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The Abayudaya is a Luganda acronym to mean the Jewish people of Uganda. Started in 1919 by a colonial administrator Semei Kakungulu whose background was a Moslem/Christian and after reading some versus in the Old Testament, he circumcised his followers and declared himself a Jew from the tribe of Judah. Since then, the Abayudaya have been practicing Judaism through the generations that came after him. In 1975, the Abayudaya faced persecution by then dictator president Iddi Amin Dada; his cult belief in Islam could not tolerant freedom of worship to the Jewish people. The Jews endured very tough times during the regime. The Abayudaya could only hide in caves and houses for Shabbat services and high holidays. Many were detained without trial and others forced to abandon Judaism. By the year 1986, Addi Amin’s government had been overthrown by the combined East African forces together with the help of international communities. A small group that persisted during the terrible time started regrouping after Iddi Amin reign. They formed a kibbutz at Nabugoye hills in Mbale as one of their strategy to mobilize others who had given up. 

By the year 2000, the community had spread into four major Jewish communities in Eastern Uganda i.e. Nabugoye HQ in Mbale, Namanyonyi, Nasenyi in Budaka district and Namutumba in Namutumba district. In the year 2002, Abayudaya community had their first group conversion which was conducted by the Masorit olami conservative Rabbis based in the United States. About 2000 members underwent Beit din and Brit atafdat. In 2008, the community got its first trained rabbi (Gershom sizomu) ordained from a yeshiva in the United States. Gershom is also the area member of parliament for Bunghokho North constituency in Mbale. A trained Rabbi meant a lot to Abayudaya who previously could only depend on a Bible (Old Testament) as the only source of guide in their worship, the Torah, siddurim and Chumushim replaced the Bible. New communities have emerged up as a result of continued teaching and these include; Nalubembe, Marom Kampala and Al kalua kasuku in Kenya. The Abayudaya has an estimated population of about 3000 Jews scattered in different district of Uganda. The community currently boost with a Jewish elementary school, high school and a health center. The Jewish schools offer Hebrew and Judaism classes to Abayudaya children. The two schools and a hospital are a harbor for peace and unity in the region where interfaith is tolerated for Education and employment. 

The strong relationship/pattern ship with broader Jewish world has seen several of Abayudaya graduate in colleges and universities.

The Abayudaya students have managed to work in US summer camps and take the first ever Israel birthright trip in 2018. Besides of the above achievements, that the community has witnessed in the years down, the Abayudaya still face several challenges which includes: uncertainties surrounding recognition by the state of Israel, difficult health concerns, unemployment, poverty and low levels of Educated and working class, which pause serious threat on the future self-sustainability of the community. 

Despite of the challenges, there are still so many reasons to smile.... So many reasons to join hands to celebrate 100th Anniversary. #Congratulations!!! To All #Abayudaya Friends and patterns #Be'chal lashon, #Kulanu, #FJMC HQ amongst others

Also since we have many Jewish communities there is availability of kosher food and many synagogues for prayer especially while in Kampala and eastern Uganda.

Below are photos of some synagogues both in Kampala and Mbale in eastern Uganda.

4-day itinerary

Day 1: Kampala – Jinja 

Have an early morning breakfast, thereafter drive to the East, to Jinja district, along the way you will have a lot of sights to see, and you will not be bored in any way since there is a lot to see. Have a stopover around Sezibwa Falls for a guided nature walk and sightseeing. Thereafter, head to Mabira forest where you will engage in a nature walk through the forest, here you will see a number of monkeys, different types of tree species, birds among others. Later, proceed to Jinja passing through different sugar and tea plantations. On reaching Jinja visit the Bujagali falls, later take a boat to the source of the Nile and also visit Samuka Island where you will have a great time viewing birds.

