For the 10-year period 1979-1988, the incidence of endoscopically diagnosed peptic ulceration at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital was studied with particular reference to: type of ulcer; age, sex and place of residence of the patients; and patient's occupations. The incidence of peptic ulceration remained unchanged. In this area, gastric ulceration is a rare disease among black people. Early urbanisation had no influence on incidence but more patients from developing rural areas were seen as the study progressed. There was a peak incidence during August.