The Mvuba are found in D.R Congo (Kinshasa) and western Uganda, in the northern foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, on Uganda's border with DR Congo. They are part of the Pygmy people cluster within the Sub-Saharan African affinity bloc. In Uganda they are numbering 9.000 (Peoplegroups.org) Their primary language is Mvuba. The primary religion practiced by the Mvuba is ethnoreligion. |
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Are said to have migrated from Sudan and travelled south-west to present-day DR Congo. In DR Congo, they are among the indigenous communities; in the same category as the Batwa.
In Uganda, the Mvuba settled among the Vonoma, Baamba, Babwisi, and Batwa tribes in present-day Bundibugyo district. Because the Vonoma in Bundibugyo had also come from DR Congo (due to forced labour in DR Congo by Belgian colonialists), the Mvuba integrated within the Vonoma, who were living with Baamba, Babwisi, and Batwa tribes.
The Mvuba, together with the Vonoma, Baamba, and Babwisi, belong to Bwamba región led by an Omudhingiya (King). The current Omudhingiya is: Omudhingiya Martin Kamya Ayongi.
The Mvuba are agricultural and fishing people. They farm yams, cassava, groundnuts and vegetables. Their staple food is Yams and Cassava. From cassava flour, cassava bread is made. These foods are eaten with beans, groundnuts and fish. The fish is obtained from Semliki River.
The Mvuba, together with Vonoma, Baamba, and Babwisi, are the guardians and custodians of Bundibugyo district - Uganda's Cocoa Capital. More than 70% of the 26,000 tonnes of cocoa exported by Uganda annually are produced in Bundibugyo (Baamba/Babwisi/Vonoma/Batwa/Mvuba región). 85% of Bundibugyo is covered by cocoa farms. Bundibugyo cocoa is one of the finest organic cocoa worldwide and it's behind a number of international chocolate brands.
The Mvuba dress code is traditionally animal skin. Their modern dress code involves Kitenge (from DR Congo).
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