Uganda’s cultural diversity can be traced right back from the existence of kingdoms and chiefdoms. Kingdoms and chiefdoms unified creating pride among the people with joy-filled in their hearts that explains the reason for the trademark of being one of the most hospitable countries and exceptional destination for her (Uganda) hospitality world over.
The multi-ethnic grouping in the country hails from the migration in the early 18th and 19th centuries that had people coming from different directions to settle around the great lakes region. Later with the arrival of colonialists, boundaries were put in place forming Uganda with groups as Bantu found in the central and whole western area including the Basoga, Baganda, Batooro, Banyankole, Banyoro and Bikiga with all with individual languages among others.
The Nilotic group is yet another grouping dominating the Northern region with Langi, Luo, Acholi and Japherdola. To the East, we find the Itesots, Karamajong and Gishu believed to have originated from the neighbouring areas. All the above groups are responsible for the multilingual nature of Uganda with over 52 languages used, but English has been a unifying language in the equator lying country and some cases Swahili.
Other than language and ethnic grouping, the country’s culture can be related to the following aspects as;
Religion has taken transitions from African traditional religion as an ancient source of divine intervention. That includes traditional herbalists, people with supernatural powers and gods to provide a necessity role. Later in the early 19th century, the Islam and Christianity took footing till to date constituting to 12% and 83.2% respectively while the other percentage represents the Hindu, Bahai, Buddhism, Sikhs and non-religious (Agnosticism and Atheism) among others.
The dress code among the citizens is unique and believed to fetch utmost respect, the men adorn the white/creamy tunics (Khanzu) while ladies take the Gomesi with sash fitted in their waists; also Mishanna busuuti and suuka are appreciated. Far southwestern Uganda, the ladies are famous for wearing long, loose skirts and tie matching clothes across their shoulders for decency and always worn on social functions such as give away, introduction and wedding ceremonies to mention but a few.
Dancing and beer festivals are a source of happiness and unity in most parts of the country, and this is done by the help of talented members of the community to play instruments like drums, local guitars, calabashes (Agwara), flute as they feast on harvests and local brew known as Ajon alias malwa. For all ceremonies and special functions as can be noted from the Runyege dance from Banyoro and “Ekitaguro” from South Western Uganda and notable Basoga dance “Tamenhaibunga” literally translated into as “good friends drink and dance together to avoid fighting that could break the gourd that holds the drink (beer).
Relatedly, when it comes to cuisines, the starchy foodstuffs are the base to most of the dishes served, such as cassava, rice, matooke alias green banana, Maize meal (ugali), Millet, and African sweet potatoes. Beans, g-nuts and beef stew or fish serve as a sauce. Wealthier families enjoy an array of a balanced diet with courses all influenced by euro-Asian and Arabian flavours. Therefore, enjoying handcrafted meals in families is a solution to hunger and malnutrition disorders. The equatorial climate provides cooling breezes from the mountains, and the lush vegetation which results into munificent rainfall in two rainy seasons, which fall around April and November for the constant supply of fresh recipes for dishes served in Uganda.
