UGANDA

EASTERN CONFLICTS
no concrete steps seem to have been taken in this direction to date. While this conflict
cannot be considered over, it has been alleviated by the Government’s efforts to disarm
the Karimojong, as well as the increased security in the region following the Uganda
People’s Defence Forces’ deployment at the Bagisu borders. However, participants
believed that if the Government were to withdraw or even reduce the number of soldiers
present at the border, the cycle of violence and the armed raids would recommence. 376
80. Conflict Between Babuya and Bhatikhana (Post Independence -
present)
Both the Babuya and Bhatikhana are Bagisu by ethnicity, and live in Bulambuli District.
The Babuya live in lower Bulambuli, the dry area of the district, whereas the Bhatikhani
live in upper Bulambuli, the mountainous part of the district. Natural disasters often
affect both areas, with lower Bulambuli suffering from floods during the wet season and
drought during the dry season, and upper Bulambuli suffering from land and mud slides.
The geographical separation seems to have caused a cultural division between the two
tribes.
The majority Bhatikhana occupy most elected political positions in the district, leading to
dissatisfaction among the minority Babuya. For example, the incumbent LC5 Chairman
and the region’s two members of Parliament are all from the upper region of the district.
Participants expressed a common sentiment that all effective development programmes
are directed to the upper Bulambuli people, leading to a sense of marginalization among
the Babuya of lower Bulambuli. These individuals expressed a desire for a district or
county of their own, in order to ensure fairer representation among elected positions. 377
The perceived discrimination and differences between these communities are detrimental
to peace. In 2011, for instance, when the Bhatikhana suffered from recurrent land and
mudslides, assistance and quick relocation was necessary. The participants indicated
that the Babuya, when asked to temporarily accommodate the vulnerable people of the
upper plain on their land, refused and vowed never to support the Bhatikhana. 378
81. Conflict Between Shana and Bagisu (1986 - present)
The Bagisu, the ethnic group considered to be indigenous in Bulambuli, and the Shana,
who are considered ‘immigrants’ from western Uganda, once co-existed peacefully.
It is believed that the Shana first settled in Budaka District and eventually migrated
to Bulambuli District. This peaceful coexistence was disrupted in 1986 when the
Government, in concert with the ‘indigenous’ Sabiny ethnic group, evicted members of
the Bagisu community from Kapchorwa District where they had settled, for illegally living
on Government land in Mount Elgon, as well as private land in Kapchorwa. The displaced
Bagisu returned to Bulambuli and occupied any open space they could find, claiming
land from the Shana in particular. The situation deteriorated as a result of increasing
districtisation combined with the effects of multi-party politics, which required each
376 Research conducted in Bulambuli and Soroti Districts
377 Research conducted in Bulambuli District
378 Ibid
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