Early History

Fossils indicate that Uganda was already inhabited by great apes 15 million years ago. Traces of Dryopithecus, which became extinct 4 million years ago, were found in Moroto District. Further finds from the early Stone Age (2 million years ago) likewise attest to early settlement phases in the present-day territory of Uganda.

Since around 10,000 BC Uganda has been more or less completely settled, and since as early as 5,000 BC Bantu peoples have practised agriculture. This early settlement points to the good living conditions that persist to this day (warm, humid climate, fertile soils).

Other peoples increasingly migrated into the area of present-day Uganda as well: from 3,000 BC from the region of present-day Congo, and from 300 BC also peoples of Nilotic origin from the north (present-day Sudan) and Cushitic groups (present-day Ethiopia).

Further links:

• Background information on the Dryopithecus
• Background information on the Bantu peoples