The Jewish Community in Uganda: History and Current Status

Nov 13, 2025 0

The Abayudaya, meaning "People of Judah" in Luganda, are a Jewish community in eastern Uganda that has been practicing Judaism for over 100 years. Their story is a tale of faith, resilience, and identity, shaped by both local traditions and external influences. In eastern Uganda, the Abayudaya Jewish community has been practicing Judaism for over 100 years.

The Abayudaya's population is estimated to number between 2,000 and 3,000, they are devout in their practice, keeping kashrut and observing Shabbat. They are spread across eastern Uganda, living amongst their non-Jewish neighbours. Most Abayudaya are of Bagwere origin, except for those from Namutumba who are Basoga. Like their neighbors, they are subsistence farmers.

A Snapshot of the Abayudaya - The Jews of Uganda

Origins of the Abayudaya Community

Established in 1919 when a local chieftain began to study the tenets of Judaism, the Abayudaya community developed over time in the predominantly Christian and Muslim society. Their name has its roots in the Luganda word for ‘people of Judah’. The group owes its origin to Muganda military leader Semei Kakungulu.

Originally, Kakungulu was converted to Christianity by British missionaries around 1880. He believed that the British would allow him to be king of the territories Bukedi and Bugisu. However, when the British limited his territory to a significantly smaller size and refused to recognize him as king as they had promised, Kakungulu began to distance himself from them.

When, in 1919, Kakungulu insisted on circumcision as prescribed in the Hebrew Bible, the Bamalaki refused and told him that if he practiced circumcision he would be like the Jews. Kakungulu responded, "Then, I am a Jew!" He circumcised his sons and himself and declared that his community was Jewish.

The Abayudaya set up their first Yeshiva in 1920 and the first synagogue in 1923. They began to thrive. The arrival of a foreign Jew known as "Yosef", presumably of Ashkenazi background, in 1920 contributed much towards the community's acquisition of knowledge about the seasons in which Jewish holidays, such as Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, take place. Furthermore, the laws concerning kashrut were first introduced to the community by Yosef. The community continues to practice kashrut today.

Stern Synagogue on Nabugoye Hill outside Mbale

Challenges and Persecution

But in 1971 Ugandan leader Idi Amin came to power and banned Jewish practice. Many were forced to convert to other religions. In 1972 relations with Israel soured. In June 1976, Amin allowed an Air France airliner hijacked by two members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - External Operations (PFLP-EO) and two members of the German Revolutionäre Zellen to land at Entebbe Airport.

In the 1970s they were persecuted by Idi Amin, who outlawed Jewish rituals and destroyed synagogues. Some of the Abayudaya community converted to either Christianity or Islam in the face of religious persecution. A core group of roughly 300 members remained, however, committed to Judaism, worshipping secretly and fearful that they would be discovered by their neighbors and reported to the authorities. The community underwent a revival in the 1980s.

Religious Practices and Community Life

The Abayudaya are devout in their practice, keeping kashrut and observing Shabbat. Members attend Shabbat services regularly both on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Congregations remove their shoes before entering the synagogue. This custom is believed to have been practiced by Jews in biblical times and is still practiced by a few Jewish communities today.

Music has been an important aspect in the lives of the Abayudaya. The music of the Abayudaya is distinctly African and it is Jewish at the same time. Many of the songs combine Luganda words with Hebrew words. Additionally, Psalms and prayers are set to a distinctly African tune and rhythm. Music is considered important by the community for a variety of reasons.

Besides the five synagogues, Jewish schools have been established with outside help from individuals and organizations where secular and Jewish subjects are taught. Unlike many Christian-run schools, learning Hebrew and Judaism is merely optional for non-Jewish students. Christian, Muslim, and Jewish students attend these schools.

Recognition and Modern Developments

Approximately 400 Abayudaya community members were formally converted by five rabbis of the Conservative branch of Judaism in February 2002, and conversions by Conservative rabbis continued during the following years. In 2017, the community lives near the newly built Stern Synagogue on Nabugoye Hill outside Mbale and the nearby synagogue in the village of Namanyonyi plus others live in Nasenyi, Nalubembe, Buseta, Nangolo and the sole Orthodox community, Putti, all in Pallisa District.

Another development is the possible recognition of the Putti Abayudaya by Israel and the Orthodox Jewish world, thanks to the efforts of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, founding Chief Rabbi of Efrat and Chancellor of the Ohr Torah Stone institute, in coordination with Putti Village Assistance Organization (PVAO). This plan received a setback in 2018 when the Israel Ministry of the Interior ruled that the Putti Abayudaya were not a recognised Jewish community and so their conversion is "not recognized for the purpose of receiving status in Israel".

The region where many Abayudaya Jews are based in eastern Uganda is almost a 5-hour drive from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The climate and terrain are perfect for growing high value crops.World Jewish Relief has been supporting the Abayudaya Jewish community in eastern Uganda since 2017, in response to devastating famine.

Read also: WACC Programs

The programme staff work with the most vulnerable community members, helping them to rent fertile land, buy seeds for lucrative crops like watermelon, peppers, and onions, and become skilled at using modern agricultural techniques. They are taught financial management, so they can plan for the long term. They no longer rely on handouts.

As a child, Amos dreamed of being a doctor and healing the sick. Sinyana Moses is healthier than he’s ever been. He loves charging around with his brothers and sisters and singing songs at the top of his voice. He wants to run his own business one day.