Culture & People
In Uganda, there are many different ethnic groups with different cultures. The Bantu-speaking people dominate much of East, central & south Africa and in Uganda, they form several tribes e.g Baganda, Bagisu, Basoga, batooro, Banyakole, Bakiga etc. In northern & eastern Uganda, the people who speak Nilotic languages dominate more including the Lango, Acholi, Iteso & Karamajong. A few Pygmies live isolated in the rainforests of western Uganda like the Batwa people who live near Bwindi.
English, the national language of Uganda is widely spoken followed by Luganda which is known by many people more than Swahili the trade language of East Africa. There are over 30 different languages spoken in Uganda. Traditional dance is part of the culture and most ceremonies or special occasions will have these dancers from different tribes. The ‘Kiganda’ dance from the Baganda tribe is the most widely recognized where it involves the performers moving their lower body to a drum beat while keeping the upper part controlled. The ‘Basoga’ tribe have a special dance called the ‘Tamenhaibunga’ which expresses the importance of love and friendship in society. Other tribes like the ‘Ankole’ tribe have other special kinds of dances and can be seen while at cultural centres like the Uganda museum or Ndere center in Kampala.
Food
Uganda has a lot of fertile agricultural land which can grow anything thus a great variety of food. The most common food grown is Matooke (green banana) which is peeled at the time of preparation and steamed in the banana leaves. It’s either served the way it is or mashed plus source either beef stew, beans, or G.nuts among others. Posho which is made from maize is also common and prepared in most schools since it’s cheap.
Fruits like Pineapple, watermelon, yellow bananas and mangoes are also common and can be bought from food markets like Owino & Nakasero. Lake Victoria & other lakes have a lot of fish including the ‘tilapia’ – a tasty freshwater fish that can be deep fried or cooked. Other foods include ‘Chicken Luwombo’ – which is a chicken sauce prepared in banana leaves. The ‘Rolex’, a popular street delicacy and snack is also popular in Uganda and was listed among the top African fast foods by CNN.
Did you know that some people visit certain destinations because of food? Food is part of all cultures, a major element of global intangible heritage and an increasingly important attraction for tourists. Ugandan cuisine consists of traditional and modern cooking styles, practices, foods and dishes with English, Arab, Asian and especially Indian influences.
Blessed with several cultures and native languages, Uganda’s communities have district traditional dishes. In central Uganda, you will be tantalized by the matooke and luwombo (plantains eaten with meat or chicken boiled in banana leaves). In Uganda also known as Buganda matooke is a respected dish and is prepared with so much art and care. It is a norm for all women and girls in Buganda to know how to peel and prepare the dish to the ultimate satisfaction of their families. Matooke is eaten mostly with groundnuts, beans, beef stew, chicken stew, and many others. It is a delicious dish one should try.
Luwombo
This is a traditional dish comprised of sauce steamed in banana leaves. It is locally known as “luwombo”, it is a special dish that graces important cultural ceremonies such as weddings, introductions, visitations and other festivals. The most common sauce prepared in luwombo includes chicken sauce, groundnut sauce and meat. Luwombo is one of the tastiest and truly traditional dishes prepared in Uganda. There are also many more fascinating dishes in many cultures of Uganda which you will discover on community visits around the country. Most of these foods are prepared in hotels and lodges and respective areas.
Malakwang
Malakwang is a northern Uganda dish made from leafy vegetables and ground nuts. Initially, the dish was a reserve for times of drought and food scarcity. It is now a famous dish eaten with many other foods such as millet bread and sweet potatoes.
Kalo
This is a staple food in northern, eastern and western Uganda. Millet flour is mixed with cassava flour in varying proportions and mingled using boiling water. The difference in taste, aroma and appearance of the dish is determined by the proportions in which the flours are mixed. In some cultures like the Toro kingdom in western Uganda, the dish is a must for many traditional ceremonies like child naming, visitations and marriage. Millet bread is also eaten with many sauces such as groundnuts, beans, vegetable sauce and mushroom sauce. In the western part of Uganda among the Banyankole try Eshabwe, it is a delicacy.
Bamboo shoots (Malewa)
This is a special dish in eastern Uganda. Malewa is a vegetable soup made from tender mountain bamboo shoots. It can be steamed, fried, mixed with groundnut paste or fish or eaten as a vegetable. The Bagishu trek to the forest of Mountain Elgon during the bamboo shoot growing season to harvest and dry the shoots.
Grasshoppers (Nsenene)
Grasshoppers are a delicacy among many in Uganda, especially for those who look forward to this time of year when millions of bugs hatch with the seasonal rains. When it is that season of the year, grasshoppers become a commercial activity in Uganda. Some rig bright lamps attract the insects, which then crash into strategically placed sheets and slide into barrels where they are trapped overnight. When fried with onion and a little salt, they turn golden brown and give a pleasant aroma loved by many. You can’t miss tasting this Ugandan nutritious delicacy.