Religion in Uganda: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|none}} |
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{{Pie chart |
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|caption = Religion in Uganda (2014 census)<ref name="census-2014">[https://web.archive.org/web/20170210152801/https://www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/NPHC/2014%20National%20Census%20Main%20Report.pdf Census 2014 Final Results]</ref> |
|caption = Religion in Uganda (2014 census)<ref name="census-2014">[https://web.archive.org/web/20170210152801/https://www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/NPHC/2014%20National%20Census%20Main%20Report.pdf Census 2014 Final Results]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uganda/ | title=Uganda }}</ref> |
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|label1 = [[ |
|label1 = [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] |
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|value1 = 39.3 |
|value1 = 39.3 |
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|color1 = Blue |
|color1 = Blue |
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|label2 = [[ |
|label2 = [[Church of Uganda|Anglicanism]] |
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|value2 = 32 |
|value2 = 32.0 |
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|color2 = DarkOrchid |
|color2 = DarkOrchid |
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|label5 = [[ |
|label5 = [[Islam]] |
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|value5 = 13.7 |
|value5 = 13.7 |
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|color5 = Green |
|color5 = Green |
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|label3 = [[ |
|label3 = [[Pentecostalism]] |
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|value3 = 11.1 |
|value3 = 11.1 |
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|color3 = WhiteSmoke |
|color3 = WhiteSmoke |
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|color7 = Brown |
|color7 = Brown |
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}} |
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[[File:NAMIREMBE CATHEDRAL. side view.jpg|thumb|upright|250px|[[Namirembe Cathedral|St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral]] |
[[File:NAMIREMBE CATHEDRAL. side view.jpg|thumb|upright|250px|[[Namirembe Cathedral|St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral]] in the capital [[Kampala]]]] |
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[[Christianity]] is the predominant '''religion in Uganda'''. According to the 2014 census, over 84 percent of the population was Christian, while about 14 percent of the population adhered to [[Islam]], making it the largest minority religion.<ref name="census-2014"/> [[Anglicanism]] and [[Catholicism]] are the main [[Christian denomination]]s in the country. |
[[Christianity]] is the predominant '''religion in Uganda'''. According to the 2014 census, over 84 percent of the population was Christian, while about 14 percent of the population adhered to [[Islam]], making it the largest minority religion.<ref name="census-2014"/> [[Anglicanism]] and [[Catholicism]] are the main [[Christian denomination]]s in the country. |
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The northern and west Nile regions are dominated by Roman Catholics, and [[Iganga District]] in the east of Uganda had the highest percentage of Muslims; [[Good Friday]], [[Easter Monday]], [[Eid al-Fitr]], [[Eid al-Adha]], and [[Christmas]] are recognized national holidays.<ref name="state2009">{{Cite web | last = United States Department of State | title = Uganda | work = International Religious Freedom Report 2009 | date = 2009-10-26 | url = https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127261.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091130031900/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127261.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2009-11-30 | access-date = 2010-06-05}}</ref> |
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==Government policy== |
==Government policy== |
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Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Uganda Constitution, but religions are expected to be registered with the government |
Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Uganda Constitution, but religions are expected to be registered with the government and then to secure a five-year license; registered groups are exempt from direct taxation.<ref name="state2022">[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uganda/ US State Dept 2022 report]</ref> |
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==Freedom of religion== |
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In 2023, the country was scored 3 out of 4 for religious freedom by [[Freedom House]].<ref>[https://freedomhouse.org/country/uganda/freedom-world/2022 Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08]</ref> |
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[[File:A mosque in Uganda.jpg|thumb|Kibuli mosque in Kampala, Uganda]] |
[[File:A mosque in Uganda.jpg|thumb|Kibuli mosque in Kampala, Uganda]] |
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According to the 2014 National Census, |
According to the 2014 National Census, 14 percent of Ugandans adhered to Islam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uganda |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uganda/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Census 2014">{{cite web | url=http://www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/NPHC/2014%20National%20Census%20Main%20Report.pdf | title=2014 Uganda Population and Housing Census – Main Report | publisher=Uganda Bureau of Statistics | access-date=19 April 2018 }}</ref> Most Muslims are [[Sunni]],<ref name="state2022" /> with a small minority of [[Shia Islam|Shia]] Muslims. There was a small group of [[Ahmadi]]s in the country in 2012.<ref name="pew">{{cite web | url=http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Muslim/the-worlds-muslims-full-report.pdf | title=The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity | access-date=2 June 2014 | date=9 August 2012 | publisher=Pew Forum on Religious & Public life}}</ref> |
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==Judaism== |
==Judaism== |
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==Indigenous beliefs== |
==Indigenous beliefs== |
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About 1 percent of Uganda's population follow [[African traditional religion|traditional religions]] only; however, more people |
