Batwa resettlement projects and integration of Batwa into local communities around Echuya Forest Reserve in Western Uganda

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Date
2011-11
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Kampala International University; College of Economics and management
Abstract
Batwa people as the native inhabitants of South Western Uganda have faced a lot of challenges since their eviction from the forests which were their ancestral homes hence living the life of slavery and squatting which all degrade their social status. This has led to the intervention of Batwa resettlement projects to help in the integration of Batwa into local communities. This study vvas carried out around Echuya forest reserve in the districts of Kabale and Kisoro so as to identify the Batwa resettlement projects around Echuya forest reserve, the challenges that they faced and the measures that could be taken to enhance the work of resettlement projects. The study used a descriptive design to explain in details the ways through which the Batwa people were being integrated in the local communities. The study population included the Batwa people, the local community members and the project officials. Data was analysed using SPSS to generate simple percentages that were presented in tables for easy interpretation. The study identified a number of projects that were helping to reset Ue and integrate Batwa people into local communities which included safe water and sanitation projects, education, health, housing, and agriculture. These were economically empowering the Batwa people, ensuring food security, health improvement and securing land for the Batwa people. Projects faced a number of challenges like low capital, remoteness of the area, illiteracy and conservatism of the Batwa that could force the Batwa back into the forest. However, these projects were playing a great deal to ensure harmonious living between Batwa people and local communities hence the study recommended that there is need for government involvement in compensating and resettling people for conservation to be sustainable as well as the sensation of Batwa people and local communities on their rights and the need for harmonious living.
Description
A thesis pPresented to the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Kampala International University Kampala, Uganda in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management
Keywords
Batwa resettlement projects, Echuya Forest Reserve in Western, Uganda
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