Threats and Opportunities of Utilization of Indigenous Knowledge in Policy Making Processes. Case Study: the Batwa of Kisoro District

Abstract

This study sets out to investigate policy threats and opportunities in the utilization of indigenous knowledge in policy making processes with the focus on Batwa people in Kisoro District. This is against the background of increasing concern that most policies that affect the Batwa have not been sustainable because they are not guided by their knowledge. Attention is given to investigating people’s perceptions towards the utilization of indigenous knowledge, and investigating policy threats and opportunities involved in utilization of indigenous knowledge in policy making processes.

A review of indigenous knowledge and policy literature findlittle on the relationship between indigenous knowledge and policy making process, again, there’re no relevant theories. The study takes the notion of policy threats and opportunities in utilization of indigenous knowledge and applies stakeholder analysis, and advocacy frame work theories to produce a robust theoretical tool to explore threats and opportunities utilization of indigenous knowledge in sustainable development policy making processes.

Because of the nature of the study that involved seeking understanding of people’s interpretations, perceptions, opinions, and ideas on the study, a phenomenological qualitative case study research design was employed. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select respondents for the study and in-depth interviews and focus group discussions and their corresponding research tools; in-depth interview guides and focus group discussion guides respectively were used to collect data.

Research results confirm that there are many opportunities in utilizing indigenous knowledge in policy making processes, among which include sponsorships of Batwa children, the favourable 2014 UWA policy, the Batwa representation at every decision making process, support from international programs, consultative and participatory involvement of the Batwa, forest resource use programs and the gazetting of Buniga Forest for the Batwa use.

On the other hand, despite of the many opportunities in utilising indigenous knowledge in policy making processes the findings reveal that indigenous knowledge is threatened in the following ways : Lack of scientific explanation of how it works, inability to provide policy solutions to some policy issues, lack of documentation, lack of enough research, inadequate participation of indigenous users in decision making, biasness, the effect of globalization, the dying of the custodians of indigenous knowledge among other threats.

Finally, drawing from the research findings, the researcher recommends documentation of indigenous knowledge, integration of indigenous knowledge in the Uganda National Education Curriculum , involvement of indigenous knowledge users in policy making processes, and the development of the Uganda national indigenous knowledge policy.

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