KISORO:
The Batwa in Kisoro have called for the intervention of the European Union to end the poor treatment and segregation they experience from the government of Uganda.
The Batwa shed tears yesterday in Gifumba village, Kanaba Sub County, as a delegation of nine European Union ambassadors visited the Batwa to assess their living standards years after their eviction from forests.
Ayinkamire Vasitina spoke on behalf of 180 Batwa members from Gifumba, Gitebe, Kagano, and Birara villages, describing their current state of life as worrying and miserable. She noted that the government has not taken measures to address their sufferings.
She said that the Batwa were once close friends with gorillas and other wild animals but were separated from them due to the love of tourism, which generates a lot of revenue for the government. However, the government does not remit any portion of this money to them for rehabilitation and development.
Ayinkamire also pointed out that the government is quick to intervene and assist other people during natural disasters in the country, but the same government does not help the Batwa.
She commended the United Organisation for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU) for following up with the Batwa and providing them with minimum services for survival. She called on political leaders to always address issues affecting the Batwa, particularly in the education and health sectors.
The Kisoro district UOBDU Coordinator informed the European Union ambassadors that the Batwa also face a challenge of lack of identity since their eviction from the forests by the government.
The Kisoro district RDC, Hajji Shafique Ssekandi, supported the Batwa’s requests on behalf of the government, adding that the government should provide free services to the Batwa because they cannot afford anything for themselves. He also called upon the government and the European Union to collaborate and find enough land for the Batwa.
The Bukimbiri constituency legislator, Hon. Eddie Kwizera Wagahungu, implored top government officials to always consider the Batwa in all government projects and other incentives given.
Meanwhile, the delegation of European Union ambassadors, led by Jan Sadek, declared their intention to support the Batwa through UN agencies. They stated that they would make a report to their countries and determine how and when to help.
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