The Bagwere are a Bantu ethnic group in Uganda and constitute some 4% of the population. Around 500,000 Bagwere live in eastern Uganda and exist on subsistence farming. The Bagwere speak the Lugwere language. Map showing the approximate distribution of Bantu (dull yellow) vs. … Like most farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, this Cameroonian man cultivates at the subsistence level. … Lugwere is the language spoken by the Bagwere, a Bantu people found in the eastern part of Uganda…
They leave in the Eastern part of Uganda mostly in Pallisa district, where they are over 80% of the population. They have the Bagisu, the Basoga , the Balamogi and the Itesot as their neighbhours Mbale city, one time reputed to the cleanest city in Uganda is home to most Bagwere, and have the following towns; Pallisa, Budaka, Kibuku, Kagumu, Kamonkoli, Kadama, Iki-Iki, Bulangira, Tirinyi. Luggwere is also one of the main dialects to be found in Pallisa town. The bagwere have many clans the leading ones being the; Balalaka, Baganza, Bakomolo, balangira, badaka, baumo, Banaminto, Bapalama, Bakabweri, Balyampiti, Banyekero, They are said to have emigrated to their present area from Bunyoro, and travelled along lake kyoga. for this reason all tribes settled along the Kyoga like; Baluli, Bakenye, Balamogi have a similar language to Lugwere. They are the country’s largest cotton growers and also grow Rice, maize, millet, sorghum, beans and cassava.
The Bagwere are very proud to of their heritage especially as they are few in number but very well educated. Their most prominent son is the late Balaki Kebba Kirya one of the founding members of independent Uganda who died in 1994. Other notable Bagwere personalities are; Prof Kiryabwire africa’s first black neuro-surgeon, Colonel Paul Babula a Fighter jet pilot, Ambassador Edward Wakida once Vice President of ICAO, Engineer Johnathan Mwedde Chief Engineer Uganda, Professor George Kirya Vice Chancellor Makerere university, Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire the youngest judge of the High court, Ambassador Dr. Tomasi Sisye Kiryapawo (UK), Professor Ruth Mukama, Ambassador Taliwaku, Professor Phillip Wabulya, Honourable Juliet Rainer Kafire Vice president democratic party and a remarkable woman who built 52 Schools in Uganda, Bishop emeritus Alpaksud Gonahasa assistant arch bishop of Uganda, and Bob Mubaala the paramount all clan leader.