[1] The Budu people mainly live by subsistence agriculture, growing cassava, yams, corn, rice, peanuts, plantains and pulses.
Palm oil is the main cash crop, giving an income per capita of about $120 a year.
They obtain meat and other forest resources through trade with the Mbuti people (Pygmies), who share their language.
[3] Both the Catholic church and, later WEC International (Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ), have been active with the Budu.
Charles Studd, founder of WEC, died in Budu territory and is buried in Ibambi.