This article describes the larger tribes of Uganda by population. They are grouped by region, which shows how the languages of neighboring peoples are often related.
Northern Uganda
Northern Uganda features a mix of savannah grasslands, woodlands, and swamplands along with some mountainous areas.
The White Nile (also known as the Victoria Nile) and the Albert Nile are important rivers in the area. The region is bordered by South Sudan to the north and Kenya to the east. The Albert Nile is to the west.
The largest tribes in the region include:
- Acholi
- Alur
- Langi
- Lugbara
Let’s look closer at each of these peoples in turn.
Acholi
The Acholi people are predominantly found in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, and Agago. They also inhabit the southern part of South Sudan, in the Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria State.
The Acholi population in Uganda was 1.47 million people in the 2014 census.
The Acholi language is also called Luo or Lwo. It is a Western Nilotic language that is part of the larger Nilo-Saharan language family.
The language is closely related to other Luo languages spoken in the region, such as Alur and Lango.
The Acholi people have faced significant challenges in recent history, particularly during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, which led to massive displacement, violence, and trauma.
Alur
The Alur people are predominantly found in the northwestern part of Uganda, particularly in the districts of Nebbi, Zombo, and parts of Pakwach.
They also inhabit the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically in the Ituri and Haut-Uele provinces.
The Alur population in Uganda was about 878 thousand in the 2014 census.
The Alur language is also known as Lwo or Aluru. It is closely related to other Luo languages spoken in the region, such as Acholi and Lango.
Langi
The Langi people (also known as Lango) are primarily located in the Lango sub-region of Northern Uganda.
The sub-region includes the districts of Apac, Alebtong, Amolatar, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Oyam, and Otuke.
The Lango population in Uganda was 2.1 million in the 2014 census.
The Lango language is also known as Leblango. It is a Western Nilotic language that is part of the larger Nilo-Saharan language family. The language is closely related to other Luo languages spoken in the region, such as Acholi and Alur.
Lugbara
The Lugbara people live in the West Nile sub-region, particularly in the districts of Arua, Maracha, and Koboko.
They also have a presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically in the Ituri and Haut-Uele provinces.
The Lugbara population in Uganda was about 1.1 million people in the 2014 census.
The Lugbara language is part of the Central Sudanic language family. The language is closely related to other Central Sudanic languages spoken in the region, such as Madi, Moru, and Avokaya.
Central Uganda
Central Uganda is home to the country’s capital, Kampala, and the largest ethnic group in Uganda, the Baganda people.
The landscape consists mainly of rolling hills, flat plains, and wetlands, with Lake Victoria dominating the southern part of the region.
The next section discusses the Baganda.
Baganda
The Baganda people, also known as Ganda, are the largest ethnic group in Uganda, making up around 17% of the country’s population.
They primarily inhabit the Buganda region, which includes the districts of Kampala, Mpigi, Mukono, and Wakiso, among others.
The Baganda population was about 5.6 million people in the 2014 census.
Their Luganda language is also known as Ganda or Oluganda. It is a Bantu language that is part of the larger Niger-Congo language family.
Luganda is one of the major languages spoken in Uganda and serves as a lingua franca in the Buganda region and beyond.
The Buganda Kingdom, one of the oldest and most influential traditional kingdoms in East Africa, continues to play a significant role in the region’s sociopolitical and cultural landscape.
Western Uganda
The landscape of Western Uganda is diverse, featuring highlands, mountains, rift valleys, and numerous lakes, including Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake George.
The Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” are a notable feature of the region. The highest peak, Margherita, reaches 5,109 meters (16,763 feet).
The region is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the west, and Rwanda and Tanzania to the south.
The Batoro people are the main tribe in this region.
Batoro
The Batoro people are an ethnic group predominantly found in western Uganda, particularly in the Toro Kingdom. Their region includes the districts of Kabarole, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge, and Kyenjojo, among others.
The Batoro population was around 811,000 people in the 2014 census.
The Rutooro language is also known as Rutoro, Orutooro, or Toro. It is a Bantu language that is part of the larger Niger-Congo language family.
