EOC ADDRESSES SYSTEMIC MARGINALIZATION OF ZOMBO’S KEBU AND NDRUKPA ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS

The EOC delegation, led by Presiding Member Denise Tusime (Left) Undersecretary Prof. Sunday Nicholas Olwor (Right) at Alangi Council hall in Alangi Sub county Zombo district on Monday May 12, 2025 photo/ Mike Rwothomio 

By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo

Zombo district authorities have recognized their failure to implement affirmative action policies to promote the inclusion and empowerment of the Kebu and Ndrukpa ethnic minority groups, pledging to prioritize culturally sensitive measures to uphold their human rights and foster equitable participation.

This commitment was made during a public tribunal convened by the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) on April 12, 2025, at Alangi Council Hall in Alangi Sub-County.

The tribunal brought together EOC representatives, Zombo district leaders, and members of the Kebu and Ndrukpa communities to address longstanding grievances rooted in systemic exclusion.

The EOC delegation, led by Presiding Member Denise Tusime, Undersecretary Prof. Sunday Nicholas Olwor, and Head of Legal Services Musema Miragi, emphasized the commission’s mandate under Articles 32(3) and 32(4) of the Ugandan Constitution.

The EOC is tasked with eliminating discrimination and inequalities based on sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion, health status, socioeconomic standing, political opinion, or disability, ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all.

The Kebu and Ndrukpa communities, recognized as indigenous minority groups in Uganda’s West Nile region, submitted nine critical complaints to the EOC, highlighting systemic barriers in employment, representation in statutory bodies, access to land, education, health services, political participation, religious rights, social inclusion, and participation in government programs.

Systemic Barriers to Inclusion

Musema Miragi outlined the grievances, noting that the Kebu and Ndrukpa face entrenched discrimination in key areas of public life.

During cross-examination, Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Ephraim Kumakech admitted that no deliberate decisions had been made to advance the interests of these groups in administrative or technical planning committee (TPC) processes.

Similarly, Senior Community Development Officer Walter Ongiera acknowledged the absence of affirmative action but expressed a commitment to future improvements, stating, “From today’s discussion, I see the need for affirmative action for the Kebu and Ndrukpa.”

The Kebu, primarily located in northwestern Uganda’s West Nile region and known for their blacksmithing expertise, number approximately 54,000 in Zombo district, with a significant population in Alangi Sub-County.

The Ndrukpa (Lendu), an indigenous group also found in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have a population of about 20,000 in Uganda, concentrated in Zombo and Nebbi districts. Both groups are recognized as indigenous minorities under Uganda’s constitutional framework, yet their cultural and human rights remain under threat due to systemic marginalization.

Education and Cultural Preservation

A key concern raised during the tribunal was the lack of a culturally relevant thematic curriculum in schools serving Kebu and Ndrukpa communities.

Mengu Celestinu, a Kebu community leader, reported that none of the 16 government-aided primary schools in Alangi teach in Kebu Tu, the Kebu language.

Similarly, Patrick Andhama, Secretary of the Ndrukpa Kingdom, highlighted the exclusion of the Ndrulo language in favor of Alur, stating, “We are frustrated that our children are forced to learn in other languages.”

Outgoing Zombo’s District Education Officer Nicholas Odeba admitted to inadequate efforts in promoting Kebu and Ndrukpa languages, noting that the thematic curriculum is “demand-driven” and that no progress had been made in language development.

He proposed establishing a district language board and identifying teachers fluent in Kebu Tu and Ndrulo to address this gap.

Odeba also announced plans for the construction of Alangi Seed Secondary School to serve the Kebu community, with work set to begin within this year.

Health Equity and Representation

The Kebu community called for the upgrading of Alangi Health Centre III to Health Centre IV status to better serve their healthcare needs.

Acting District Health Officer Mark Bonny Bramali revealed that health planning does not account for specific ethnic groups, relying instead on general population data, which contributes to inequitable service delivery.

While Bramali noted that two Ndrukpa and five Kebu individuals are employed at Warr Health Centre IV, he acknowledged the need for greater inclusion across health facilities and committed to addressing these disparities.

Land and Cultural Rights

The groups also called upon the commission to address the communities’ restricted access to ancestral lands, including the Awang and Lendu forest reserves, which were appropriated by the government in the 1940s.

These restrictions they claim limit access to traditional herbal remedies and agricultural practices, violating the groups’ cultural and economic rights as enshrined in the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Uganda’s Constitution.

The Kebu and Ndrukpa further demanded recognition as independent cultural institutions through formal gazettement, a step critical to preserving their cultural heritage and asserting their rights under Uganda’s Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act.

Peter Mungacel Angala, Zombo’s Principal Human Resource Officer, presented a clear and satisfactory response to the commission, outlining the district’s efforts to promote affirmative action for minority groups while recognizing areas for improvement.

EOC’s Call for Accountability

Musema Miragi directed Zombo district leaders to submit certified documents by April 19, 2025, detailing employee demographics by ethnicity, membership of statutory bodies, and resolutions on affirmative action.

“We need these documents to conduct a thorough audit and ensure accountability,” Miragi stated, emphasizing the urgency of addressing systemic inequities.

Prof. Sunday Nicholas Olwor cautioned district leaders against undermining the EOC’s authority, urging them to fulfill their responsibilities to serve all communities equitably.

Presiding Member Denise Tusime reaffirmed the EOC’s commitment to combating discrimination, stating, “Our presence here is to listen and address your concerns, ensuring no group is left behind.”

She assured the ethnic minority groups that “the commission is responsible to fight against discrimination and marginalization in society”

Tusime added “we thought our coming here will be helping to understand your misunderstandings or complains better”

Broader Context of Minority Rights in Uganda

Uganda recognizes 22 minority ethnic groups among its 65 indigenous communities, representing over 1% of the national population. Groups such as the Batwa, Ik, and Benet face similar challenges, including social, economic, and political exclusion, compounded by geographic isolation and historical discrimination.

The EOC’s efforts in Zombo reflect its broader mandate to promote affirmative action for marginalized groups, as outlined in Uganda’s Equal Opportunities Act, to redress imbalances caused by history, tradition, or custom.

The tribunal marks a critical step toward advancing the human rights and cultural dignity of the Kebu and Ndrukpa, with the EOC poised to monitor the district’s progress in implementing inclusive policies.