Christmas in Uganda, when joy and sharing come together

Christmas in Uganda is a warm and joyful celebration. It is precisely this cheerful spirit that is reflected in the kindness of Andrew (61), a maths teacher, and his wife Rachel (50), a primary school teacher. They welcome us with warm hospitality to tell us how they celebrate Christmas.

In Uganda, the festivities generally begin five days before 24 December and continue for five days afterwards,' they tell us. During this period, the whole family comes together to prepare for the festivities: everyone helps with household chores, such as fetching water from the well, cutting fruit, mowing the lawn and, of course, preparing the festive meals. It's a time for getting together and sharing. On the 24th the family also goes to church for midnight mass.

For the Ugandans, the real celebration takes place on 25 December. The day is marked by family gatherings and traditions deeply rooted in their culture. In the land of bananas, as Uganda is nicknamed, it's an opportunity to celebrate in style, surrounded by family and friends. 'It's a real village celebration,' explains Andrew. 

Instead of exchanging gifts, families fill ekibbo, baskets often filled with local food such as fruit, but also basic products such as flour, salt or oil. According to Andrew and his wife, these products symbolise hospitality and during celebrations, guests can help themselves, as a sign of sharing and conviviality.

Since the couple moved to Luxembourg in 2022, they have been trying to recreate this Christmas atmosphere. Although they don't fill ekibbo, they still prepare Matoke for the festive days. It's a typical dish based on plantains accompanied by tasty sauces made from meat, fish or even vegetables. 'It's a symbolic meal for the family, who come from our region in the centre of the country', says the couple, who also tells us about other traditional dishes eaten at festive times in Uganda, such as Posho, Cassava and Millet.

After a hearty meal, which includes a fruit salad dessert, the family gets together to watch films such as 'Home Alone', exchange gifts and play board games such as Scrabble. 'In Uganda we'd go to the cinema, a concert or even the beach,' reveals Rachel.

If Andrew and Rachel spend Christmas in a small circle, just with their four children and not with neighbours and people from the village, that's just as well, they say. Their wish is to spend their time with their children and this is one of the rare occasions when they can all be together,' says Andrew. For him, Christmas is also a time to relax and share laughter. 'Switching off', as he puts it.