About 1 percent of Uganda's population follow [[African traditional religion|traditional religions]] only; however, in 2009, more people practiced traditional religious practices along with other religions such as Christianity or Islam.<ref name="state2009"/> One survey in 2010 showed that about 27 percent of Ugandans believe that sacrifices to ancestors or spirits can protect them from harm.<ref name="pewexecutive"> |
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{{Cite web | last = Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life | title = Executive Summary | work = Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa | publisher = The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life | date = 15 April 2010 | url = http://pewforum.org/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa.aspx | access-date = 2010-07-11}}</ref> |
{{Cite web | last = Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life | title = Executive Summary | work = Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa | publisher = The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life | date = 15 April 2010 | url = http://pewforum.org/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa.aspx | access-date = 2010-07-11}}</ref> |
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{{Main|Hinduism in Uganda}} |
{{Main|Hinduism in Uganda}} |
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The 2014 Census found that there were 13,905 Hindus, making up less than 0.1% of the population.<ref name="census-2014" /> |
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According to [[Association of Religion Data Archives|ARDA]], there were about 355,497 (0.93%) Hindus in Uganda in 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thearda.com/internationaldata/countries/Country_230_2.asp|title=Uganda, Religion And Social Profile|website=thearda.com}}</ref> |
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==Baháʼí Faith== |
==Baháʼí Faith== |
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[[File:Africa's Bahai temple in Kampala.jpg|thumb|100px|left|upright|a [[Baháʼí House of Worship]] in Kampala]] |
[[File:Africa's Bahai temple in Kampala.jpg|thumb|100px|left|upright|a [[Baháʼí House of Worship]] in Kampala]] |
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The [[Baháʼí Faith]] in Uganda started to grow in 1951 and in four years time there were 500 Baháʼís in 80 localities, including 13 Baháʼí [[Spiritual Assembly#Local Spiritual Assemblies|Local Spiritual Assemblies]], representing 30 tribes, and had dispatched 9 [[pioneering (Baháʼí)|Baháʼí pioneers]] to other African locations.<ref name="africa">{{cite web | last =Hassall | first = Graham | title = References to Africa in the Baháʼí Writings | work = Asian/Pacific Collection | publisher = Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies | date = 2003-08-26 | url = http://bahai-library.com/hassall_africa_bahai_writings | access-date = 2008-06-21}}</ref> Following the reign of Idi Amin when the Baháʼí Faith was banned and the murder of Baháʼí [[Hand of the Cause]] [[Enoch Olinga]] and his family,<ref name="enoch">{{Cite web |first=N. Richard |last=Francis |title=Enoch Olinga |year=1998 |website=Baháʼí Library Online |publisher=Baháʼí Faith Website of Reno, Nevada |url=http://bahai-library.com/francis_olinga_biography}}</ref> the community continues to grow though estimates of the population range widely from 19,000 to 105,000 and the community's involvements have included diverse efforts to promote the welfare of the Ugandan people. One of only ten [[Baháʼí House of Worship|Baháʼí Houses of Worship]] in the world, known as the Mother Temple of Africa, is located on the outskirts of [[Kampala]]. |
The [[Baháʼí Faith]] in Uganda started to grow in 1951 and in four years time there were 500 Baháʼís in 80 localities, including 13 Baháʼí [[Spiritual Assembly#Local Spiritual Assemblies|Local Spiritual Assemblies]], representing 30 tribes, and had dispatched 9 [[pioneering (Baháʼí)|Baháʼí pioneers]] to other African locations.<ref name="africa">{{cite web | last =Hassall | first = Graham | title = References to Africa in the Baháʼí Writings | work = Asian/Pacific Collection | publisher = Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies | date = 2003-08-26 | url = http://bahai-library.com/hassall_africa_bahai_writings | access-date = 2008-06-21}}</ref> Following the reign of Idi Amin when the Baháʼí Faith was banned and the murder of Baháʼí [[Hand of the Cause]] [[Enoch Olinga]] and his family,<ref name="enoch">{{Cite web |first=N. Richard |last=Francis |title=Enoch Olinga |year=1998 |website=Baháʼí Library Online |publisher=Baháʼí Faith Website of Reno, Nevada |url=http://bahai-library.com/francis_olinga_biography}}</ref> the community continues to grow though estimates of the population range widely from 19,000 to 105,000 and the community's involvements have included diverse efforts to promote the welfare of the Ugandan people. One of only ten [[Baháʼí House of Worship|Baháʼí Houses of Worship]] in the world, known as the Mother Temple of Africa, is located on the outskirts of [[Kampala]].<ref>[https://furtherafrica.com/2022/01/30/the-intriguing-history-of-africas-only-bahai-temple-in-uganda/ Further Africa website, article dated January 30, 2022]</ref> |
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==Buddhism== |
==Buddhism== |
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==No religion== |
==No religion== |
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{{Main|Irreligion in Uganda}} |
{{Main|Irreligion in Uganda}} |
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Only 0.9 percent of Ugandans claim no religion. The Uganda Humanist Association is a member of the [[International Humanist and Ethical Union]] and has been registered since 1996.<ref>http://www.iheu.org/node/1474 |
Only 0.9 percent of Ugandans claim no religion. The Uganda Humanist Association is a member of the [[International Humanist and Ethical Union]] and has been registered since 1996.<ref>[http://www.iheu.org/node/1474 International Humanist and Ethical Union website]</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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Revision as of 22:01, 24 April 2024
Christianity is the predominant religion in Uganda. According to the 2014 census, over 84 percent of the population was Christian, while about 14 percent of the population adhered to Islam, making it the largest minority religion.[1] Anglicanism and Catholicism are the main Christian denominations in the country.
