The power of school debates in conflict prevention and Human Rights Violetion in Kamwenge

Picture below shows Participation of in-school youth with disability at Rwamwanja SS during a school debate in Nkoma S/C

As Kali Continues to implements Community actions to prevent and manage conflicts and human rights violations project in Kamwenge District, it’s aimed ensuring an increased and coordinated involvement of well-informed citizens to prevent and manage conflicts, monitor and take action to improve the human rights situations in Uganda. 

In respect to this, Kali Conducted School debates in 03 Secondary schools of; Kamwenge Voc. &Sec. in Kahunge S/C, Rwamwanja S.S in Nkoma S/C & Nyabbani SS in Nyabbani S/C. Sub county Leaders were mobilized & attended. LC.III Nkoma, Speaker Kahunge S/C and S/C Chief Nyabbani. The in-school youth were engaged and sensitized on peaceful co-existence, encouraged to become conflict sensitive and timely report human rights violation issues within their communities. The in school youth focused debates was conducted between 19^th -22^nd June-017. 

Picture below shows S/c speaker Kahunge sharing how important it is for them to timely report violation cases with students of Kamwenge Voc.

& Secondary after the debate.

 

Motion of discussion was; “Conflicts are as a result of absence of peaceful Co-existence coupled with low completion of secondary and tertiary levels”.

Qn: To what extend is the statement true? What can you do to promote peaceful co-existence in our Communities?

The motion aimed at probing causes of conflicts, role of school dropout in conflicts and how it can be prevented in communities.

Attendance:

School Name	Participants
	M	F	Total
Kamwenge Voc. &Sec	130	125	255
Rwamwanja SS	107	121	228
Nyabbani SS	119	117	236
Total	356	363	719

Objectives of the activity was;

• To Increase the number of peace promoters among school youth of age 12-24
• To come up with more view on causes of conflicts, proposed solutions.

Challenges met and mitigation measures

Some students could not properly articulate issues in English. Mitigation; we encouraged students to use local language where possible so that issues are not left out.

Recommendations and immediate follow up actions

These schools have Patriotism & Peace clubs which can be engaged further on timely reporting issues of Human rights and Conflict prevention.

Lessons learned

Students are aware of causes of conflicts & low enforcement of existing laws which can help in preventing & managing conflicts & HR abuses in their communities.

Issues Raised during the focused debates.

Students were guided right from school mobilization on keeping their views on conflict triggers within their communities. They raised issues of; Ignorance of the laws Uganda, High Poverty levels in homes, Land wrangles, -Cultural Differences, Drug Abuse, -Early marriages, Insecurity, -Opening bars early hours of day, Insufficient services eg; H20,Medicare,Witch crafts, Permissiveness in society & un employment. Settlement of refugees ignoring the indigenous.

 

Solutions suggested by students.

-We can be voice of the voiceless – Student from Nyabbani SS.

-Enforce existing laws with strictness, Sensitization on Equity & Rights, Regulate hours of Opening bars, Start farming & business in homes, go back to school campaign.

C/Man LC.III Nkoma highlighted ignorance, High poverty levels & early marriages as key in causing conflicts in societies. He challenged students to get focused and Value Skills training. Speaker Kahunge challenged students to report Human Rights violations issues to Leaders at all levels.

C/Person LCIII Nkoma S/C handing black books to students who participated in the debate after sharing with in-school youth. as Kali staff looks on.

 

Conclusion: The 719 (M=356, F=363) students reached agreed to be Peace ambassadors in their Families. These schools have Patriotism & Peace clubs which can be engaged further on issues of Human rights and Conflict prevention.

Compiled by 

Jeff.