Uganda

English

[eng] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2005, Constitution, Amendment Act, Article 6(1)). 29,004,100 in Uganda, all users. L1 users: 4,100 in Uganda (2016 J. Leclerc), increasing. L2 users: 29,000,000 (2014).

Swahili

[swh] 1 (National). Statutory national working language (2005, Constitution Amendment Act, Article 6(2)). 4,364,700 in Uganda, all users. L1 users: 4,700 in Uganda (2016 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 4,360,000 (2014).

3 (Wider communication)

Ganda

[lug] 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. 10,950,000 in Uganda, all users. L1 users: 5,560,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. L2 users: 5,390,000 (2014 R. Nzogi). Total users in all countries: 11,004,750 (as L1: 5,614,750; as L2: 5,390,000).

4 (Educational)

Acholi

[ach] 4 (Educational). 1,500,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Includes 34,200 Dhopaluo (2014 census). Total users in all countries: 1,588,000.

Alur

[alz] 4 (Educational). 985,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. 106,000 ethnically identified as Jonam (2014 census).

Ateso

[teo] 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Tororo, 10 other districts. 2,360,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Total users in all countries: 2,778,000.

Chiga

[cgg] 4 (Educational). 2,390,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Gwere

[gwr] 4 (Educational). 621,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Konzo

[koo] 4 (Educational). 893,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Includes 16,000 Banyabindi, 10,000 Banyabutumbi and 16,000 Basongora (2014 census).

Lango

[laj] 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Apac, 6 other districts north of Lake Kyogo. 2,130,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Lugbara

[lgg] 4 (Educational). 1,100,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Total users in all countries: 1,940,000.

Masaaba

[myx] 4 (Educational). 1,650,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Ng’akarimojong

[kdj] 4 (Educational). 691,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Includes 165,000 Jie, 129,000 Dodoth and 25,000 Napore (2014 census).

Nyankore

[nyn] 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Bushenyi, Mbarara, Ntungamo districts. 3,420,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Includes 152,000 Hororo and 49,000 Runyaruguru (2014 census). Total users in all countries: 3,433,000.

Nyoro

[nyo] 4 (Educational). 967,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Soga

[xog] 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Iganga, 4 other districts. 2,960,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Tooro

[ttj] 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Kabarole and Kabale districts. 846,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. 811,000 Tooro, 35,000 Tuku (2014 census).

5 (Dispersed)

Fumbira

[kin] 5 (Dispersed). 1,240,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation; 713,000 Bafumbira, 524,000 Banyarwanda (2014 census).

5 (Developing)

Kakwa

[keo] 5* (Developing). 182,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Total users in all countries: 351,000.

Kebu

[ndp] 5* (Developing). 54,100 in Uganda (2014 census). Census based on tribal affiliation. Total users in all countries: 154,100.

Aringa

[luc] 5 (Developing). 495,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Gungu

[rub] 5 (Developing). 84,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Jopadhola

[adh] 5 (Developing). 482,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Kaliko

[kbo] 5 (Developing). 5,000 in Uganda (1998 SIL), increasing.

Kumam

[kdi] 5 (Developing). 266,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Kupsapiiny

[kpz] 5 (Developing). 274,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Ma’di

[mhi] 5 (Developing). 293,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Numbers probably include Southern Madi speakers. Total users in all countries: 326,000.

Nyole

[nuj] 5 (Developing). 530,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Pökoot

[pko] 5 (Developing). 105,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Saamya-Gwe

[lsm] 5 (Developing). 525,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. 421,000 Saamya, 100,000 Gwe and 4,000 Heehe (2014 census). Total users in all countries: 609,800.

Talinga-Bwisi

[tlj] 5 (Developing). 101,000 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Total users in all countries: 131,900.

Thur

[lth] 5 (Developing). 98,000 (2014 census). Census based on tribal affiliation.

Ugandan Sign Language

[ugn] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1995, Constitution, Article XXIV(d)). 160,000 (2008 WFD). Approximately 0.35% of total population. Estimates vary widely: 160,000–840,000 deaf (2008 WFD); 528,000–800,000 deaf (Lule and Wallin 2010); over 700,000 deaf adults (2010 B. Oluoch).

6a (Vigorous)

Bukusu

[bxk] 6a* (Vigorous). 37,100 in Uganda (2014 census). Census based on tribal affiliation.

[ikx] 6a (Vigorous). 14,000 (2014 census), increasing.

Kenye

[lke] 6a (Vigorous). 99,900 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation.

Ma’di, Southern

[snm] 6a (Vigorous). 60,000 (2010 SIL), increasing.

Ruruuli-Runyala

[ruc] 6a (Vigorous). 238,000 (2014 census), increasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. 190,000 Ruuli, 48,000 Nyala (2014 census).

6b (Threatened)

Amba

[rwm] 6b (Threatened). 42,600 in Uganda (2014 census), decreasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Total users in all countries: 47,100.

Kuku

[ukv] 6b (Threatened). 46,500 in Uganda (2014 census), decreasing. Total users in all countries: 242,500.

Ndrulo

[dno] 6b (Threatened). 18,900 in Uganda (2014 census), increasing.

Nubi

[kcn] 6b (Threatened). 28,800 in Uganda (2014 census), decreasing. Census based on tribal affiliation. Total users in all countries: 50,100.

8b (Nearly extinct)

Nyang’i

[nyp] 8b (Nearly extinct). 20 (2011 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 10,000 (2014 census).

Soo

[teu] 8b (Nearly extinct). 50 (2012 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 23,400 (2014 census).

Unestablished

Hindi

[hin] Unestablished. 5,300 in Uganda (2016 J. Leclerc).

Mvuba

[mxh] Unestablished. 2,880 in Uganda (2014 census). Census based on tribal affiliation.

Uganda

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