RWENZORI PEACE PROMOTERS LEARN FROM ACHOLI SUB REGION.

COMPILED BY:

GEOFFREY - 

PROJECT ASSISTANT KAMWENGE:

KALI in partnership with RWECO and HIVOS are jointly implementing a project on community actions to prevent and manage conflicts and human rights violations in Ruwenzori region. The project is funded by European Union.This project targets different stakeholders including the community, policy makers,  PWDs, PLHA, the media practitioners, LG, enforcement officers and the youth in and out of school, cultural and religious leaders.   

KALI joined other RWECO partners from Rwenzori for a learning visit to the Nothern region particularly GULU and AMURU Districts. The conflicts and human rights violations in the Rwenzori region are not in isolation as they tend to rotate around, culture, exclusion, discrimination and identity. Until the 1980s/90s when armed forces (NALU & ADF) fighting the government of Uganda took advantage of the already charged communities to wage war against the government. From that, there is need for the communities in the Rwenzori region to learn from other regions in the country on how they have participated in conflict prevention. Specifically the Acholi sub region that designed community actions towards rebuilding of the region after a total destruction. The muto oput  a traditional justice of reconciliation and recognized by the government contributed towards pacification  of the region.

Purpose of the learning visit to Gulu District, Acholi Sub Region

Rwenzori consortium for Civic Competence (RWECO)  for which KALI partners organized a learning visit to Gulu District, Acholi sub region. it aimed  at enabling the FPAs, staff, representatives of religious institutions and cultural institutions learn from the community involvement in pacification of Peace in Northern Uganda;  

Specifically, the learning visit focussed on participants;

 To enable FPAs, staff, representatives of religious institutions and cultural institutions learn from the communities their role in the pacification of peace in Northern Uganda, participate in the muto oput ceremony of cultural reconciliation and

         share lessons from the Religious, Political and Cultural leaders on their role in the pacification of northern Uganda

A team of 15 people from Kamwenge (FPAs, staff, representatives of religious institutions institutions) equipped with knowledge and skills of community,religious and political roles in pacification peace.

 LEARNING VISIT PICTORIAL.

 Above is Rtd Bishop Achola sharing the role played by religious leaders in the pacification for peace in the Northern region. Below is Deputy CAO Gulu district sharing the role played by different actors in achieving the current peace in the ACholi sub region.



GROUP PIC BELOW is Vice C/Man GULU in grey suite & pink shirt posing for  apicture with the visiting Rewnzorin teaam after sharing the role of Political leaders in pacifying peace in Nothern Uganda






Below is Coordinator RWECO (short sleeved shirt with vest) sharing purpose for the learning visit with a community group that promotes peace in Amuru district. behind him is the learning team from Rwenzori.

Effects of the war. a above is a visiting team taking picture at a mass grave of 22 people killed during the war. Picture below is a sharing from victimes of the war. women who were abducted by the LRA rebels and this group has mobilized 15 more groups of the same cause in northern region.

 

 Picture below,Director KALI and Coordinator RWECO handing over a peace promotion assorted package to JRP Coordinator, host! this package is  used by foot peace ambassadors during peace promotion activities

Picture below is, Religious leader, C/Man L.C.III from Kamwenge and Obusinga Kingdom sporks person in blue suit charting with Good hope staff in t.shirt.

The true look of Mato upputi! Two men being taken through cultural reconciliation process. this picture is at JRP Office. the latest of this was in 2016.

Picture below left  is Director KALI appreciating the role played by the victims of LRA war. women who were abducted by the LRA rebels promoted hand skills for earning a living to members and their children. this group has mobilized 15 more groups of the same cause in northern region

Picture below, two women group leaders from Kamwenge pose for photo with foot Peace promoter from Amuru District during the learning Visit.

                                                                        THE END

THE YOUTH & THEIR LEADERS, ANNUAL YOUTH PEACE CARAVAN-KAMWENGE.

