How many organizations work with the Batwa around Bwindi?

At least 16 organizations are documented as working with or led by the Batwa around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These include Batwa-led NGOs, conservation organizations, research institutions, and community development groups operating in Kisoro and Kanungu districts.

Which organizations are led by the Batwa themselves?

Batwa-led organizations include: Batwa Development Organisation (BDO), Batwa Indigenous Development Organisation (BIDO), Batwa Indigenous Empowerment Organisation (BIEO), Action for Batwa Empowerment Group (ABEG), Bwindi Batwa Development Association (BBDA), United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU), and Batwa Development Programme (BDP). These organizations were founded by or are primarily led by Batwa community members.

What is the Batwa Development Programme?

The Batwa Development Programme (BDP) has been active since 1991 — the same year the Batwa were evicted from Bwindi. It operates in both Kanungu and Kisoro districts and has reached 1,187 Batwa. Its work includes land purchase, house construction, education (465 children sponsored from pre-primary to tertiary), healthcare insurance, agricultural support, and vocational training. BDP has over 75 staff and employs more than 100 Batwa as dancers, cooks, and cleaners.

What does ABEG (Action for Batwa Empowerment Group) do?

ABEG was founded in 2017 and registered in 2021. It has a mixed Batwa/non-Batwa staff of 23 and focuses on livelihoods and advocacy. It has served over 200 Batwa through economic empowerment programs. ABEG has its own Batwa cultural group with a negotiated UWA access agreement, and provides cultural entertainment at the Buhoma Visitor Information Centre. It runs microcredit programs and skills training in shoe polish, candles, crafts, and basket weaving.

Should I donate to these organizations?

Yes, with research. Batwa-led organizations are generally preferred over external NGOs by the Batwa community themselves — the 2025 VMGP consultations explicitly include a recommendation to "prioritize Batwa-led NGOs over external NGOs in development interventions." ABEG and BDP both have established track records. Before donating, verify current activity and financial transparency of the specific organization.

How many organizations work with the Batwa around Bwindi?

At least 16 organizations are documented as working with or led by the Batwa around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These include Batwa-led NGOs, conservation organizations, research institutions, and community development groups operating in Kisoro and Kanungu districts.

Which organizations are led by the Batwa themselves?

Batwa-led organizations include: Batwa Development Organisation (BDO), Batwa Indigenous Development Organisation (BIDO), Batwa Indigenous Empowerment Organisation (BIEO), Action for Batwa Empowerment Group (ABEG), Bwindi Batwa Development Association (BBDA), United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU), and Batwa Development Programme (BDP). These organizations were founded by or are primarily led by Batwa community members.

What is the Batwa Development Programme?

The Batwa Development Programme (BDP) has been active since 1991 — the same year the Batwa were evicted from Bwindi. It operates in both Kanungu and Kisoro districts and has reached 1,187 Batwa. Its work includes land purchase, house construction, education (465 children sponsored from pre-primary to tertiary), healthcare insurance, agricultural support, and vocational training. BDP has over 75 staff and employs more than 100 Batwa as dancers, cooks, and cleaners.

What does ABEG (Action for Batwa Empowerment Group) do?

ABEG was founded in 2017 and registered in 2021. It has a mixed Batwa/non-Batwa staff of 23 and focuses on livelihoods and advocacy. It has served over 200 Batwa through economic empowerment programs. ABEG has its own Batwa cultural group with a negotiated UWA access agreement, and provides cultural entertainment at the Buhoma Visitor Information Centre. It runs microcredit programs and skills training in shoe polish, candles, crafts, and basket weaving.

Should I donate to these organizations?

Yes, with research. Batwa-led organizations are generally preferred over external NGOs by the Batwa community themselves — the 2025 VMGP consultations explicitly include a recommendation to "prioritize Batwa-led NGOs over external NGOs in development interventions." ABEG and BDP both have established track records. Before donating, verify current activity and financial transparency of the specific organization.

Organizations Supporting the Batwa Around Bwindi

16 organizations are documented as working with or led by the Batwa around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These range from Batwa-led NGOs founded in 1991 to international conservation organizations and university research teams. This directory is drawn from the World Bank VMGP (December 2025), which consulted 14-17 organizations during its revision process.

Source: VMGP for the Batwa around BINP, MWE/UWA, December 2025; community consultations 2022–2025

Community voice: During 2025 consultations, the Batwa explicitly stated that "Batwa projects should prioritize Batwa-led NGOs over external NGOs in development interventions." The organizations listed first below are led by the Batwa community.

Batwa-Led Organizations

Batwa Development Programme (BDP)

Batwa-led

Kanungu, Kisoro

Land purchase, education, health, livelihoods

1,187 Batwa reached, 465 children enrolled in school

Founded 1991

Action for Batwa Empowerment Group (ABEG)

Batwa-led

Kanungu

Livelihoods, advocacy, cultural performance

Over 200 served through economic empowerment

Founded 2017

Batwa Indigenous Empowerment Organisation (BIEO)

Batwa-led

Kisoro

Land, health, education, ECD centre, advocacy

Active in Rushaga area

Batwa Indigenous Development Organisation (BIDO)

Batwa-led

Kisoro

Development and capacity building

Kisoro District

Batwa Development Organisation (BDO)

Batwa-led

Kanungu, Kisoro

Development and rights advocacy

Both districts

Bwindi Batwa Development Association (BBDA)

Batwa-led

Kisoro

CRM, Batwa Trail at Nkuringo

Southern Bwindi

United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU)

Batwa-led

Kisoro, Kanungu

Advocacy and mobilization

National scope

Conservation and Development Partners

Nkuringo Cultural Centre (NCC)

Partner

Kisoro

Cultural tourism, music, dance, drama, pilot cultural centre

Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT)

Partner

Kanungu, Kisoro

Land access, livelihoods, resettlement

Pro-Biodiversity Conservationists Uganda (PROBICOU)

Partner

Kisoro, Kanungu

CRM training, Batwa Trail, indigenous tree restoration

Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)

Partner

Kisoro, Kanungu

Health awareness, disease surveillance

Empowering Vulnerable Communities (EVC)

Partner

Kanungu

Food security, health, agricultural support

International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

Partner

Kanungu, Kisoro

Community development, tourism

Gorilla Organisation (GO)

Partner

Kanungu, Kisoro

Problem animal control, energy-saving technologies

Research Institutions

Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC)

Research

Kanungu, Kisoro

Research on forests and communities

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)

Research

Kanungu, Kisoro

Medicinal herbs, cultural sites, Batwa Forest Experience

Organizations Supporting the Batwa

Batwa-Led Organizations

Batwa Development Programme (BDP)

Action for Batwa Empowerment Group (ABEG)

Batwa Indigenous Empowerment Organisation (BIEO)

Batwa Indigenous Development Organisation (BIDO)

Batwa Development Organisation (BDO)

Bwindi Batwa Development Association (BBDA)

United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU)

Conservation and Development Partners

Nkuringo Cultural Centre (NCC)

Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT)

Pro-Biodiversity Conservationists Uganda (PROBICOU)

Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)

Empowering Vulnerable Communities (EVC)

International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

Gorilla Organisation (GO)

Research Institutions

Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC)

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)

Frequently Asked Questions

More About the Batwa

Livelihoods Programs

Land Rights

Batwa Trail

Social Projects