The Batwa community in Uganda is grappling with severe hunger, a multifaceted crisis
rooted in a complex interplay of historical injustices and contemporary challenges.
The forced displacement from our ancestral lands, a consequence of government
actions, has entrenched chronic poverty among the Twa. This displacement disrupted
our traditional lifestyle as nomadic hunter-gatherers with a mindset that stemmed from
the generosity of the forest in providing for everything, from food to medicine.
Our cultural mindset was one of abundance, with little concern about having enough
to sustain us through the next season. This unique perspective, rooted in the bountiful
offerings of the forest, stands in stark contrast to the scarcity philosophy prevalent in
agricultural communities.
The impact of this cultural difference goes beyond the absence of agricultural
knowledge; it permeated our entire way of life and shaped our approach to resources
and community living.
In the last decade, climate change has further compounded our predicament, impacting
the region and severely undermining food security. Lacking fertile land of our own,
we face the harsh reality of cultivating infertile plots, if any, exacerbating our
vulnerability to food insecurity.
The high levels of unemployment within the community amplify our struggles, limiting
our capacity to secure sustenance. Moreover, pervasive issues such as disease,
malnutrition, and poor access to education intensify all these challenges.
The Batwa, lacking the means to cultivate their own food, are disproportionately
affected by the rising prices of essential commodities, which have surged in the wake
of global political and economic problems. The enduring effects of the COVID-19
pandemic have added another layer of adversity, disrupting livelihoods and aggravating
the pre-existing hardships we face.
Addressing the multifaceted nature of these challenges requires a comprehensive and
empathetic approach that recognizes the historical context, cultural nuances, and the
The batwa indigenous people in south western Uganda are among minority tribe threatened by extinction due isolation, discrimination, high motility rate but mostly malnutrition problems that needs a quick strategic approach.
Hunger, and famines among the batwa indigenous remained a highest problem due to lack of land, seeds for planting and lack of agricultural skills .this left the batwa people in the in the oppression life of poverty, eating once or staying without meals for a day or days while our life remained complicated where majority of us do activities of begging, stealing and doing fornication activities to get money to purchase food, clothes, and other necessities. it is their fore clear to me that there is strong need batwa indigenous support of agriculture project, food distribution, distribution of clothes and proper improved housing among the 25 estimated batwa communities That are verified to be staying in the distrists of kisoro kabale and kanungu.
KARENYERE BATWA COMMUNITY
It is because we have lost our lands. We once lived and sustained our lives in the forests until the government evicted us for agriculture businesses, logging, development projects, and the creation of conservation areas. Without respect for our rights to ancestral lands, no compensation, no clear relocation plans or designated lands, we are left with no sustainable option to survive.
Thus, we call for immediate acknowledgement of our rights to our ancestral lands, as well as a special and immediate relief program with a special focus on the implementation of healthcare responsive to the needs of the Twa communities including all health work including maternal health, hygiene, nutrition and protection in time of the pandemic.
batwazindigenous@yahoo.com
+256777594229/+256770869720
