Minister says government has no special plan for indigenous groups

Government has said it cannot exclusively plan for only 25,000 minority indigenous Ugandan citizens currently living without basic social services like education and health.

The state minister for Gender and Culture Peace Mutuuzo advised them to adopt the majority languages and cultures to receive services.

Last week, indigenous groups composed of the Batwa, Bamba, Banyabindi Maragoli, the Tebeth and others marched to the offices of Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) demanding for inclusiveness in the national service delivery.

“What we really need is to be considered among the indigenous tribes in the constitution of Uganda as you know they are only 65 tribes in the constitution and among those left out are tribes like the Maragoli," said Shabuni John Nandi member of the Maragoli Indigenous minority group.

Chelangat Sharon from Mount Elgon, a member of the Benet ethnic group said they are not recognised by the local government in many ways.

The rights activists said all humans have a right to enjoy basic social services.

The executive director of FHRI ,Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana said there is a need for a proper inventory of who the indigenous peoples are.

But Mutuuzo said the population of the indigenous groups in Uganda  (25, 000)  is small to cause government to review the existing structure of delivering social services.

“An indigenous community, say the Iki Iki are only 6000. It means that if you are to put up a school it will be primary school that they will all fit in it. But developing a special school curriculum for them will be very expensive," Mutuuzo said.