The primary religion in Uganda is Christianity, with 85% of the population, followed by Islam, but several other religions are practiced within the East African country.
Of the Christian denominations, Roman Catholicism is the most prominent, claiming more than 40% of the total population. Next, is the Anglican Church of Uganda, with more than 35%. This may be attributed to the fact that the Anglicans and the Catholics have been active within the country since shortly after European first came to the region. Something between 3% to 5% of those claiming to be Christians are members of other Protestant denominations or independent Christian organizations.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are active in Uganda, carrying out missionary activities in at least ten different languages. There are a couple of hundred Presbyterian congregations, split between the Presbyterian Church in Uganda and the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Uganda, the latter having separated from the former in 1990. Additionally, there are nearly thirty Mormon congregations in Uganda, as well as two history centers operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Quakers (Society of Friends) has two yearly meetings, and about three thousand followers in Uganda.
Between 10% and 12% of Ugandans are Muslims, the majority following Sunni Islam. Uganda’s Muslim population is concentrated in the Iganga District in eastern Uganda.
Perhaps 1% of Ugandans claim adherence to traditional African religions, but a larger number mix traditional religious practices with either Christianity or Islam. Smaller numbers practice other beliefs, such as Hinduism, Bahá’í, and Buddhism.
While Uganda has only a small Jewish population, there is a history of Judaism in the country. Some Ugandan ethnic tribes claim Jewish ancestry. One such tribe is the Abayudaya, a Baganda tribe in eastern Uganda that practices a form of Judaism, observing Shabbat and keeping kashrut. The Abayudaya live in several villages, some of which practice strict Orthodox Rabbinic Judaism and have learned Hebrew. They once numbered more than 3,000, but their numbers were sharply cut during the persecutions of the Idi Amin regime.
The Ugandan constitution guarantees freedom of religion. However, religions are required to register with the government, and some religions have been denied or restricted because they were considered to be cults. The Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Uganda, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, and the Orthodox Church are registered under the Trustees Incorporation Act, but other religious groups are registered annually as non-governmental organizations.
Buganda, a pre-colonial kingdom within the region that was to become Uganda, was the stage for a serious of religious wars, between Muslims and Christians, Protestants and Catholics, a well as a period, between 1885 and 1887, when forty-five Catholic and Anglican converts were killed on orders from the king of the Kingdom of Buganda, now known as the Uganda Martyrs. The period leading up to the Idi Amin administration was a period of ethnic strife, some of which had religious connotations and, of course, the Idi Amin administration was particularly brutal, but his persecution were more political and ethnic, rather than religious in nature. He did, however, outlaw Uganda’s small Jewish population and destroyed synagogues.
Although the modern-day Ugandan government has been involved in wars, corruption, and persecution of members of the gay community, it has not been known for religious persecutions. Uganda enjoyed favorable media attention for its interfaith programs in its capital city of Mbale, where the Mirembe Kawomera Fair Trade Cooperative has brought Muslim, Jewish, and Christian coffee farmers together, using music to spread a peace message.
Recommended Resources
The origins and history of the Anglican Church in Uganda began in 1875, and included a period of martyrdom beginning in 1885, and involving the executions of both Anglican and Catholic converts. The Church's administrative offices and contacts are posted, including its directorates, institutions, dioceses, and partnerships, along with media releases, photographs, video, and other resources.
http://churchofuganda.org/
A mission project of the Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church of Plymouth, Maine, the site's primary focus is on collecting funds to provide Bibles for the people of the Masaka region of eastern Uganda, where its work is based in the village of Kabaale. An overview of its mission is stated, and galleries of photographs and video demonstrate that work that it is undertaking. Contributions may be made through the site.
http://www.bibles4uganda.com/
Affiliated with the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, the Ugandan Church is fully sacramental and liturgical, fully evangelical and charismatic, and governed by consensus. Its doctrine and practices are set forth, with a statement of beliefs, and a history of the denomination. A directory of churches within the ICCEC is included. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.cecuganda.org/
EMCC was founded by Pastor Aaron Mutebi in 1991, the original church structure built of papyrus reeds and eucalyptus poles. Now, with a congregation of thousands, the church has planted more than a hundred daughter churches throughout Uganda. Its history, organizational structure, contacts, and a statement of faith are put forth, as well as its ministries, programs, educational opportunities, and services.
http://www.miraclepeople.com/
Evangelical Truth Ministries International is headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, but active throughout East Africa and elsewhere on the continent. Its objectives, missions, and networks are highlighted, including its peace center, children's and youth-centered ministries, radio ministries, and partnerships. Service locations, schedules, and testimonials are presented, including podcasts and sermon archives.
https://www.etminternational.org/
Holy Metropolis of Kampala & All Uganda
The Orthodox faith has been active in Uganda since the 1920s, and has been recognized by the government of Uganda since 1946. Headquartered in Namungoona, a suburb of the capital city of Kampala, its office locations and contacts are posted, along with its communities, brick and mortar churches, medical clinics, and hospitals. A directory of parishes, deaneries, and clergy is set forth, and its institutions, projects, and needs are discussed.
http://www.ugandaorthodoxchurch.co.ug/
Life Ministries Christian Centre
Organized in 1992, and based in Kampala, Uganda, the Evangelical Christian ministry has planted churches in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Several of it churches are highlighted on the site, and its programs to equip leaders, educate the coming generations, care for the sick, and assist the poor and the needy are outlined, including its farm and trust.
http://www.lmcc-africa.org/
Registered as an NGO in Uganda and as a charity in the United Kingdom, the Christian congregation is located in Masaka, Uganda. Its meeting location and schedules are published to the site, along with a history of the work, the challenges that the church is faced with, and its commitment to ensuring sustainability as a congregation. Through the site, visitors may opt to sponsor a child, conduct a fundraising event, support one of the ministries of the church, or contribute in other ways.
http://www.riveroflifeuganda.org/
Seventh-day Adventist Church Uganda Union
The organizational structure of the Seventh-day Adventist's work in Uganda is featured, including office hours and contacts, and an overview of its global mission, stewardship and development projects, Sabbath School and evangelistic mission, family ministries, women's ministries, educational programs, chaplaincy program, and health outlets. Services, projects, and events are discussed.
http://www.uu-adventist.org/
Featuring Catholic music from Uganda or Ugandan musicians, musical pieces are categorized by the order of mass, seasonal music, saints and feast days, special occasions, and general topics. Sheet music is also available, a calendar of events is published to the site, and contacts. Specific pieces may be found by choir name, location, category, or keyword. Lyrics are posted to the site, and comments may be left.
http://www.ugandacatholicmusic.com/
Organized for the purpose of supporting the work of the Church of Uganda and other Christian churches in Uganda, as well as furthering the same purposes in the United Kingdom. With a membership of people from the UK who have worked in Uganda, or visited it, as well as a number of Ugandan Christians in the UK, its membership policies and fees are posted, along with a directory of diocese and bishops of the Province of the Church of Uganda.
http://www.ugandachurchassociation.org/