In the evening check in at the hotel, have dinner and an overnight

Day 2: Jinja-Mbale

After breakfast, after briefing by your driver guide, you will visit Sipi falls and neighboring areas, head back to your lodge for lunch as you prepare to visit nabugoye synagogue and kakungulus grave in the evening. Have dinner and Overnight at the lodge of your choice

Day 3: Hiking Mount Elgon

Rise up early and have breakfast, after set out with packed lunch. Meet the park guides who will brief you and are ready to guide you through the trails on the mountains, there will also be porters that can help carry your luggage just in case it’s heavy. You will start with any trail such as Kapkwai, Kapkwata, or Budadiri Forest exploration center. During the hike you will have a great adventurous time. Later, return back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and Overnight

Day 4: Mount Elgon – Kampala/Entebbe

Early morning, descend then travel back to Mbale town. After having lunch in this calm place we will continue to Kampala or Entebbe as you relax and reflect your climb of the second highest summit in Uganda. 

End of tour

7 Day Uganda Cultural Safari – Discover Uganda’s Culture

summary of the safari

7 Days Cultural Safari Uganda – Attending & participating in cultural events including Ndere center, Kasubi tombs, Bahai temple, and Namugongo Martyrs shrine where 22 Christian convicts were killed during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga in 1886 (King of Buganda), visit the ancestral cave and the various Rock paintings & others with staying in Kampala’s hotels.

Safari highlights

Day 1, Kampala City Tour 

Day 2: Cultural Training at Ndere Centre

Day 3: Cultural competitions

Day 4, Visit the Source of the Nile, Bujagali and Tororo 

Day 5, Tororo Rock Hill 

Day 6: tororo-Mbale

Day 7, Transfer back to Kampala

Day 1, Kampala City Tour 

Upon Arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be picked by our company representative who will be your guide and then transfer to your hotel. Early arrivals will give you a chance to have a city tour to the famous Kasubi Tombs of the Buganda kings, Uganda museum, Bahai temple and Namugongo Martyrs shrine where 22 Christian convicts were killed during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga in 1886 (King of Buganda). Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your reservation.

Day 2: Cultural Training at Ndere cultural Centre

After breakfast, drive to the Ndere cultural Centre for a one-day workshop at the Centre concerning Uganda’s Culture. You will be trained in different cultural activities depending on the tribe of Uganda which activities include cooking traditional foods, traditional dancing, dressing in traditional attire and courtship the Ugandan style. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your reservation.

Day 3: Cultural competitions

After breakfast, drive back to Ndere Cultural center and participate in various competitions depending on what they taught or what you learnt the previous day. The winners will be awarded with prizes and certificates. You will have lunch at the centre and in the evening, you will get entertainment from the Ndere troupe. Dinner and overnight at the hotel of your choice.

Day 4, Visit the Source of the Nile, Bujagali and Tororo 

After break, drive to the eastern Uganda and visit the White Nile which is the longest river in Africa. Make a visit to the mighty Bujagali falls and get a chance of seeing the real sparkling white water of the Nile as it forces its way through the stones. Listen to the mystery that surrounds Bujagali falls and have Lunch at the hotel of your choice. After lunch, drive to Tororo reaching in the afternoon. check in to your lodge for dinner and overnight as you prepare for the next day’s activities.

Day 5, Tororo Rock Hill 

After breakfast, you will climb the Tororo Rock hill where the highest altitude of the hill is 4865ft. Also visit the ancestral cave and the various Rock paintings. Return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation as you prepare for an afternoon entertainment from the local community group. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your reservation.

Day 6: Tororo-Mbale

After breakfast, after briefing by your driver guide, you will visit Sipi falls and neighboring areas, head back to your lodge for lunch as you prepare to visit Nabugoye synagogue and kakungulu's grave situated in the north east of central Mbale in the evening. Have dinner and Overnight at the lodge of your choice

Day 7, Transfer back to Kampala

After breakfast transfer back to Kampala. Have the afternoon relaxing. Dinner and overnight at the hotel of your reservation as you prepare for your flight.