On 21 May 2025, the Coalition of Pastoralist Civil Society Organisations (COPACSO) took part in the Advocacy Meeting on the Challenges Facing the Batwa Community, held at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The meeting united Batwa leaders, government agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders to address the ongoing marginalization of the Batwa people and to chart pathways toward land restitution, cultural preservation, and political inclusion.
COPACSO’s Role
As a key participant, COPACSO:
• Contributed expertise on indigenous land governance and customary tenure systems
• Advocated for formal legal recognition of the Batwa as Indigenous Peoples consistent with international standards such as UNDRIP
• Supported calls for enforcement of the 2021 Constitutional Court ruling on Batwa land restitution
• Engaged with community leaders and partners to emphasize culturally appropriate education, livelihoods, and political participation
• Promoted gender-sensitive approaches and youth empowerment within Batwa advocacy efforts
Through active involvement in multi-stakeholder discussions, COPACSO reinforced its commitment to inclusive land justice and indigenous rights in Uganda.
Key Meeting Messages
The meeting highlighted critical issues faced by the Batwa, including:
• Loss of ancestral lands and limited access to sacred cultural sites
• Endangered Batwa language and erosion of traditional knowledge
• Economic exclusion and barriers to education and health services
• Lack of political representation and participation in national planning
Participants urged coordinated action from government, civil society, and development partners to uphold Batwa rights and support sustainable community development.
Looking Ahead
COPACSO will continue to:
• Support Batwa-led advocacy and capacity building initiatives
• Collaborate with UOBDU, Uganda Human Rights Commission, and others in monitoring implementation of legal rulings
• Amplify Batwa voices at national and regional platforms on indigenous and pastoralist issues
• Promote integrated approaches linking land rights, cultural survival, and socio-economic inclusion
COPACSO remains dedicated to ensuring that the Batwa community’s rights and aspirations are central to Uganda’s development agenda.
