Betrayed? Minority tribes in Kasese District claim that
they demanded for the district split after realising that they were
marginalised but authorities say they will not allow a district created
to benefit only small ethnicities.
At least 90 per cent of residents in Kasese have
shown interest in the split of the district, according to a
parliamentary committee that was in the area last week on a fact-finding
mission.
Ms Florence Kintu, chairperson of the Public
Service and Local Government Committee of Parliament while meeting
Basongora and Banyabindi elders and petitioners in Kasese town said
they, however, were not convinced with the boundaries and other
modalities involved in new districts.
All stakeholders in the district’s five
constituencies were consulted but the minority groups insisted that they
want their own district in order to solve their problems such as poor
service delivery and denial by the majority right for land.
In 2010, the district council resolved to split the
mother Kasese into Kasese, Bwera and Rwenzururu districts but the
minority tribes, Basongora and Banyabindi rejected the proposal calling
for their own district, Busongora.
Ms Lucy Kamya Abwooli, a resident, said: “Bakonzo
have forced our children to learn Lukonzo in government schools which
has killed our culture. We feel this is the time for us to have our own
district which would address most of our demands.”
Bart Atwooki Kitakakaire, who led the Banyabindi,
told the MPs that it was the minority groups that demanded for the
district split after realising that they were marginalised.
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However, Mr David Muhumuza (Mwenge North) said the
Bakonzo have vowed not to release the lower lands to the minority tribes
since they contain all the resources and lakes for the fish which is
their favourite dish.
But the district chairman, Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo,
insisted that the resolution of council still stands and warned that his
leadership will not accept a district created to benefit only small
ethnicities because it would create more confusion.
Ms Kintu (Kalungu) was accompanied by Ignatius
Besisira (Buyaga east), David Muhumuza (Mwenge north), Keneth Bosa
Kiyingi (Mawokota South) and Maate Joseph Kireghegya (Bughedera County)
