Meet Alice Nyamihanda, the Batwa Pygmy Member of Parliament.

Opinion

Congratulations to you for reading this article and to you, Ugandan glory to God because at 59 years of independence, it is a great time to be alive, wouldn’t you agree?

The headlight probably has you confused, and I can imagine why because am sure you searched the entire internet for a Mutwa MP but none to be found, but imagine with me for just one minute.

These are my reasons, why Alice Nyamihanda is going to be the Next Member of Parliament for the Batwa, are you ready?

1. Education guarantees meteoric rise

At Twenty-two-year of age, Alice Nyamihanda was the pride of her community of former Batwa pygmy forest-dwellers in Uganda.

Between 2008- 2010, she graduated with a diploma in Development Studies at Bugema University.

I can only imagine how it must have felt, to be the only one of her kind to graduate, some thought her origin was Rwanda, others Democratic Republic of Congo, Kisoro but in her heart, her home was in the forest.

2. Employment

Nyamihanda is employed by United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UBDOU) where she serves as Education officer and Tourism officer and since that time to date, a number Batwa are studying while others have graduated.

3. Conservationist

Nyamihanda has been identified for her efforts in conserving the environment through various projects that involve Batwa and other tribes. According to Nyamihanda, when you treat the environment with disgrace, it will simply reciprocate

4. Rights advocate.

Since her time at UBDOU, Nyamihanda has advocated for the rights of Batwa especially those who are wrongly accused.

It is a common scene to find a Mutwa being discriminated, abused or harassed but according to Alice Nyamihanda, with more education, patience and understanding, they too can be normal people.

5. Land Owner and Advocate

Nyamihanda believes that all Batwa should have an equal right to own land and cultivate and do business.

Majority of the Batwa are land squatters and work as menial laborers which is disheartening.

Challenges:

According to Nyamihanda, the Batwa are still discriminated and worse still, the children of the Batwa are from mixed tribes but no one wants to raise them as their own.

Well, I believe the timing is right because at 59 years, Uganda has grown leaps and bounds including in our representation at Parliament and local Government level, so think about!