Bwisi in Uganda
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| People Name: | Bwisi |
| Country: | Uganda |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 137,000 |
| World Population: | 199,000 |
| Primary Language: | Talinga-Bwisi |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 85.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 12.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Online Audio NT: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Bantu, Central-Lakes |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Babwisi are a small people group living in Western Uganda on the slopes and plains of the Rwenzori Mountians, along the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Bundibugyo District. The Babwisi are mainly subsistence agriculturalists who raise crops such as maize, cassava, beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, soya beans, yams, groundnuts, finger millet and bananas. The majority of the Babwisi still live in rural areas in mud huts, with no electricity or running water. Malaria is the most common cause of death among the Babwisi, as are the side effects of unclean water, such as diarrhea. Access to proper health care in the Babwisi area is poor but slowly improving.
Christianity was brought to the Babwisi in the 1920s by a Mubwisi man who went to Fort Portal where he was saved and baptized. He then became an Anglican catechist and, with the help of some Batooro missionaries, returned to his home area and began to minister and evangelize among his own people. Although most Babwisi claim to be Christians, their faith is not deep and many are nominal or Christian in name only. Traditional religion is still prevalent among the Babwisi and traditional religion is often mixed with other religions, such as Christianity and Islam.
The Babwisi are in need of proper health care, literacy, Christian discipleship, training for local pastors, and inventive ways to reach the youth, who are spiritually very open. Scripture distribution is also a problem, due to poor roads and lack of transport. A Lubwisi Bible Translation is in progress. Lubwisi is the name of their language. Talinga-Bwisi is another name for the people.