Solidarity Statement issued at the end of the Tepeth and Benet Mosopisyek Indigenous Women Exchange held in Moroto, Uganda - 3 May 2024
Introduction
We, the Tepeth and Benet Mosopisyek indigenous women, stand in solidarity to present issues that specifically affect us as primary land users in the work of Tororo Cement Limited (TCL), which is carrying out mining activities in our area. The pollution of the land, water, and air makes our people sick. When mining pits are left open and not refilled, we risk our animals and children falling into them. Also, these areas where the mining is taking place, cannot sustain crop growth anymore. The leasing/sale of huge chunks of land affects our food production, and it is us women and our children who must walk long distances in search of food and clean water for our families.
We also continue to experience climate change impacts that have increased over the past 10 years, considering the loss of our species in this community that protect mother earth. Such temperature rise would mean more widespread hunger, disease, and death for us. Every new mining lease or sale increases climate change.
We are not against TCL mining in our community because we welcome development activities aimed at improving our economic status. However, we are saying NO to mining operations which are damaging to our people, land and nature and we demand that TCL respects our indigenous land rights. We must return land to the governance of Tepeth indigenous peoples and regenerate native biodiversity.
We, the indigenous women of the Tepeth community in Karamoja region, the Benet Mosopisyek indigenous women stand united in our demand for our rights. We, therefore present the following demands aimed at protecting our land, life, and livelihoods:
- NO to Sale, YES to Lease of 49 years: We firmly oppose the perpetual sale of our ancestral land totalling 122 acres, along with an additional 10,000 acres that TCL wants to take. However, we are open to the possibility of leasing the land in a responsible and democratic manner.
- Preserve Communal land Ownership: We reject any attempt to change the Tepeth certificate of communal ownership to freehold tenure. Our land has been collectively owned and managed by our community for generations, and we insist on retaining this communal ownership structure.
- Compensation for the first Mining Lease: We demand that TCL compensates fairly our community for the mining activities for lease granted in 2003. The exploitation of our resources has had significant negative impacts on our land, environment, and livelihoods.
- Inclusive Community Engagement: We insist that TCL involves women from our community in the negotiations and signing of Community Development Agreements (CDAs). Women are disproportionately affected by mining activities, and our voices must be heard and respected in decision-making processes. Our consent matters too.
- Protection of community leaders: We call for an end to the harassment and threats faced by women and other community members advocating for rights. Everyone has the right to speak and defend land and livelihoods without fear of intimidation or reprisal.
- No to child labour: TCL should not employ our children in the mines. Children should be in schools and not working in the mines or along the supply chain. Therefore, should put in place measures to address the issue of children who are working in the mines.
We must defend indigenous land sovereignty justly, not erasing indigenous minorities in communities with poor majorities. We hold knowledge and care for the land.
In conclusion, our community’s well-being and that of future generations’ depends on the protection of our ancestral land. We therefore call for transparent, and inclusive engagements between the community, the government, and Tororo Cement Ltd. The engagements must be fair, democratic, consensual and free from coercion.
Endorsed by:
Tepeth Indigenous Community Women
Benet Mosopisyek Indigenous Community Women
