By Flavia Ajok
Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga has expressed concern over the rampant destruction of sacred natural sites.
In his speech delivered by Nyendwoha Mutiti, the 1st deputy Prime Minister and also Minister for Culture, the premier says the continued destruction and encroachment on sacred sites has resulted into the loss of biodiversity, plant pollinators, food and also contributed to environmental disorder and climate change.
Nyendwoha explains that the kingdom holds sacred natural sites in high esteem because they act as a medium of communication between people and their ancestors. He identified these sites as forests, lakes, rivers, trees, hills, mountains, insects, rare medicinal crops and plants species thus decried the disappearance of cultural practice and traditional food ceremonies noting that this is why there is increased food shortages and insecurity especially the indigenous seeds.
He has hailed the recent partnership between Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom signed with African Institute for Culture and Ecology-AFRICE that seeks to conserve and save sacred natural sites which are at the verge of extinction due to industrialization, settlements, encroachment and modernity.
Today, cultural experts from different parts of Africa including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda converged in Buliisa district to discuss and popularise strategies on how they can conserve these sites.
In a meeting organised by AFRICE on conserving biodiversity through strengthening community and ecosystem resilience under the theme of supporting the implementation of the activities aligned with the African commission resolution 372 on protection of sacred natural sites and territories under the East Africa sub region node.
Samuel Magambo, the acting assistant Chief Administrative Officer Buliisa district has revealed that on November 19, 2019, Buliisa district council passed an ordinance which is before the solicitor general for approval to recognize the customs of Bagungu saying they have also in partnership with AFRICE trained custodians to protect these rituals.
Magambo however says much they struggle to protect and conserve the sacred natural sites, the absence of indigenous seeds is hampering their efforts especially at such a time when genetically modified seeds have emerged yet they are not sustainable.
Fred Lukumu, the LCV chairman for Buliisa district explains that it’s time for Africa to start thinking about ways of solving their own problems.
Lukumu says sacred natural sites are focused on preservation of indigenous seeds adding that the emergency of several pests and diseases is as a result of the production of genetically modified seeds that are on the market.
Denis Tabaro, the executive director of AFRICE says that they started the campaign of conserving the sacred natural sites and territories in Bugungu, Buliisa because the public there is too attached to their clans and these are the custodians of these sites who have been protecting them jealously.
Tabaro says the custodians of 26 clans in Buliisa say they face resistance from some people whp believe that conservation of the sacred natural sites and territories is satanic due to the influence of western culture on to the Africans.
He stated that there is need for these structures to be resuscitated since the Africa Commission Resolution 372 empowers people to talk and conserve these natural sites and territories.