The northern and west Nile regions are dominated by Roman Catholics, and Iganga District in the east of Uganda had the highest percentage of Muslims; Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Christmas are recognized national holidays.[3]
Government policy
Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Uganda Constitution, but religions are expected to be registered with the government and then to secure a five-year license; registered groups are exempt from direct taxation.[4]
Freedom of religion
In 2023, the country was scored 3 out of 4 for religious freedom by Freedom House.[5]
Affiliation | 1991 census | 2002 census | 2014 census[1] |
---|---|---|---|
Christian | 85.4% | 85.2% | 84.5% |
Roman Catholic | 44.5% | 41.9% | 39.3% |
Church of Uganda (Anglican) | 39.2% | 35.9% | 32.0% |
Pentecostal | -[note 1] | 4.6% | 11.1% |
Seventh-day Adventist | 1.1% | 1.5% | 1.7% |
Baptist | -[note 2] | -[note 2] | 0.3% |
Eastern Orthodox Christian | <0.1% | 0.1% | 0.15% |
Other Christian | 0.6% | 1.2%[note 3] | -[note 2] |
Muslim | 10.5% | 12.1% | 13.7% |
Traditional | - | 1.0% | 0.1% |
Baháʼí Faith | -[note 1] | 0.1% | -[note 2] |
None | -[note 1] | 0.9% | 0.2% |
Other non-Christian | 4.0% | 0.7%[note 4] | -[note 2] |
Others | -[note 2] | -[note 2] | 1.4% |
Notes
|
Affiliation | Central Region | Eastern Region | Northern Region | Western Region |
---|---|---|---|---|
Roman Catholic | 41.2% | 29.6% | 59.2% | 40.6% |
Anglican/Protestant | 30.1% | 43.0% | 25.3% | 45.2% |
Pentecostal | 5.9% | 6.1% | 3.1% | 3.4% |
Seventh-day Adventist | 1.9% | 1.0% | 0.5% | 2.6% |
Eastern Orthodox Christian | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
Other Christian | 0.8% | 2.1% | 0.5% | 1.1% |
Muslim | 18.4% | 17.0% | 8.5% | 4.5% |
Traditional | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1.6% | 0.1% |
Other | 0.6% | 1.0% | 1.3% | 2.3% |
Christianity
-
Rubaga Cathedral, the seat for the Roman Catholic Church
According to the national census of 2014, Christians of all denominations comprised 85 percent of Uganda's population.[8] The Roman Catholic Church had the largest number of adherents (39.3 percent of the total population). The largest Protestant church was the Anglican Church of Uganda, a part of the worldwide Anglican communion, at 32 percent. The category of Pentecostal/Evangelical/Born Again made up 11.1% of the population, while Seventh-day Adventists made up 1.7%, Baptists 0.3% and Eastern Orthodox 0.1%.,[8] although some sources estimate their numbers to more than 3%[9]
Jehovah's Witnesses operate in Uganda under the International Bible Students Association name and are working in a total of ten languages, including Swahili and Luganda. Followers of William M. Branham and Branhamism claim numbers in the tens of thousands, thanks in large part to translation and distribution efforts by Voice of God Recordings.[10]
The Presbyterian Church in Uganda has 100-200 congregations. The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Uganda was a result in a split in the Presbyterian church.
