The Impact of Batwa Settlement Patterns on their Social Economic Development: A Case Study of Kisoro Municipality
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Date
2021
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Publisher
Kabale University
Abstract
The study aimed at establishing the impact of Batwa settlement patterns on their social and economic
development in Kisoro Municipality. The study was guided by objectives which included assessing the
causes of Batwa settlement patterns in Kisoro Municipality; investigating the challenges faced by the
Batwa community in Kisoro Municipality; and suggesting strategies to the challenges faced by Batwa to
enhance social and economic development in Kisoro Municipality. The study used a case study research
design and a sample size of twenty-eight respondents. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques
were used in selecting respondents. Data collection was done using focus group discussions and
interviews. Findings of the study indicated that Batwa have faced a lot of challenges as a result of being
landless, and Batwa women are at the center of different forms of violations compared to men, although
both genders experience some level of vulnerability and challenges such as racism, discrimination, and
human rights violations. Different institutions such as NGOs, churches and individual batwa
organizations (UOBDU) have tried to solve the challenge of the landlessness Batwa face, but there is still
more needed to implement and protect their land rights as other ethnic groups in Uganda. The study
recommended that there is a need for mass sensitization throughout Batwa communities and for men to
accept that a woman getting into higher positions of leadership is not a cultural degradation but rather an
opportunity for all Batwa strong people who can advocate for their rights rather than outsiders fighting for
them. The issue of resettling Batwa done by different stakeholders is an effort to improve their situation,
but it is not a solution because the given lands have no legal documents that confirm the Batwa's
ownership. In cases of con11icts between the batwa over land, it became hard to settle such disputes
without documents of ownership showing clear land boundaries. Most of the projects set up by NGOs
require land to be set up. and without land, their implementation is hindered. However, such projects
should also promote Batwa's culture such that their cherished traditional identity is maintained rather than
projects that aim to change them to be like the dominant societies. Therefore, for proper sustainability of
such projects, Batwa must be consulted on what they feel is good for their community rather than impose
on them a project which might not be of their interest.
Description
A Research Report Submitted to the Faculty of Education in Partial Fullfilment of the Requirements for the Award of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education of Kabale University
Keywords
Batwa Settlement , Social Economic ,Development