Years after being resettled by the Ugandan government on land in Karusandara Sub-County, the Basongora pastoralist community in Kasese continues to live in uncertainty. What was intended to be a new beginning has instead become a source of tension, violence, and dispossession. As land disputes intensify between pastoralists and cultivators, the Basongora find themselves at the heart of a struggle not just for land but for identity, recognition, and the right to exist in peace.
In February 2025, the conflict escalated once again. Armed with pangas, hoes and other weapons, the cultivators reportedly attacked Basongora cattle camps in Kabukero Village, accusing them of land encroachment and demanding that they vacate the area. At least twenty individuals were arrested and charged with inciting violence following the incident and many others were injured. These clashes are the latest in a series of violent encounters that have affected pastoralist communities in Ibuga, Nkoko, and other villages, highlighting the fragility of coexistence and the deep scars of unresolved land allocation and historical displacement.
Pastoralism is not a problem to be solved, it is a livelihood, a heritage, and a way of life that must be protected. We therefore call upon local authorities to urgently implement land conflict resolution mechanisms and protect these pastoral communities from further displacement and violence. We urge national policymakers to revisit and strengthen frameworks governing pastoralist land rights, resettlement, and historical claims. And we invite civil society, development partners, and the media to join us in amplifying the voices of pastoralist communities whose stories often go unheard.
The Basongora deserve more than temporary shelter, RIWE_AFRICA stands committed to walking this journey with them, until belonging is not a struggle, but a guarantee. At RIWE_AFRICA, we believe that pastoralist communities deserve more than survival, they deserve dignity and stability. In response to the ongoing crisis:
- Our team of community paralegals are facilitating dialogue spaces between Basongora and cultivator leaders to rebuild trust and reduce hostility.
- We are working with local leaders and district officials to support non-violent conflict resolution and land verification processes.
- Providing psychosocial support to affected households, particularly women and children caught in the conflict.
- Documenting events and testimonies to support evidence-based advocacy for policy reform on pastoralist land rights and restitution.