The Koogere oral tradition of the Basongora — Intangible Cultural Heritage – Unesco
Basongora
Traditionally hailing from Kasese in Western Uganda, these pastoralist groups had also occupied the plains in the neighbourhood of Imaramagambo forest in Western Uganda.
Their traditional way of life has not only been heavily affected by civil wars in the area, but their lands have also been lost to conservation measures. The Koogere oral tradition, which is an essential part of their folk expression, is severely threatened.
Now numbering around 15,000 from a previous 40,000 figure, these indigenous people, right from colonial rule, lost 90 per cent of their land between 1900 and 1955 to establish the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After their homes and animals were destroyed, post-independence governments have neglected their plight and have rather given out more parcels of their lands for additional military and government projects.
