Uganda

‘Should the Batwa be treated any differently?’ Batwa are a marginalized and powerless minority but also because their legitimate historical and continuing claims to the forest territories have often not been recognised, partly because the recognition of Indigenous People’s rights is so often resisted in the African context. Batwa of Mikingo Hill have not received land and are not afforded forest access, nor are the Batwa integrated into the mainstream projects being proposed by local government. Batwa of south west Uganda have been denied access to their forest resource base since the creation of the Bwindi, Mgahinga and Echuya forest reserves by the British colonial administration in the 1930s. However, with the establishment of Bwindi and Mgahinga as National Parks under the administration of Uganda National Parks in 1991, and with the subsequent input of international resources (GEF funding) the park authorities have managed to acquire the capacity to forcibly exclude the Batwa from the forests, thus destroying their forest-based economy. The Batwa clearly identify themselves as Indigenous people, and share many of the characteristics of Indigenous people expressed in Article 1 of the International Labor Organisation (ILO) Convention 169 Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries (Barume & Jackson 2000). The Batwa are also clearly Indigenous people according to the World Bank’s OD 4.20 guidelines. Although the Batwa are seen as the original inhabitants of the forest and of this region, these guidelines focus less on Indigenous peoples prior occupation and ownership of their territories than on their attachment to ancestral territories, their self-identification and identification by others as a distinct cultural group, and the fact that their distinct identity makes them vulnerable to being disadvantaged, particularly in the development process. Article 36 of the Ugandan Constitution asserts that ‘minorities have a right to participate in decision-making processes and their views and interests shall be taken into account in the making of national plans and programmes’. Articles 32 explicitly states the need for affirmative action in favor of minority groups: ‘the State shall take affirmative action in favor of groups marginalized on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom, for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them’. In general conclusion: BATWA HABITAT calls for a comprehensive review and further research & development based on the following recommendations. ⦁ Rehabilitation for the girl-child. ⦁ Water Sanitation and Hygiene. ⦁ Nutritional Health. ⦁ Sensitization & Self Reliance(Sustainability). ⦁ Resettlement, Cultural promotion and utilization of the natural resources, conservation, learning skills(business, vocational, tour guiding). The Batwa Music Club based at Mikingo Hill in Kisoro Town is a source of Identity, Unity and sense of belonging, which demonstrates how culture provides a potentially powerful force for mobilization in the face of development challenges in a nation and conditions under which alone a culture, traditions and customs can survive. The BATWA MUSIC CLUB seeks a right to: Exploration of the potential of Batwa cultural heritage, experiencing the good, desirable and natural beauty of the cultural landscape( ancestral homes):in an attempt to uplift the communities that have faced discrimination in the past; and develop an ethical consciousness towards the environment and the moral values of society. Developing a philosophy of unity and respect for Indigenous Knowledge as a cultural weapon to meet the challenges of the ever changing world of science and technology through Single Coordinated Systems that utilize multi-media to implement and maintain a multi-cultural exchange program around the universe, beneficial not only to the Batwa clan, but also the entire world of music and entertainment(oral narratives, poem, song, myths, legends, etc). Utilization of our natural environmental resources, in order to eliminate the harmful social and cultural practices affecting children of the Batwa communities. A structured reorientation program aimed at improving health and welfare, focusing awareness on the challenges and addressing their effects on the youth of now and next generations. Creatively, raising an intellectual and vibrant community.

• published: 24 Aug 2016
• views: 54