education 14 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Sister Juliana Charik Drives Education for Marginalized Batwa in Bundibugyo
Sister Juliana Charik has spearheaded educational initiatives for the Batwa community in Bundibugyo since 2016, overcoming stigma and infrastructure hurdles to enroll dozens of children in school. Partnerships with CCFU and local authorities have built dormitories, classrooms, and sustainable farming projects to support their learning. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-sister-juliana-charik-is-powering-education-among-disadvantaged-batwa-community-5422798
The Batwa community in Bundibugyo District, evicted from Semuliki National Park in 1993, faces ongoing poverty and exclusion from basic services like education. Once forest hunter-gatherers from DR Congo, their numbers have dwindled from 300 to about 160 locals.
Education access for Batwa children started around 2015-2016 at Our Lady of Annunciation Bugombwa Nursery and Primary School, led by Sister Juliana Charik. She began enrolling them after community outreach, initially using a church hall despite initial dropouts due to unfamiliarity with formal schooling.
Facing discrimination—labeled as ‘dirty’ or ‘unruly’—Batwa children struggled in mainstream schools. Sister Charik launched a dedicated Primary One class in 2016, gaining district support with official curricula. Partnerships with Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU), church, police, and locals expanded efforts.
Progress includes a dormitory, classrooms, and toilets built by CCFU, plus cultural clubs and Batwa-language materials. Currently, 32 Batwa pupils attend primary (out of 172 total), with 24 in secondary: eight in Senior Three, nine in Senior Two, seven in Senior One. Six are set for Primary Leaving Exams this year.
CCFU supports 47 learners with fees, materials, and boarding, while a 3.8-acre cocoa farm aims for self-sustainability. Uganda Wildlife Authority provides transport and livelihood training in beekeeping, crafts, and more.
Challenges persist: holiday disruptions lead to lost discipline and uniforms; over 20 community children remain out of school due to costs. Sister Charik seeks government teachers and more facilities. CCFU’s Fredrick Nsibambi hopes to educate leaders for community transformation.
Batwa leader Geoffrey Nzito notes intermarriage threatens cultural survival amid population decline from 6,200 nationwide (2014) to 3,857 (2024).
Source: Daily Monitor