Happy World Indigenous People’s Day
On 9th August, 2024, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) commemorated the international day of the World Indigenous Peoples in Uganda together with representatives of Indigenous (Ethnic) Minority Groups, in Zombo District, West Nile.
Commemoration activities for the 2024 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
As part of the commemoration activities, a dialogue was held to celebrate the day, to launch the Indigenous (Ethnic) Minority Groups (IMG) Platform for West Nile, and disseminate its policy brief; and to foster networking and partnership between IMGs and relevant authorities to promote the realisation of the cultural rights of IMGs.
Representatives of IMGs from the Ik, Nyangia, Katibong, Benet, Kebu, Lendu, Gimara, Reli, Nubi; district leaders; Civil Society Organisations from Nebbi, Arua, Obongi and Zombo; Uganda Human Rights Commission; and the media participated in the dialogue.
Before the dialogue, representatives from various regions of IMGs visited the Kebu and Lendu communities to discuss shared challenges and collaborate on strategies for improved advocacy regarding access to cultural rights and essential services such as health and education. The cultural resources of the Kebu and Lendu were showcased and explained to both the local communities and the visiting indigenous minorities.
Proceedings from the dialogue and the launch of a policy brief for the West Nile IMGs platform
During his opening remarks, Hon. James Oyulu, the Zombo District Chairperson emphasized a need to not only promote the cultural rights of the Indigenous Minority Groups but also promote their political rights so that they can have a say in distribution of social services in their communities.
A range of concerns from IMGs was raised during the discussions. In particular, the Lendu and Kebu communities expressed their frustrations over the exclusive recognition of the dominant Alur Kingdom, despite the presence of other cultural institutions with established leadership that commands respect within their own communities. Additionally, the lack of gazetted traditional leadership among many IMGs highlights a significant loss of confidence and assurance. The Lendu King has been for instance coronated, but not gazetted by the government.
Indigenous Minority Groups also blamed religious leaders for misunderstanding culture and making a basis for deterioration of respect of cultural values, for example in emphasizing foreign languages instead of the ethnic minority languages.
The District Community Development Officer of Zombo District urged leaders from the indigenous minority communities to become familiar with government procedures for accessing services and having their cultural leaders gazetted. They pledged their support in advocating for the rights of the Lendu and Kebu and expressed their willingness to contribute to the refinement of the policy brief launched by the IMG West Nile platform.
After the dialogue, a policy brief for the West Nile IMG platform was launched. The policy brief highlights similar challenges that IMGs in the region face, such as the declining use of our mother languages, eviction from ancestral lands, limited political representation, public ridicule, stereotypes and cultural biases and lack of access to cultural sites. Their call is to have the freedom of exercising their human and cultural rights in conditions of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination to access, express and enjoy our culture. Read more about the West Nile IMGs policy brief
Background; and CCFU’s work to protect the rights of indigenous (ethnic) minorities
Cultural rights in Uganda are rarely valued, yet they are as important as any other human rights and they are provided for under national and international law.
Of the 65 ‘indigenous communities’ in Uganda, some are small indigenous groups. These are often singled out as marginalised groups, frequently facing several challenges limiting the enjoyment of their human rights.
Since 2011, CCFU has worked with 21 Indigenous Minority Groups in Uganda to address issues relating to advocacy, documentation of oral histories and enjoyment of their cultural rights and has supported the establishment of their regional (Rwenzori, West Nile and Karamoja) platforms and establishment of cultural enterprises. The Foundation also supported the establishment of a National Government and Civil Society Coalition to address the rights of indigenous minorities.