The Batuku are a tribe in Western Uganda, on the southern shores of Lake Albert on the border of Uganda and DR Congo. The Batuku belong to the Bantu ethnic group.
There are 35,350 Batuku (2014 census) in Uganda. The Batuku are found in Ntoroko district.
They are believed to be descendants of the "Abarusula", a 19th century royal army of the Kabalega (King) of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. The Batuku belong to Butuku región underTooro región led by the Omukama (king) of Tooro Kingdom. The current Omukama is: Omukama Oyó Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The Batuku are both cattle keepers, and fishing people. Their staple food is Milk called "Amata", and Millet called "Oburo" (which they get from the farming neighboring communities).
Millet flour is used to make millet bread which is eaten with "Enchu" (fish). Beef is only eaten when a cow is injured or when it gets stranded in a ditch, otherwise they do not slaughter their cows for meat. They also eat bananas, sweet potatoes, beans, and other vegetables which they get from their farming neighbors like the Baamba-Babwisi tribes. Their land is not suitable for farming because it has a lot of salt content. Their traditional drink is called "Obugeme", made out of wild coconuts.
The Batuku dress code is: a lesu, and barkcloth. Men tie the lesu diagonally from one shoulder.
The Batuku dance is called "Eliba", a celebration dance similar to the Runyege Ntogoro dance of the Banyoro tribe. The Batuku give their children pet nñames in an event called Empaako, just like most of the Tooro tribes, and the Banyoro. The Batuku language is called "Lutuku".
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