THE BATWA PEOPLE

The Batwa people are the original rainforest’s inhabitants they are also called Pygmies. They usually lived in the rainforests of Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda where they lived for over 500,000 years, there were no destruction of forests they lived in harmony with their rainforests, wildlife including the Mountain Gorillas.

Many Ugandans called the Batwa people Gorilla killers, but the Batwa do not and have not eaten Gorillas, instead, they coexisted with them for centuries. However, a few of them would hunt them down in instances where money was used as an incentive.

Today, the Batwa are stigmatized as Gorilla killers and poachers and are readily blamed for any poaching that takes place in Bwindi impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Park. But in reality, the Batwa were the protectors and keepers of the Gorilla Families until the Bantu people who cut down the forests came to the area.

The Batwa people were recognized in the Rwanda Kingdom when it became a kingdom and they also used to pay tribute to the Tutsi King in very many different forms as Dancers, warriors, and advisers.

Their Life in Uganda changed drastically in 1991 when Mgahinga Gorilla National park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Batwa received no form of compensation in terms of money or Land. This also led to the surroundings of the park to be heavily guarded so that people don’t encroach on the park’s land and more so the Forests. Without the forests, we would not have the Gorillas today. Without the Gorillas, we would not have the current prevalent foreign income that we receive through tourism and other related benefits.

The Batwa were now reduced to people without rights, they were now beggers, poachers and outcasts. The Batwa people without land of their own were now at a disadvantage to compete in the modern marketplace.

There are about 3000 people of the Batwa people today, its true people too can become extinct. Some concerned people and agencies are working tooth and nail to revive the Batwa people.

The Batwa group of people has organizations within Uganda that are speaking out for them and making a difference on their behalf, one of them is The Batwa Development Program (BDP), it is supported by the Kellerman Foundation, a US – based nonprofit organization.

This program together with the government have been able to create very many developmental projects like

The Batwa cultural Trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The Buniga Batwa Forest Walk and village visit Program.
The Batwa experience at Buhoma

The Batwa people have recently been compensated by the Government, the minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu on April 26, 2019 handed over two pieces of land measuring 7.5 acres worth UGX 180 Million to a group of 35 people of the Batwa community neighboring Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. One piece of land is situated in Musana while the other is situated in Nyagacence both in Kisoro District.

The Group of Batwa people that were awarded comprises of people who have been greatly working with Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA) to entertain tourists and give them a memorable experience around Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable national park said Mr. Mwandha the Executive Director of UWA.

Mr. Mwandha expressed positive hope that with the acquisition of land, the Batwa community have will start engaging in farming and hence alleviate poverty. “It is my hope that the Batwa will use this land for farming projects such as Irish potato growing and livestock rearing. The crops will be used for food and the surplus sold for income to meet other household needs, as well as education of their children”

The Batwa Trail Tourism Product was developed in MGNP in July 2010 to diversify tourism activities in Mgahinga by sharing the unknown Batwa culture with the tourists as well as improving the Batwa livelihood. The Batwa used to earn a living from in Mgahinga forest before it was gazetted a national park and they have a strong attachment to the forest.

To date, the Batwa trail product has transformed the Beneficiaries with skills, gained confidence through exposure and they are able to generate extra income through handicrafts and are now integrated with other communities in various areas.

On your Uganda gorilla trekking safari, we highly encourage you to visit the Batwa community so as to contribute on the Nobel cause.

Below are some of our packages to Murchison Falls National Park to take on a Uganda safari tour;

3 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari tours, 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Bwindi, 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Bwindi, 6 Days Chimpanzee safari tours & Wildlife Tour, 10 DAYS JINJA – SIPI- KIDEPO-MURCHISON SAFARI, 9 DAYS HOT SPRINGS SAFARI AND WILDLIFE SAFARI, 7 DAYS IN MURCHISON FALLS, KIBALE, AND BWINDI , 13 DAYS JINJA – QUEEN ELIZABETH AND BWINDI SAFARI , 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale and Bwindi, 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari in uganda, 17 Days Kidepo-All Uganda Safari, 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari Tour,