Who we are:
The United Organisation for Batwa Development in Uganda is a Batwa-directed, community-based organisation headquartered in Kisoro, Uganda. UOBDU was created in the year 2000 with the help of the UK-based Forest Peoples Programme. Our sole purpose is to assist the Batwa in improving their lives so they may live on equal footing with all Ugandan citizens. Why we exist:
In 1991, the Bat
wa in Uganda were formally evicted from the forests they have relied on culturally, physically, and spiritually since time immemorial. Many resorted to begging, or took up work as labourers on other people’s land, to survive. Today, the Batwa experience ongoing erosion of their cultural, spiritual, and social traditions, along with widespread social, political, and economic marginalization. UOBDU was created by the Batwa in response to these circumstances. The organization serves as a way for the communities to work together in finding solutions to the challenges they are facing outside the forests. Through UOBDU, the Batwa are working on securing land rights, education and literacy, sustainable livelihoods, improved healthcare, and institutional development.
