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| Access to Education and Health Services among the Batwa Population in South Western Uganda
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Friday Christopher, Omviti Nixon, Mucunguzi Denis, Ntirandekura Moses, Kanyesigye Shallon, Mbisi Enosh Muhindo, Teddy Akakikunda
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Abstract:
This research is an assessment of the level of access to education and healthcare services among Batwa in South Western Uganda, in the districts of Kabale, Rubanda, Kisoro and Bundibugyo. Batwa access to social services like education and healthcare services has been of great concern to Government Agencies like MoGLSD, other NGOS like AICM, Kabale and Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). As much as there has been attempts made to improve education and health care services in Uganda, there is still high-level lack of access to education and health care services across Batwa Communities, especially the four (4) districts of Kabale, Rubanda, Kisoro and Bundibugyo. Lack of statistical date to attest this fact has further let down continued advocacy efforts to improve access to education and healthcare among the Batwa. This study therefore set out to assess the level of access to education and healthcare services among Batwa in the 4 districts of Kabale, Rubanda, Bundibugyo and Kisoro with the view of examining factors that hinder Batwa access to education and healthcare services; and discuss measures that have been or could be under taken to improve education and healthcare access among the Batwa. It is hoped that the collected data and statistical facts that can be used for the future advocacy and lobby efforts to improve Batwa access to education and health services in South Western Uganda. Methodology: A mixed method of cross-sectional survey with 220 Batwa household heads sampled from 17 Batwa resident settlements, 17 Focused Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) was used. 17 FGDs were carried with Batwa Community Members in the sampled Batwa Settlements and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were held with District Health Officer (DHO), District Education Officers (DEO), Community Development Officer (CDO), Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) representatives from UOBDU, BMCT, UNCIDA, Kisoro Concern for the Marginalised People that work in the Districts of Kabale, Rubanda, Kisoro and Bundibugyo. In addition, secondary data from academic publications on Batwa, Ministry Health and Education Reports as well as reports and publications from different NGOs working with Batwa on education, health, human rights and livelihoods were also reviewed. The Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and MS Excel. Qualitative interview data was analysed using conventional thematic content analysis and the results were jointly presented with quantitative findings in Tables, Graphs and Charts with explanations of the analysis. Findings: Quantitative findings indicate that the distance to the nearest healthcare and education facilities are long (more than 5 km). Government medical health Centres often times lack drugs, there is low utilization of family planning methods among Batwa; high levels of illiteracy among Batwa population and school dropouts are strongly evident. On a whole therefore, education and health indicators highly and prominently show negative accessibility by Batwa. Conclusion: Improving education and health services among Batwa ethnic minority community in South Western Uganda must be priority of all stakeholders including Central and Local Governments. Where possible, policies specifically aimed at ensuring that Batwa ethnic minority community access social services with ease and within their reach should be made. SECTION ONE
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