Uganda is not only a country richly blessed with lots of wildlife, birds, great weather, breath taking landscapes, but also with a rich diversity of untapped culture and heritage. Unlike other countries in the world, Uganda is among the greatest countries with many Bantu speaking groups with varying cultures in terms of Values, norms, beliefs, customs, signs, virtues and morals.
Since Uganda has got four regions that’s, Central region, Eastern region, Western region and northern region all these regions have got different tribes but in central region Baganda are the major dominants, in eastern region, tribes such as Basoga, Bagwere, Banyole, Bamasaba, Itesots and Karamajongs with their interesting cultures among others that’s their part, in the northern region Madis, Lugubaras and Acholis are the settlers, in the western region, Batoros. Bakiga, Banyankole, Bakonzo and the Batwa in the Kabale trails
Uganda is ethnologically diverse, with at least 40 languages in usage. Luganda is the most common language. English and Swahili are the official languages of Uganda, even though only a relatively small proportion of the population speaks Kiswahili. Communication becomes almost impossible without having mastered those languages. Swahili, the East African language, is relatively widespread as a trade language and was made an official national language in September 2005. Luganda, a language widespread in central Uganda, has been the official vernacular language in education for central Uganda for a long time.
In all of the Bantu speaking areas of Uganda, a dialect continuation is very common. For example, people around Mbarara speak Runyankore and people from Fort Portal in Kabalore District speak Tooro, but in the area between those towns, there are villages where most of the people speak a dialect that is best characterized as intermediate between Nkole and Tooro. In recognition of the closeness of four of these languages (Nkole, Tooro, Kiga, and Nyoro), and to facilitate work in them such as teaching, a standardized version called “Runyakitara” was developed around 1990.
In south central Uganda, the Bantu languages of Luganda and Soga are largely inter intelligible. This dialectic similarity also extends to the Lussese language spoken in the Ssese Islands of Lake Victoria.
Uganda has a very strong cultural heritage, indeed for any person to enjoy his/her safaris he/she must entertain before finishing the safari. Many regions in Uganda have kingdoms including Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro and Toro. Ugandans are remarkably hospitable and hail from a diversity of rich cultures and life styles, each tribe has its own traditional dance ; The Banyankole perform their Kitagururo dance , the Banyoro have their Runyege , Acholi have the Bwora and Otole dances . The Alur people from the West Nile have the traditional Agwal dance, Bagisu have the Imbalu dance during circumcision ceremonies and the Baganda with their Bakisimba-Muwogola dance.
Culture and traditions are also expressed through a wide range of arts and Crafts made from wood, Papyrus, reeds and local materials. These include black smith implements, beaded Jewellery, wood carvings and mats, chairs and . They can be found all over the city, in village bazaars, gift shops, hotels, urban galleries and the National Theatre Craft Market. While on your Uganda travel or safari, consider taking on a cultural tour to the known destination.