Field

The Land

Uganda is located on a fertile plateau in the center of Africa at an average altitude of 4,000 feet. The plateau is bordered on the east by the Kenya Highlands and Mount Elgon (14,178 feet) and on the west by the Rwenzori Mountains (16,791 feet). It is crossed diagonally from southeast to northwest by the Nile River, which begins its journey to the Mediterranean near the town of Jinja on Lake Victoria, about 50 miles from the capital, Kampala.

Kampala has over a million residents and lies near the shores of Lake Victoria about 20 miles north of the Equator. Its altitude ranges from 3,622 to 4,500 feet. Built on a number of low-lying hills, the city is surrounded by green rolling countryside dotted with small farms. These farms grow mostly matooke bananas, cassava, and maize, the main staple foods of Uganda.

The People

The country is home to about 65 different ethnic groups and tribes. The largest such group is the Baganda, who account for 16.5% of the total population. Other Ugandan ethnic groups with a significant presence in the country include the Banyankole, Basoga, Bakiga, Iteso, Langi, and others.

English is the country’s official language. A large number of Niger-Congo languages are also spoken, with the most prominent one being the Ganda or Luganda.

Most Ugandans are Christians. Protestant Christians and Roman Catholics account for 45.1% and 39.3% of the population, respectively. Muslims are the second biggest religious group represented by 13.7% of the population.

The Missions Work

Though 84% of Ugandans identify as Christians, and of that, 33% as evangelical believers, there is a real need for sound doctrine and authentic Christian leadership across the country. Many church leaders in Uganda lack theological education, resulting in a preponderance of false teaching placing health, wealth, and prosperity at the center of the gospel. Meanwhile, Islam continues to grow throughout Uganda, and the opportunities to reach Muslims for Christ are quickly multiplying.