By Obed Kankiriho
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), through the Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project (UCSATP), has embarked on a socio-economic vulnerability assessment to develop targeted interventions for the Batwa community in Kabale District.
The assessment aims to ensure that the Batwa, a recognized minority group in southwestern Uganda, are fully included among the project’s beneficiaries.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement meeting at the Kabale District boardroom, Moses Anguria, Senior Social Development Officer for UCSATP, said the study will evaluate whether the Batwa are adequately represented under the project’s selection criteria and value chains, particularly in Butanda Sub-county.
Anguria explained that the assessment will examine participation in project components such as co-funding arrangements and group formation requirements for beneficiary farmers. The findings are expected to guide decision-makers in designing more inclusive interventions that directly support the Batwa community.
He noted that the World Bank, which funds UCSATP, emphasizes inclusivity to ensure that minority and vulnerable groups like the Batwa are not left behind. Following district-level consultations, the assessment team will engage directly with Batwa communities to capture their experiences and recommendations.
Meanwhile, Ronald Mutegeki, the Kabale District Chief Administrative Officer, said the findings should inform policies establishing special programs for minority groups, often excluded from mainstream initiatives.
Nelson Nshangabasheija, Kabale District LC5 Chairperson, called on the government to allocate specific budgetary provisions for the Batwa, noting that their unique needs require deliberate attention.
The vulnerability assessment is expected to generate actionable recommendations to help MAAIF and its partners design inclusive agricultural programs, ensuring no community is left behind.