Baptist has its origins in American mission of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1963.[11] The Baptist Union of Uganda was founded in 1974.[12] According to a denomination census released in 2020, it claimed 1,800 churches and 550,000 members.[13]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims more than 14,000 members in 27 congregations in Uganda. They also have two family history centers.[14]
The Society of Friends has two yearly meetings, Uganda Yearly Meeting, part of Friends United Meeting and Evangelical Friends Church. There were about 3,000 members between the two in 2001.[15]
A 2015 study estimated some 35,000 believers in Christ from a Muslim background residing in the country at the time.[16]
Islam
According to the 2014 National Census, 14 percent of Ugandans adhered to Islam.[17][8] Most Muslims are Sunni,[4] with a small minority of Shia Muslims. There was a small group of Ahmadis in the country in 2012.[18]
Judaism
There are a small community of Ugandan Jews called the Abayudaya, numbering some 2,000-3,000.[19] The group was formed by Semei Kakungulu in the early 20th century.[20]
Indigenous beliefs
About 1 percent of Uganda's population follow traditional religions only; however, in 2009, more people practiced traditional religious practices along with other religions such as Christianity or Islam.[3] One survey in 2010 showed that about 27 percent of Ugandans believe that sacrifices to ancestors or spirits can protect them from harm.[21]
Interfaith
Uganda has received media attention for interfaith efforts in Mbale. Founded by JJ Keki, the Mirembe Kawomera (Delicious Peace) Fair Trade Coffee Cooperative brings together Muslim, Jewish, and Christian coffee farmers. Members of the cooperative use music to spread their message of peace. The Smithsonian Folkways album "Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music & Interfaith Harmony in Uganda" features songs from members of the cooperative about their interfaith message.[22]
Hinduism
The 2014 Census found that there were 13,905 Hindus, making up less than 0.1% of the population.[1]
Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith in Uganda started to grow in 1951 and in four years time there were 500 Baháʼís in 80 localities, including 13 Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assemblies, representing 30 tribes, and had dispatched 9 Baháʼí pioneers to other African locations.[23] Following the reign of Idi Amin when the Baháʼí Faith was banned and the murder of Baháʼí Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga and his family,[24] the community continues to grow though estimates of the population range widely from 19,000 to 105,000 and the community's involvements have included diverse efforts to promote the welfare of the Ugandan people. One of only ten Baháʼí Houses of Worship in the world, known as the Mother Temple of Africa, is located on the outskirts of Kampala.[25]
Buddhism
The Uganda Buddhist Centre, founded in 2005 by Venerable Buddharakkhita, is an initiative that intends to provide the first stable source of Buddhism in Uganda.[26]
No religion
Only 0.9 percent of Ugandans claim no religion. The Uganda Humanist Association is a member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union and has been registered since 1996.[27]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Census 2014 Final Results
- ^ "Uganda".
- ^ a b United States Department of State (2009-10-26). "Uganda". International Religious Freedom Report 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
- ^ a b US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ "2002 Uganda Population and Housing Census - Main Report" (PDF). Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
- ^ "2002 Uganda Population and Housing Census - Population Composition (Household Composition, Religious and Ethnic Composition and Marriage)" (PDF). Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ a b c "2014 Uganda Population and Housing Census – Main Report" (PDF). Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "MASS BAPTISM: 60+ SOULS UNITED TO CHRIST IN UGANDA". Journey To Orthodoxy. 2019-12-06. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
- ^ "A History On Uganda". branham.org. Archived from the original on 2010-11-20.
- ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 586
- ^ Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. XXV
- ^ Baptist World Alliance, Members, baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved December 5, 2020
- ^ Facts and Statistics: Uganda, LDS Church, retrieved 2016-05-25
- ^ Zarembka, David (2001). "Friends Peace Teams: African Great Lakes Initiative".
- ^ Johnstone, Patrick; Miller, Duane (2015). "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census". IJRR. 11: 15. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "Uganda". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
- ^ "The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity" (PDF). Pew Forum on Religious & Public life. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ Shadrach Levi, Mugoya (November 6, 2017). "We Are the Jews of Uganda. This Is Our Story". The Forward. Rachel Fishman Feddersen. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ Ben Abraham, Enosh K.Mainah (3 May 2006). "The Abayudaya, The Jews of Uganda". KCholmim. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- ^ Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (15 April 2010). "Executive Summary". Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
- ^ "Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music & Interfaith Harmony in Uganda".
- ^ Hassall, Graham (2003-08-26). "References to Africa in the Baháʼí Writings". Asian/Pacific Collection. Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^ Francis, N. Richard (1998). "Enoch Olinga". Baháʼí Library Online. Baháʼí Faith Website of Reno, Nevada.
- ^ Further Africa website, article dated January 30, 2022
- ^ "Uganda Buddhist Centre". www.ugandabuddhistcenter.org. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ^ International Humanist and Ethical Union website