📸: 60% of Batwa people don't own land — report
Aug 31, 2023
The report further reveals that most people are dependent on forests for basic survival, and shelter. This, however, has caused them to be little known.
(L-R) Fred Ngabirano, Commissioner Youth & Children Gender ministry, Keneth Tumuhamye, Kanungu secretary social services and David Tweheyo Betega, CAO Kanungu. (Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Ivan Tsebeni
Journalist @New Vision
____________________ Prof. Elizeus Rutebemberwe from Makerere University presenting The voices of Indigenous Peoples of Uganda and Child Trafficking in Karamoja, A project dissemination workshop going on at Hotel Africa, Kampala. Fred Ngabirano, Commissioner Youth and Children Ministry of Gender, Labour a d Social Development delivering his remarks Dr. Sidonia Angom Acheng Dr.Viola Nyakato of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) (L-R) Abel Bizimana, District Chairperson Kisoro, Prof.Elizeus Rutemberwa from Makerere University and Mark Abuku,General secretary Karamoja Regional Development Initiative (KAREDI) Dr.Betty Bugusu, Technical Director, LASER PULSE, Purdue University. John Robert Ojang, Officer in charge of child and family protection Unit-Napak Dr. Betty Bugusu,Technical Director LASER PULSE, Purdue University Dennis Okori, RDC Napak (left) in consultation with John Robert Ojang, Officer in charge of child and family protection Unit-Napak during the workshop at Hotel Africana
About 60% of the Batwa people are still living in temporary settlements and, therefore, depend on exploitative casual labour, a report has revealed.
According to the report by Resilient Africa Network (RAN), most Batwa end up being absorbed into evils such as begging, betting, and trafficking.
The report further reveals that most people are dependent on forests for basic survival, and shelter. This, however, has caused them to be little known.
Presenting the report at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Thursday, August 31, 2023, Dr Viola Nyakato, the principal investigator of the research, said Batwa communities from 21 parishes around Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest still find it hard to access basic services including health, education, and markets.
This, she said has kept the Batwa communities at the back of development.
According to the gender ministry commissioner youth and children Fred Ngabirano, the Government is working out policies to protect indigenous communities in the country.
He said formal and legal steps are being taken to ensure that the indigenous communities are well-defined and respected.
"We have set our foot on the ground to have these communities well defined and respected. As the Government, our commitment is to see that all people acquire the dignity they deserve," Ngabirano said.
Batwa people live in south-western Uganda in the districts of Bundibugyo, Kabale, Kisoro, and Rukungiri. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest of Uganda was the home of the Batwa before they were evicted, causing them to become dependent on the Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Conservation Trust.
According to available information, the Batwa people are estimated at a population of 7,000.
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