lakes region where it is reported that the kingdom expanded its boundaries through conquering other weaker kingdoms. Their success in the expansion wars is attributed to their high level of organization and loyalty to the king.

Banyankole

The Banyankole are bantu speaking people that settled in Ankole region between 10th and 15th centuries. They are primarily found in the southwestern Uganda in what was famously known as Ankole kingdom. The Banyankole are closely related to the Bakiga, Banyoro and Batoro. This is one of the tribes in Uganda known for rearing long horned cattle. Traditionally the Banyankole community is divided into two social classes, the Bahima and Bairu. The Bahima were primarily the cattle herders whereas the Bairu were the agriculturalists. The Banyankole speak Runyankole a bantu language closely related to Runyoro, Rutoro and Rukiga.

Bakiga

The Bakiga or Kiga people (“people from the mountains”), are part of Bantu ethnic group found in southwestern Uganda and in northern Rwanda. The language spoken by the Bakiga is called Rukiga, a Bantu dialect. Bakiga are mainly farmers in terms of economic activities and the major crops grown include potatoes, Irish potatoes, bananas, sorghum, millet, vegetables and groundnuts.

Acholi People

Acholi

The Acholi are found in Northern Uganda and they occupy an area commonly known as Acholiland. They are found in districts including Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Nwoya, Lamwo, and Pader.

The Acholi population is estimated to be between 1.5 and 2 million, with the 2002 Uganda census indicating that they were approximately 1.17 million. Some of the Acholi population is living in South Sudan as a Luo nation in Magwi County.

The main language for the Acholi is known as Luo or Lwo and it is mutually intelligible with Lango, Alur, and other Luo languages.

Bagisu

The Gisu people are also known as Bamasaba of Elgon region in eastern Uganda famously known as the Bugisu region in Uganda. The Bagisu are closely related to the Bukusu people of western Kenya. They mainly occupy districts like Mbale, Bududa, and Sironko on the slopes of Mount Elgon.

In Uganda, the Bagisu are mainly known for carrying out the Imbalu ceremony through which their men are circumcised in a traditional way. The Imbalu ceremony is carried out in every even year from the month of August to the end of the year. The language spoken by the Gisu is known as Lumasaba or Lugisu.

Bagwere

The Bagwere also known as The Gwere people live in eastern Uganda in the districts of Budaka, Pallisa, Kibuku, and Butebo. The language spoken by Bgwere is known as Lugwere. The Bagwere have got many clans that originate from different tribes including Mubbala Kinyu Samuka Balamu Balalaka-Bengoma clan, among others. They mainly practice subsistence farming as the main economic activity though other activities like fishing, fish farming and bee keeping are increasingly being practiced. The main crops grown by the Bagwere include cassava, millet, sorghum, maize, groundnuts, beans, peas, sweet potatoes, rice, cotton, sunflower, soyabeans, and bananas. The common animals kept include cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and pigs.

Batooro

The Batooro are a Bantu ethnic group in western Uganda mainly settling in the districts of Fort portal, Hoima, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Bulisa and Kibale. The language spoken by the Batooro is known as Rutooro and it is closely related to Runyankole and Runyoro. Traditionally the Batooro belong to Tooro Kingdom that is ruled by a king locally known as “Omukama”.

Karamojong

The Karamojong are one of the most remote tribes in Uganda living in the north-eastern region in districts like Moroto, Kotido, Napak and Kaabong. They are regarded as hostile basing on their history of fighting with their neighboring communities like the Maasai across in Kenya due the vile of cattle rustling that take place between these two communities. The Karamojong are known to be very protective to their cows and this makes them to be hostile to anyone they may consider to be a threat to both their animals and the land they use to graze them.