Batwa demand special covid-19 vaccination arrangement

By Sophan Niwamanya

The Batwa community in Rubanda west county, Rubanda district is demanding special covid-19 vaccination, accusing the government of being left out.

Semajeri Guard the Batwa community advocate says that they are also at high risk of contracting coronavirus but wonders why others are being vaccinated and haven’t tested or vaccinated anybody from Batwa Community.Semajeri adds that it’s far too and from Muko health centers and they always don’t have transport means to reach those hospitals.

He asks the Government for special affirmative action, which includes health facilities, schools/institutions, political leadership, food relief, shelter among others. Norah Kyabazanga Florence and Zuena Charity Say that whenever they travel to Muko health centers for medical attention they are always treated badly, undermined, and marginalized. They argue that they would get herbal medicine from the bush but it’s unfortunate they were chased from the bush and whenever they dare try to cross to the bush they are hunted and killed by the army.

They add that if the Government cannot provide for the special social services they should allow them and get back to the bush. Hon. Moses Kamuntu Mwongyera, the Rubanda west legislator, promised to arrange with Rubanda district health officials and prepare for them special vaccination.

He adds that their views shall be addressed before parliament and ensure that they are considered on the Government programs. Batwa is a semi-nomadic ‘pygmy’ tribe that lived in the jungles of Ecuya, Bwindi, and Mgahinga forests as hunters and gatherers for centuries until 1992 when the government removed them from their ancestral dwelling in order to conserve wildlife.  Many allege that they were never provided with alternative land to relocate to.