Indigenous Peoples in Uganda have renewed calls for constitutional recognition, greater political representation, and stronger protection of their cultural heritage, arguing that continued exclusion has denied many minority communities access to essential public services and decision-making processes.
The demands were made on Thursday during the commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in Moroto District. The annual observance, marked globally on August 9, celebrates the contributions of Indigenous Peoples while highlighting the need to protect and promote their rights.
The event brought together leaders of Indigenous minority groups from across Uganda to discuss longstanding challenges, including constitutional exclusion, inadequate political representation, discrimination, language preservation, and protection of cultural heritage.
In the Karamoja sub-region alone, 11 minority ethnic groups are represented, including the Pokot in Amudat, Kadam in Nakapiripirit, Tuni in Napak, Tepeth in Moroto, Ethur in Abim, Ikuliok in Kotido, Ik in Kaabong, and the Nyangiya and Napore communities in Karenga.
Rev. Jane Chorey, the Pokot community representative in Amudat District, urged the government to create an additional parliamentary constituency for the Pokot, saying the growing population and expansion of sub-counties require stronger representation in Parliament.
She also called for government support and regulation of traditional birth attendants, noting that they continue to save lives in remote communities where access to health facilities remains limited.
Emmanuel Charinka, Chairperson of the Rwenzori Indigenous Minority Group, appealed to the government to include the Babo and Bakingwe communities in the Constitution of Uganda, saying their exclusion has left them without adequate representation in governance.
Charinka said the lack of constitutional recognition affects access to employment opportunities, education, healthcare, and other government services. He added that members of the communities often face difficulties during National Identity Card registration and are instead compelled to register as Batoro. He noted that despite submitting petitions to the Speaker of Parliament for more than a decade, the communities have yet to receive constitutional recognition.
Samuel Baker Abukong, Chairperson of the Karamoja Indigenous Minority Groups, said sustained advocacy since 2015 has led to significant progress, including parliamentary representation for the Ik and Tepeth communities.
He explained that the creation of sub-counties for minority communities has strengthened their ability to advocate for improved social services, governance, and representation in local councils.
In the West Nile sub-region, five Indigenous minority groups are represented: the Lendu, Gimara, Kebu, Reli, and Nubian communities. Samuel Ondiba, Chairperson of the West Nile Indigenous Minority Groups, said the Nubian community was for many years regarded as a religious group rather than a tribe before gaining official recognition.
He called on the government to restore Kango Sub-county, originally established as Kebu Sub-county in 1963, to the Kebu community. Ondiba also raised concerns over the occupation of traditional ritual sites by majority communities and discrimination in employment.
He revealed that in 2024, the community petitioned the Equal Opportunities Commission and filed a case against Zombo District Local Government after qualified children from the community were allegedly denied opportunities. Ondiba further appealed to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to gazette their communities, saying they have established cultural institutions and recognised leadership structures.
Barbara Babweteera, Executive Director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU), called for renewed efforts to preserve and strengthen Uganda’s cultural traditions instead of allowing them to disappear.
She said Uganda’s Indigenous minority groups enrich the country’s cultural diversity through their languages, traditions, and Indigenous knowledge systems, but continue to face exclusion from decision-making processes, lack constitutional recognition, and experience declining use of their native languages.
Babweteera noted that for the past four years, CCFU has supported Indigenous Minority Groups (IMGs) through dialogue, networking, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen advocacy for cultural rights.
According to her, the support has enabled the communities to engage government institutions on issues including language preservation, constitutional recognition, political representation, protection of cultural heritage, and participation in national development.
This year’s global theme, “The Role of Indigenous Midwives in Safeguarding Life and Well-being,” underscores the importance of Indigenous knowledge systems in promoting community health.
Babweteera urged the government, civil society organisations, cultural leaders, and the education sector to work together to recognise, protect, and promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples while ensuring their meaningful participation in national development without discrimination. The commemoration is held on a rotational basis across the country. This year’s event was hosted in Karamoja to highlight the unique experiences, contributions, and challenges facing Indigenous Peoples in the sub-region-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