Rutooro is closely related to other Bantu languages spoken in the region, such as Luganda, Runyankole, and Rukiga.
The Toro Kingdom is one of the traditional kingdoms in Uganda. The Omukama (king) serves as a cultural leader and symbol of unity for the Batoro people.
The kingdom has a long history, dating back to the 19th century when it seceded from the Bunyoro Kingdom.
Southwestern Uganda
Southwestern Uganda is bordered by Rwanda to the south, Tanzania to the southeast, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the west.
The area is characterized by a hilly landscape, fertile soils, and numerous lakes, including parts of Lake Victoria and Lake Bunyonyi.
The major tribes include:
- Banyankole
- Bakiga
Banyankole
The Banyankole people, also known as Ankole or Nkore, are primarily found in southwestern Uganda, particularly in the districts of Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, and Isingiro, among others.
The Banyankole population was around 3.2 million people in the 2014 census.
The Runyankole language is also known as Nkore or Orunyankole. It is a Bantu language that is part of the larger Niger-Congo language family.
Runyankole is closely related to other Bantu languages spoken in the region, such as Rukiga, Rutooro, and Runyoro.
The traditional kingdom of Ankole, which was abolished by the Ugandan government in 1967, still holds cultural significance for the Banyankole people.
Bakiga
The Bakiga people are primarily found in southwestern Uganda, particularly in the districts of Kabale, Rukiga, and Rubanda, among others.
They also inhabit parts of Rwanda, especially in the northern region.
The Bakiga population was around 2.4 million people in Uganda in the 2014 census.
The Rukiga language is also known as Kiga or Chiga. It is a Bantu language that is part of the larger Niger-Congo language family.
Rukiga is closely related to other Bantu languages spoken in the region, such as Runyankole, Rutooro, and Runyoro.
The traditional Bakiga religion is animistic, with a belief in a supreme deity called Ruhanga or Kazooba, who is the creator and controller of all things.
Eastern Uganda
Eastern Uganda features diverse landscapes, including flat plains, rolling hills, and swamplands. The region is known for Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano that straddles the Uganda-Kenya border.
The Nile River, the world’s longest river, has its source in Jinja, Eastern Uganda, at Lake Victoria. The river flows northwards through Uganda and Sudan before finally reaching Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea.
The largest tribes are:
- Bagisu
- Iteso
- Basoga
Bagisu
The Bagisu people are also known as Bamasaba or Gisu. They are predominantly found in eastern Uganda, particularly in the Bugisu sub-region, which includes the districts of Mbale, Manafwa, Bududa, Sironko, and Bulambuli, among others.
The Bagisu people also inhabit parts of western Kenya, especially in the areas neighboring Uganda.
The Bagisu population in Uganda was about 1.6 million people in the 2014 census.
Their Lugisu language is also known as Gisu, Llugisu, or Masaba. It is a Bantu language, part of the larger Niger-Congo language family.
Lugisu is closely related to other Bantu languages spoken in the region, such as Luganda and Luyia.
Iteso
The Iteso people are also known as Teso or Ateso. They are predominantly found in eastern Uganda, particularly in the Teso sub-region, which includes the districts of Soroti, Kumi, Katakwi, Ngora, Serere, Amuria, and Kaberamaido, among others.
The Iteso people also inhabit parts of western Kenya, especially in the Busia and Bungoma counties.
The Iteso population in Uganda was about 2.4 million people in the 2014 census.
Their Ateso language is also known as Teso or Iteso. It is a Nilotic language that is part of the larger Nilo-Saharan language family.
Ateso is closely related to other Nilotic languages spoken in the region, such as Luo, Karamojong, and Turkana.
Basoga
The Basoga people are also known as Soga. They are predominantly found in eastern Uganda, particularly in the Busoga sub-region, which includes the districts of Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Bugiri, and Mayuge, among others.
The Basoga population in Uganda was around 3 million people in the 2014 census.
Their Lusoga language is also known as Soga or Olusoga. It is a Bantu language that is part of the larger Niger-Congo language family. Lusoga is closely related to other Bantu languages spoken in the region, such as Luganda, Luyia, and Lunyole.