People group profile · PG015084
The Gwere of Uganda
The Gwere of Uganda, numbering about 911,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a Bantu people of eastern Uganda who trace their origin to the kingdom of Bunyoro, migrating along Lake Kyoga after the collapse of the Bachwezi dynasty, with clan leaders today united under an elected paramount Ikumbania per a 2009 constitution.
They are an indigenous people in the Bantu, Central-Lakes people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Neo-Pentecostalism, and they primarily speak Gwere.

Fast facts
- Country
- Uganda
- Population
- 911,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Bantu, Central-Lakes
- Primary language
- Gwere (gwr)
- Primary religion
- Neo-Pentecostalism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Region
- Eastern Africa, Africa
- Location
- Budaka, Butaleja, Butebo, Kibuku, Mbale, Pallisa, and Sironko districts. Kaliro district (Lamoogi dialect)
Where they live
Gospel status
The Gwere are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Gwere
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Neo-Pentecostalism · Christianity
45% adherents
Primary language
Gwere · Atlantic-Congo family
75% speak Gwere
Gospel resources in Gwere
- Bible available, published 2017
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- JESUS (Gwere)
Bibles
- 2017 Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc · video, audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Gwere
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
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