Easter in Uganda

Making Easter Brighter for Ugandan Children

Have you ever wondered how people celebrate Easter in Uganda? You may be surprised to learn that many African Easter traditions are fairly similar to those in the US and Europe. Because Uganda is a predominantly Catholic and Christian nation, Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. This means that after the forty days of Lent, Ugandans are able to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ over a four-day weekend.

Holy Week and Easter in Uganda

As most Catholics do elsewhere in the world, Ugandans celebrate Holy Week, which celebrates Palm Sunday as well as the death and resurrection of Christ. On Palm Sunday, people buy or pick palm branches to bring with them to church. On Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday, churches hold additional special services. Many people also attend Easter plays and concerts, both outside of church and as part of holiday worship.

Popular Easter Activities in Uganda

In addition to religious observances, Ugandans also celebrate the Easter holiday weekend in other festive ways:

• Traveling to see family members. Just as they do over the Christmas holiday, Ugandans often travel over the Easter holiday weekend to spend time with their families.
• Picnicking by Lake Victoria. Another popular Ugandan Easter activity is taking part in picnics along the shores of beautiful Lake Victoria. Many Ugandans also play beach soccer or volleyball and go swimming.
• Throwing Easter parties. Those who aren’t traveling for Easter may choose to host large, colorful Easter parties at their homes. People wear bright, new clothes, exchange gifts, and enjoy a holiday feast full of local delicacies.
• Enjoying Easter safaris. Tourists in Uganda can spend Easter celebrating new life by booking a safari in a national park. It’s a great way to see chimpanzees, gorillas, rhinoceroses, and many other wild species as well as visit some of Uganda’s beautiful landmarks.

Although Easter is a time for joyful celebration in Uganda, it’s important to remember that about 41% of its residents live in poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the national economic outlook as well as the already low quality of education. You can make Easter brighter for adults and children by donating to humanitarian nonprofits that serve the Ugandan population. 

Maximize your impact by supporting Ugandan schools, which provide children with the tools they need to build a more promising future. Simone’s Kids in Nakaseke, Uganda provides education and meets basic needs for children in order to help them break the cycle of poverty. Your donations help purchase school supplies, textbooks, food, and other necessities for Ugandan students.

Consider making recurring donations to Simone’s Kids by joining The Village. The Village is a passionate group of donors committed to bettering the lives of children in Uganda by making monthly donations that help to provide better meals, more teachers, more activities, and even post-graduation services. You can also make a difference by shopping at the Simone’s Kids Store or donating to Simone’s Kids. Your gifts help purchase school supplies, textbooks, food, and other necessities for Ugandan students. Consider doubling your contribution by asking if your employer participates in a donation match. Give today!