Our Jewish Community in Eastern Uganda

Our Mission: Foster togetherness and growth of the Jewish Community in Eastern Uganda

Our Values

• Shalom – peace, respect, and dignity
• Tikkun olam – social justice and repairing the world
• Chesed – kindness, compassion, and generosity towards the needy
• Tzedek – justice, sustainability, and dignity
• Kavod – respect

The History of Our Existence

The Abayudaya congregation traces its heritage to the tribe of Judah. This community was founded by Semei Kakungulu, a British agent sent to conquer territories in Uganda. While reading the Bible, Kakungulu discovered the concept of monotheism, rejecting the Christian belief in the Trinity. As a result, he converted to Judaism.

Using his political influence, Kakungulu ordered the chiefs within and beyond his palace to undergo circumcision. In 1919, he officially established the Abayudaya congregation as a religious community. He trained chiefs to lead prayers and conduct ceremonies in their local areas. Many synagogues were built under his leadership, including Namanyonyi, Nabugoye, Namakula, Nasenyi, Kabwangasi, Putti, and Namutumba, using his personal resources.

By 1928, when Kakungulu passed away, the Abayudaya population had grown to 3,000 followers. Despite limited formal education, community members diligently observed Jewish practices such as Shabbat, Jewish festivals, male circumcision on the eighth day, and other traditions.

The Impact of Idi Amin’s Regime

In 1971, Idi Amin’s dictatorship overthrew the Ugandan government and banned all religions outside Islam and Christianity, including Judaism. This period brought immense suffering to the Abayudaya. Synagogues were ordered to close or be destroyed, and members were arrested for openly practicing their faith. Out of fear for their lives, many converted to Islam or Christianity.

Jacob, an elder and chairman of Nasenyi Abayudaya Community, recalls, “One day, my father, a teacher at Nasenyi synagogue, was forbidden from burying a fellow member. We were chased away, and he fled for his safety. I hid in a swamp, and the body was left unburied without prayers.”

Some steadfast members continued practicing Judaism in secret, praying indoors with doors locked and someone watching outside. However, many traditions, including Shabbat observance, were abandoned. “We worked until Thursday, rested on Friday, worked on Saturday, and rested again on Sunday,” recalls Moses, a member of Nasenyi.

In 1979, after Idi Amin was overthrown, religious freedom was restored. By then, the Abayudaya population had drastically diminished.

Rebuilding the Community

In the 1980s, Abayudaya youth began visiting synagogues across Uganda to reconnect with members who had preserved their faith. Despite poor communication and transportation, their efforts over two years bore fruit.

In 1986, a general meeting at Nabugoye marked a turning point. The community’s name was changed from “Propagation of Judaism in Uganda” to “Abayudaya Congregation in Uganda,” and new leadership was elected. These leaders sought connections with other Jewish communities, eventually meeting American volunteers Matthew Mayer and Julie in Nairobi. These volunteers introduced the community to Kulanu, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization.

Kulanu’s Impact

Kulanu visited Uganda in 1995, breaking the community’s long-term isolation. With Kulanu’s help, the Abayudaya established an education fund, enabling members to attend high school and beyond. Gershom Sizomu, a prominent leader, later became a rabbi after training in an American rabbinical school.

In 2001, a group of rabbis conducted a Beit Din in Uganda, officially converting the Abayudaya congregation under the Conservative movement. Subsequently, some members affiliated with other Jewish denominations, such as Putti Synagogue with Orthodoxy and Namutumba with Reconstructionism.

Today, there are 15 synagogues in Uganda. Kulanu has supported the community by funding education, electrifying villages like Namanyonyi and Nabugoye, and providing clean water and schools.

Legacy of Dedication

The history of the Abayudaya contains many individuals who quietly sustained Jewish life through dedication, sacrifice, and community leadership. Among them is Jacob Mwosuko, whose contributions span youth education, communal support, music, and land donation for Jewish worship.

The Early Kibbutz Camp in Nasenyi (Late 1980s)

Historical accounts attribute one of the earliest Abayudaya kibbutz-style youth camps to the late 1980s, shortly after the difficult years of rebuilding Jewish life in Uganda. The first camp was organized in Nasenyi, where Jacob Mwosuko opened his home to the youth of the community. For several days and nights, young Abayudaya gathered there to live, learn, and practice Jewish communal life.

• Youth slept and stayed at Jacob Mwosuko’s home.
• Campfires in the evenings fostered discussion and study.
• Shabbat was observed collectively, strengthening religious life.
• Participants engaged in Torah study and Hebrew learning.

This informal yet structured communal experience resembled the kibbutz model, emphasizing shared living, learning, and work for the community’s benefit.

Personal Sacrifice and Support of the Kibbutz Youth

Jacob Mwosuko personally supported the youth by harvesting food from his farm and cycling long distances to deliver it to community centers. His dedication ensured that the youth and community members had food and support during challenging times.

Support for Jewish Education

He also supplied food to Jewish schools, including Hadassah Primary School and Semei Kakungulu High School, helping sustain students and activities during resource shortages.

Cultural Contributions Through Music

Jacob Mwosuko contributed to the preservation of Abayudaya music, performing on the internationally released album Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda produced by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings in 2003, sharing their liturgical music globally.

Donation of Land for the Nasenyi Synagogue

He donated several acres of his land for the Nasenyi synagogue, formalizing the community’s ownership of this sacred space in 2025.

Conclusion

Across decades, Jacob Mwosuko’s dedication and acts of service have helped sustain Jewish life among the Abayudaya, ensuring that faith, learning, and community continue to thrive for future generations.