Bagwere

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (August 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

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.

They live 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 be the cleanest city in Uganda is home to some 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, Bakomolo, balangira, Baganza, badaka, baumo, Banaminto, Bapalama, Banyekero,Batoloyi. Their traditional music is called Tongoli, named after a hand held one string instrument elsewhere in Africa known as the Kora. They are said to have emigrated to their present area from Bunyoro and Toro, and travelled along lake kyoga crossing river mpologoma. For this reason all tribes settled along the Kyoga like; Baluli, Bakenye, Balamogi have a similar language to Lugwere. Their initial area of settlement has shrunk considerably as the Teso and Bagishu pushed their frontiers inwardly.

The Bagwere are very proud of their heritage especially as they are few in number but are very well educated. 47 of them hold either PHD or masters degrees from world class reputable universities. Their most prominent son is the late Balaki Kebba Kirya one of the founding members of independent Uganda who died in 1994. Some notable Bagwere personalities over the years are; Gwanyi, Yoswa Kirya, Kabazi, Kageni, Prof Kiryabwire Africa's first black neuro-surgeon; Colonel Paul Babula an Israeli trained F-16 Fighter jet pilot; Ambassador Edward Wakida once Vice President of ICAO in Canada; Engineer Johnathan Mwedde Chief Engineer Uganda; Professor George Kirya Vice Chancellor Makerere university and High Commissioner UK; Eng Kabanda a principal private secretary to the President of Uganda; Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire the youngest judge of the High Court; Ambassador Dr. Tomasi Sisye Kiryapawo (UK)and Electoral Commission; Professor Ruth Mukama, Ambassadors Mr and Mrs Taliwaku; William Mukama The renowned teacher and politician, Professor Phillip Wabulya; Juliet Rainer Kafire Vice President Democratic Party and a remarkable woman said to have built many Schools in Uganda, Bishop Emeritus Alpakusad Gonahasa Assistant Arch-Bishop of Uganda, Hon Jennifer Namuyangu a State Minister for trade and industry, Dr. Laban Kirya a district chairman, Kalebbo Principal of Uganda Management Institute, Dr. Allan Kwabe a computer engineer in UK, Edmund Wakida an Attorney, Dr. Talisuna of Ministry of Health, Swaya of Min. of Finance, Bob Wasugirya, Dr. Mutono of the Lodoi Foundation, Dr. Anthony Kebba a renowned AIDS vaccine researcher for WHO, Dr Sam Lyomoki the Workers represetative in Parliament,Eng Wilson Mulebeke one of the few meterlogical engineers in Uganda, Dr.Wilson.K.Kasolo working with the National Forestry Authority and the Principal of Nyabyeya Forestry College, Dr. Kinani a permanent secretary MOH, Dr. Nantulya and Bob Mubaala their paramount all clan leader.