Nakyerongosa, Uganda

by Asuman Kaggwa
(Nakyerongosa, Uganda)

A Ugandan girl washing dishes after a meal on a drying rack

In my country, Uganda the dominant tribe are the Baganda and the main language spoken is Luganda.

The religions which exist include the Protestant, Catholic, Islamic and the Pentecostals (born again).

Culturally, women and children do most household work including fetching water, firewood and washing clothes among others. Men leave their homes for employment and by 5.00 pm they are out in bars passing time. This means that men’s labor is abundant and it can be observed that some activities which women do can be shared with men hence relieving women from the burden of house work.

The community members engage in village meetings where they receive information of what is taking place in their village.

Socially, women participate in a number of social activities compared to men. Women have got “circles” and organized groups literally called “NIGINA” where they spend most of their free time exchanging gifts, attending wedding ceremonies and burial functions where men especially the villagers are very active. While women spend their free time in their ‘circles”, men do pass time in local bars with their peers.

Traditionally, the community holds burial ceremonies and funeral rites and such instances are respected. For instance, in case of death in the community, members do not carry out economic activities like cultivation and always work in groups to assist the bereaved party.

Economically, the community participates in some economic activities which include poultry rearing and farming as the major ones. However, a good number of men are engaged in construction activities like brick making, retail business in towns and hair saloons.