Field station: Nyabyeya/Uganda

Uganda’s climate is tropical with alternating wet and dry seasons, shaped by its proximity to Lake Victoria. Temperatures remain stable throughout the year, ranging between 15°C and 30°C. There are two rainy seasons: from March to May and from September to November.

With an average age of 16, Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. The official languages are English and Swahili, around 40 different languages are spoken by approximately 60 ethnic groups.

The diet is largely based on starchy staple foods such as cooking bananas (matoke), cassava, sweet potatoes, and maize (posho), often complemented by beans, groundnuts, and vegetables.

Our research station is located in Nyabyeya, a village of about 3,300 inhabitants in the Masindi District. The capital, Kampala, is approximately 240 km away and can be reached by car in about five to six hours. In addition to the official languages, Alur, Lugbara, and Runyoro are commonly spoken in the area.

Most people have a basic level of education, with boys more likely than girls to attend secondary school. Only a small number go on to higher education. Men work in a variety of occupations, including farming, construction, and driving cars or motorcycle taxis, while women are primarily engaged in agriculture.

On average, 5.3 people live in one household. About 15% of households have electricity, and the average distance to the nearest water source corresponds to a walk of around 18 minutes. Approximately 80% of children share a bed with their mother or siblings.

Child-rearing often follows traditional gender roles and emphasizes respect for elders. Women are primarily responsible for raising children, while men are generally seen as providers. At the same time, there are many women who raise their children on their own or with support of relatives: according to our surveys, around 19% of children grow up without their fathers being involved in their lives.

The people of Nyabyeya and the surrounding villages are very open-minded and positive toward our research. Together with our Ugandan research assistants, we have been able to establish a reliable and sustainable research infrastructure in Nyabyeya.