Baganda in United States

Introduction / History

Bagandas dwell in Buganda, a kingdom of Uganda northwest of Lake Victoria, the headwater of the Nile River. As the largest Bantu people group, they are often called the King’s Men—a name indicative of their status in the region as the largest of fifteen monarchies in Uganda. These monarchies were abolished in 1967. This was reversed in 1993, when the Buganda monarchy was restored as a ceremonial monarchy in order to preserve cultural heritage. The people speak Ganda.

Most live in Uganda, but others live in nearby Kenya and Tanzania. Others have migrated to the United Kingdom, the United States, or Canada.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Bagandas who migrate to Western nations like the United States are usually well-educated. Some come as students to learn skills desired in Western nations, then they take on professional jobs there. Those who mastered the English language before they arrived have an easier time getting jobs than those who have language difficulties.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Christian missionaries first entered Buganda in 1876. At that time, the Baganda worshiped gods of the Balubaale religion. Today, though, Christianity is the majority religion, split evenly between Catholic and Protestant.

In the U.S., the Bagandas either attend church services with the majority population, or they find churches that have an African flavor.

What Are Their Needs?

The Bagandas need a spiritual revival that will draw them closer to Christ and bless them for eternity.

Prayer Points

Pray that the love of the Baganda believers abounds in knowledge and depth of insight so that they might be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, full of the fruit of righteousness that comes through him.
May their lips offer up a continual sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess Jesus as Lord.
Pray for them to take the gospel to Africans in the U.S. who don’t have the chance to embrace Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project