Ugandan Gujarati in Uganda


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The first South Asians to go to what is now Uganda were mostly Punjabis who worked on the Uganda Railway project until it was completed. After that came the "passenger Indians," who were mostly traders from Gujarat. The Gujarati business community thrived until the early 1970s when Ugandan Dictator Idi Amin expelled the Asians from his country. Most Gujaratis re-settled in more business-friendly countries like the UK, the US, and Canada. Some returned to Uganda after Amin was thrust out of office.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Gujaratis in Africa are noted for their business-savvy ways, and Uganda is no exception. Many are involved with lucrative import/export trade, motels, local shops, while a smaller number are in the medical or IT professions.
Gujaratis have strong extended families as well as worldwide business networks. These two factors have helped them to thrive throughout Africa and beyond. Even if one's business fails, the family helps the Gujarati individual to take the next painful step towards getting back on their feet. To a Gujarati, having one's own business, even a small one, is viewed more favorably than working for someone else. Enterprise is a cultural value. Businesses are conducted with others they trust, which can reinforce working with other Gujaratis across the globe.


They are usually Hindu, but a significant minority is Muslim.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Gujarati in diaspora serve the great god of mammon but hold to traditional Gujarati Hindu beliefs and practices as well. Those beliefs and practices will differ widely according to details of caste and family background, and some will be deeply concerned and committed related to their traditional ways. Traditional gods and modern gurus compete for attention, with the 19th century-origin Swaminarayan movement continuing to grow and draw Gujarati involvement.


What Are Their Needs?

In most countries where there are Gujarati communities, there are no missionary agencies focusing taking Christ to them. The Bible is available in their language, but the Gujarati must see Christianity lived out. There are many strong believers in Uganda who can take Christ to the Hindu Gujaratis.


Prayer Points

Pray for an intense spiritual hunger among these Hindus that will draw them into the loving arms of Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Gujarati in Uganda.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement to Christ among Gujaratis throughout East Africa that will result in them experiencing the intense blessings of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Gujarati, Ugandan in Uganda.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Gujarati
People Name in Country Gujarati, Ugandan
Natural Name Ugandan Gujarati
Pronunciation yoo-GAHN-dun goo-jah-RAH-tee
Alternate Names Bajania; Gujarani; Indo-Pakistani; Karana; Parsi; Shahinshahi; Zarabe; Zardasht; Zarushti
Population this Country 493,000
Population all Countries 3,464,000
Total Countries 29
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
People ID 11982
ROP3 Code 103544
ROP25 Code 302844
ROP25 Name Gujarati
Country Uganda
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Uganda
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
88.00 %
Islam
12.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Gujarati (493,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Gujarati (493,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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