"East or west home is best," is a popular saying which denotes the special value and affinity some people attach to their traditional homes and environments.
This very sentiment is reigning among the Batwa, the former forest people in south-western Uganda. The ethnic group had for centuries lived in the jungles of Bwindi and Mgahinga with wildlife as hunters and fruit gatherers until 1991 when the government evicted them from their ancestral dwelling to pave way for the wild life conservation
They don’t want to visit hospitals, go to school or even attend prayers with other tribes. This is the story of the Batwa community, who although helped Uganda Wildlife Authority to come up with a detailed map of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, are so nostalgic about their good old days sharing home with wild animals. About 1,598 live in Kisoro, 774 in Kabale and 665 in Kanungu districts, and a few others are in Bundibugyo and Kasese districts. Two decades outside the forest life, Batwa are still unable to compete on equal terms with other ethnic groups in Uganda and they remain marginalised and the poorest section of the society. They believe they were owners and custodians of the forests but the government never allocated them alternative land, which is a violation of their human rights.
It is said that the Batwa live on the streets of Kisoro Town as beggars and doing petty jobs. Some live on small portions of land given to them by non-governmental organisations like CARE and International and Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA) while others are squatting on the fringes of the forests.
Worse still, in the areas where they live, Batwa are excluded from community activities due to illiteracy and are victims of tribal prejudices. For instance, they cannot intermarry with other tribes. This segregation stops them from freely mixing with others in schools, hospitals and places of worship.
Kabale district has built health centers and schools near their camps but surprisingly women don’t come to deliver from there or seek other health services, they prefer to use herbs. And very few of their children go to schools,
Despite being widely acknowledged as having the greatest knowledge of Bwindi and Mgahinga forests, Batwa have had no formal role in the conservation of the wildlife.
It is said that 64 Batwa elders and clan heads posses vast knowledge of the impenetrable forest and have drawn a detailed map capturing all physical features and important spots in the jungle, some hitherto unknown to the wildlife conservation workers in the area. They presented the map on July 20th to UWA, government officials Developed with technical assistance of experts, it details the territories inhabited by various clans,have attractions like hills, rivers, homes for gorillas, hot springs, mineral-rich spots, worshiping places, caves and gorges among others.
Estherr
info@wildugandasafaris.com
www.wildugandasafaris.com
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