'Batwa need a home' - Kisoro boss
FR. Joseph Sebatwale, the Kisoro LC5 vice-chairman, has appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working around Echuya Forest Reserve and the central government to resettle the Batwa.
By Darious Magara
FR. Joseph Sebatwale, the Kisoro LC5 vice-chairman, has appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working around Echuya Forest Reserve and the central government to resettle the Batwa.
He was officiating at a ceremony where two community-based organisations (CBOs) and National Forest Authority signed agreements to seal a partnership to protect the forest reserve.
“The Batwa can develop only if the NGOs and government provide them with land. They cannot just keep moving about,†Sebatwale said.
He also asked the Bakiga and Bafumbira to intermarry with the Batwa.
The agreements and work plans known as the Collaborative forest management, binds the two parties to work towards sustaining the forest and developing the people for 10 years.
Patrick Musime, the National Forestry Authority regional representative, signed the agreements on behalf of his executive director Daniel Akankwasa. He signed with the chairmen of Murora Echuya Forest Conservation and poverty Alleviation Association and Kanaba Community Development and Echuya
Forest Conservation Association both of Kisoro. They were signed at Kagezi Primary School ground.
The signing was witnessed by Achilles, Byaruhanga the project head. Musime and Byaruhanga called upon the community-based organisations and the local communities to support the implementation of the agreements.
Echuya forest was constituted in 1939 but demarcated into a crown forest in 1941. It covers 45km with a stream and bamboo trees. It is also the home of one of the world's most unique birds Grauers' Rush Warbler.
FR. Joseph Sebatwale, the Kisoro LC5 vice-chairman, has appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working around Echuya Forest Reserve and the central government to resettle the Batwa.
He was officiating at a ceremony where two community-based organisations (CBOs) and National Forest Authority signed agreements to seal a partnership to protect the forest reserve.
“The Batwa can develop only if the NGOs and government provide them with land. They cannot just keep moving about,†Sebatwale said.
He also asked the Bakiga and Bafumbira to intermarry with the Batwa.
The agreements and work plans known as the Collaborative forest management, binds the two parties to work towards sustaining the forest and developing the people for 10 years.
Patrick Musime, the National Forestry Authority regional representative, signed the agreements on behalf of his executive director Daniel Akankwasa. He signed with the chairmen of Murora Echuya Forest Conservation and poverty Alleviation Association and Kanaba Community Development and Echuya
Forest Conservation Association both of Kisoro. They were signed at Kagezi Primary School ground.
The signing was witnessed by Achilles, Byaruhanga the project head. Musime and Byaruhanga called upon the community-based organisations and the local communities to support the implementation of the agreements.
Echuya forest was constituted in 1939 but demarcated into a crown forest in 1941. It covers 45km with a stream and bamboo trees. It is also the home of one of the world's most unique birds Grauers' Rush Warbler.