The picture below, Fireworks youth group of Nkoma S/C Cleaning Mabale Trading Centre in Preparation for the District youth Caravan in Kamwenge

 KALI in conjunction with RWECO joined Uganda in celebrating National youth day. This started with youth week from 5^th -12 Aug 2017. During this week, the two youth groups in Kamwenge were engaged in different activities including; Cleaning Mabale T/C, Planting peace trees in Nkoma and Nyabbani Sub counties, Conducted a District youth caravan on 11^th Aug 2017 in Nkoma S/C & Finally took youth representatives to attend National celebrations in Bundibugyo on 12^th Aug 2017.

At the District Caravan, Youth from S/C presented their concerns to policy makers and were given feedback as well promising for further actions at Sub county & District level. Present in the Caravan were; Nkoma S/C youth C/Person, District youth C/man Kamwenge, Nkoma LC.III C/man, District Secretary for labor affairs on behalf of District Speaker, guided by the theme, “The Role of the Youth in Peace and Peace Building”  250 Peace trees (Eucalyptus) were planted by Kamayenje youth group in Nyabbani (50 trees) & Fireworks youth group in Nkoma S/C (200) as a sign of promoting peaceful co-existence along with environmental protection & remembrance of National youth day in their communities. 85 (F=34, M=51) youth/participants attended youth Caravan

In Nyabbani S/C, Planting Peace trees were officiated by the CDO-Jesca Kapasca, women Parish councilor, C/person LC.II and Kibale County councilor for People with disability.

Pic. above district secretary for labour affairs (guest speaker) planting a peace tree at Mabale C.O.U. looking in white shirt is District youth C/man,OC Police, S/C leaders and peace ambassadors of fireworks youth group-Nkoma S/C.

Issues presented by the youth at the district Caravan in Nkoma S/C.

• Youth are not given platform on any public function for youth mobilization on development projects.
• Parents slaughter animals for the youth (goats/Chicken) for visitors without consent.
• Youth have not been called for council meetings in Nkoma S/C
• Some Government projects target those already well off, yet youth can also keep goats, cows as projects
• Youth denied access to youth Halls in 14 sub counties yet, they were built by Samaritan Purse across the district to support youth activities. Out of 15 build, only one has been given back to the youth. (raised by the district youth C/Person)

Feedback from Sub county & District leaders.

• Nkoma S/C youth C/person promised to lobby S/C technical staff to include youth on attending sub county council.
• District youth C/person pledged to support youth where necessary to ensure they benefit from the projects at their disposal. He advised them to work hard & meet key requirements e.g. registrations.
• Youth leader promised to make follow up in CAOs office to ensure sub county leadership hands over youth halls back to the youth to help them coordinate youth groups and livelihood projects.
• Nkoma S/C speaker pledged to take youth issues in the council for support.
• District Secretary for labour affairs apologized on the issue of denial for platform to the youth on public functions. He pledged to mobilize against this across the district. He advised youth to actively participate.
• Operation wealth creation should be lobbied to support youth initiatives.

Picture below, O/C Mabale Police post sharing key issues causing high crime rates in Nkoma and linking it to the youth He appreciated Kali role of sensitizing citizens on conflict prevention,management and human rights.

Recommendations and immediate follow up actions

• Make follow up to the district speaker on the issue of providing platform to the youth leader on public functions.
• The issue of youth denial to access youth halls at sub counties will be given attention to ascertain progress.
• Allowing parish youth leaders attend council meetings at sub county level, C/man youth Nkoma S/C will be followed up on this.
• Make follow up on Operation wealth creation program to see entry points for supporting youth initiatives.

Key Remarks: The guest speaker Hon. Pascal on behalf of the District speaker Advised youth to start small and grow big. He asked youth.  As we celebrate National youth day, what is your independence from your parents?

He advised youth to stop targeting their parents’ death for their wealth as it is happening in Bihanga S/C. When a Parent dies, youth sell land to buy a motorcycle for Boda boda and in few days it’s off. This youth still remains a problem to the family. He reminded youth of HIV/AIDS and assured them that Knowledge is only power when it’s applied. The guest speaker advised youth to be agents of change & ambassadors to other youth in their communities.

 

 Above is the district secretary for labour affairs on behalf of district speaker delivering his key note address during the Youth Caravan in Kamwenge.

Compiled & Posted by

Jeff.