ETHNIC minority groups, such as the Batwa, Banyabutumbi, Lendu and Bahehe want special parliamentary representation and at all decision-making levels, reports Joyce Namutebi .
In a petition handed over to Speaker Edward Sekandi yesterday, the groups complained about “continued marginalisation”.

They also noted that their participation in social economic activities was limited since they were not recognised by law.

The petition was handed over by Margaret Lokawua, member of the Permanent Forum of Indigenous Peoples at the UN.

Joseph Mugisha of the Community Development Resource Network stated: “If women, youth and the disabled have MPs, the ethnic minorities also need representation.” The other special interest groups in Parliament are workers and the army.

Ethnic minority groups in Uganda include the Batwa from western Uganda, Basongora and Banyabindi (Kasese), Banyabutumbi (Rukungiri), Bakingwa (Kasese), Banyala (Kamuli and Kayunga), Bahehe (Busia), Babukusu (Masindi and Bugiri), Lendu (Nebbi), Iki (Kaabong), Tepeth (Mt. Moroto), Benet (Mt. Elgon) and Paluwo from Masindi.

The ethnic minority groups also demanded that the Government sets up a compensation fund to repay them for lost ancestral territories that were gazetted as protected areas, forest reserves and game parks.