Gisu

Gisu, also called Bagisu or BaGisu, is an ethnic group in eastern Uganda. They primarily inhabit the Bugisu sub-region around Mount Elgon, spanning districts such as Mbale, Bududa, Sironko, Bulambuli, Manafwa and Bukwo. The Gisu are a Bantu-speaking people; their language Lugisu (also referred to as Gisu) is part of the Niger-Congo language family.

Population estimates place the Gisu in the hundreds of thousands, with communities also living in urban centers across Uganda and a small diaspora abroad.

They maintain a predominantly agricultural economy, growing bananas (matooke), maize, beans, coffee, and other crops, and also keeping small livestock. The Bugisu region has fertile highland soils supporting both subsistence and cash-crop farming. In recent decades, education and commerce have expanded, and many Bagisu live in towns or work in service sectors.

Culture: A defining practice is the Imbalu male circumcision initiation rite, held publicly in many communities and seen as a rite of passage to manhood. The ceremony includes traditional songs, dances, and regalia. Bagisu society is organized around extended families and traditional leadership structures, while contemporary governance follows national Ugandan institutions.

Religion: Christianity is the dominant faith among Bagisu today, with substantial numbers of Roman Catholics and Protestants; some still observe traditional beliefs, and Islam is present in limited areas.

History: The Bagisu have long occupied the Mount Elgon foothills in eastern Uganda. Under colonial rule, they were administered as part of the Uganda Protectorate. In the post-independence era, they have participated in Uganda's national political and economic life.