UGANDA

WESTERN CONFLICTS
103. Land Conflict between Bakiga and Banyoro in Kibale District (1966
– present)
The Bakiga migrated from Kigezi in south western Uganda to Kibale District in 1966.
This mass-migration was the result of a Government policy that sought to decongest
the over-populated Kigezi through assisted migration of the Bakiga to the, at the time,
sparsely populated Bunyoro. Since 2001, these immigrants have featured prominently in
conflicts with the indigenous Banyoro over ownership of land and district leadership. 454
The Banyoro claim that following their arrival, the Bakiga encroached on ancestral
Banyoro land, rather than staying on the land to which the Government had resettled
them. They also claim that the Bakiga have been ‘imposed on them’ by top politicians in
Government. 455
Participants argued that the problem between Bakiga and Banyoro in Kibale is an
‘imposed problem’; it is not that the Banyoro hate the Bakiga, but that ‘somebody’ or
‘a group of people’ have been ferrying Bakiga into the area to acquire land and settle.
Participants said that the problem has been compounded by the fact that Bakiga votes
now outnumber those of the Banyoro in Kibale. 456 As a result the Bakiga have taken over
political leadership in the area even though the Banyoro consider these Bakigas mere
‘immigrants’ (‘bafuruki’) who have overstayed their welcome. 457
104. Land conflicts in Kasese (1980s – present)
There are numerous inter-community land conflicts, especially between the Bakonzo
‘natives’ and Basongora ‘immigrants’. These land conflicts are particularly prevalent
in Ibuga, Nyakatonzi, Kiburara, Kishasha and Rwahingo, as well as Bigando in Hima
Town Council and in the corridors of Mount Rwenzori and Queen Elizabeth National
Park. Participants stated that they face problems with foreigners engaging in land
grabbing. 458 These areas are predominantly Basongora (traditionally cattle keepers)
and Bakiga migrants (traditionally cultivators). The areas mentioned are all lowland,
stretching alongside game reserves and Queen Elisabeth National Park. The gazetting
of the lowlands as wildlife conservation areas took away community land from the
Bakonzo who are now restricted to a small corridor of land between the game reserve
and the Rwenzori mountain ranges. 459 This also explains the present tension regarding
the demand of the Basongora for an autonomous Busungora Kingdom as well as for a
new district to be carved out of Kasese, and to be referred to as ‘Busongora’. Some of
the Bakonjo, however, insist that the new Kingdom would fall under the jurisdiction of
the Rwenzururu Kingdom. 460
454 Research conducted in Hoima District
455 New Vision Archive. (2006) Banyoro-Bakiga wrangle: time bomb in Kibale? New Vision, [Internet], 12
March. Available from: [Accessed 22 April 2012]
456 Ibid
457 Ibid
458 Research conducted in Kasese District
459 Ibid
460 Ibid
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