The Major Bantu Tribes in Uganda : The Bantu ethnic group is one of the four major ethnic groups in the country and it is the biggest of the four ethnic groups of Nilotic, Hamites, Nilo – Hamites and pygmies. Most of the Bantu speaking people are found in the central, eastern and western part of Uganda and some few who moved to either far east or northern Uganda. In Uganda, the Bantu people include; the Baganda, the Basoga, the Bagishu, the Batoro, the Banyankole, the Banyoro, Bahima to mention but a few. Thes different Bantu tribes speak different Bantu languages however, they have a common root one “Ntu”.
The Baganda Tribe
The Baganda are mainly found in the central part of Uganda and are the home to Kampala capital city of Uganda. The Baganda people form one of the largest tribes in Uganda. They are believed to have migrated thousands of years ago from the south western part of Africa along River Niger and occupied the central part of Uganda. The Baganda people are one of the most organised tribes in Uganda evident by the former British colonialists. They are led by a King Known as the kabaka in Luganda. The current King of Buganda is called Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi II. The Buganda Kingdom also has a UNESCO accredited world heritage site the Kasubi tombs where the 4 dead former kings were buried where one can have a Uganda cultural tour. The Baganda people speak Luganda language and have beautiful traditional dances like Bakisimba, Muwogola, Nankasa and have numerous folk songs about food, alcohol, fishing, death, women, children and educative ones. There are a lot of ancient stories about Buganda kingdom that shall indeed fulfil ones Uganda cultural tour at Buganda kingdom experience. The Baganda tribe covers districts of, Masaka, Luwero, Mubende, Mpigi, Kampala, Mukono, Sembabule, Rakai, Kalangala, kiboga, Wakiso to mention but a few.
The Basoga Tribe
The Basoga are a group of Bantu people found in the eastern part of Uganda also known as Busoga Region which consists of districts of Mayuge, Luuka, Namutumba, Kaliro, Jinja, Kamuli, Bugiri, Iganga, Namayingo, Bugweri and Buyende. Busoga region has one King locally known as the Kyabazinga of Busoga. The current Kyabazinga of Busoga is known as William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV. The language spoken by the Basoga people is Lusoga. The Basoga Kingdom is found in Jinja city also known as Uganda’s adventure city and it is filled with numerous tourist attractions. While on a Uganda cultural tour/safari, after one visiting the Busoga kingdom and learning about its structure, the stories and myths, the beautiful basoga traditional dance and songs, the Railway Museum, one can also add fun and thrilling activities such as white water rafting at Bujagali falls, visit the source of the Nile and Speke monument, engage in Bungee jumping, Zip lining, horseback riding along the shores of River Nile, sport fishing, Birdwatching at the shores of River Nile to mention but a few. One can also visit the different fish landing sites like Masese, the Sugar plantations and Factories in the Region to mention But a few.
The Batoro Tribe
The Batoro tribe are among Uganda’s organised tribes and are found in the western part of the country are also part of the Bantu Ethnic group. The main town for the Batoro is known as Fort Portal which is found in Kabarole. This tribe of Uganda is known for its beautiful and well-behaved women. The Batoro are organised Under one Kingdom known as the Toro kingdom that is headed by the King. locally known as Omukama and the current Omukama of Toro Kingdom is king Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and has been on throne since 3 and a half years. The Batooro culture has a rich and diverse heritage and the kingdom is located at the heart fort Portal the tourist city. While on a Uganda Cultural tour, one can visit the beautiful cultural spots at Fort portal such as amabere ga nyina Mwiru, Tooro Kingdom, Village walks and one can visit Semuliki national park, Sempaya hot springs, hike to mention but a few. The Batooro have beautiful traditional dances known as Entogoro or Orunyege and beautiful traditional songs. The Batoro People are mainly found in the districts of Kitagwenda, Kamwenge, Kasese, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, and Ntoroko.
The Banyankole Tribe
The tribe are a group of Bantu ethnic group found in south western part of Uganda commonly known as westerners by Ugandans. They are known for cattle rearing especially for dairy purposes and Usually rare Long horned known as Ankole cattle. The Banyankole women are known for their beauty as they are very curvy and nice-looking women with good skins. The Banyankole are not in any way organised under a Kingdom but they are very social and cooperative people and support each other as tribe mates. They speak Runyankole language and they have beautiful traditional dances known as Ekitaguriro dance and their women wear clothing called Mushanana and men wear busuti.
While on a Uganda Cultural tour one can visit the different parts of the country to be able to explore the different tribes and learn about them and explore the difficult beauty of tribes in Uganda.
