Uniting for Peace and Development: West Nile Celebrates Ten Years of Peace

IN RECOGNITION of the 10th anniversary of signing of the Government of Uganda (GoU)-Uganda National Rescue Front II (UNRF II) peace agreement, Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP)’s community mobilization department joined Yumbe District and MAYANK Development Association and other development actors to celebrate this event. As the people of West Nile and Yumbe District in particular remember this landmark of peaceful achievement, attention is drawn to the fact that the peace process did not end with the signing of the agreement, it remains incumbent on all stakeholders to zealously guard this peace and all efforts must be garnered to consolidate it.

On 24^th December 2002, the GoU and UNRF II signed a historical peace agreement that has remained a milestone in the direction of ensuring security and stability in the West Nile region. Under the theme “Bury differences: unite for peace and development” different stakeholders discussed issues of peace, reported on progress made in implementing the commitments in the peace agreement and addressed limitations in the implementation process to celebrate ten years of peace.

Victims exchange and learning visit

JRP facilitated victims’ groups from across the greater north to convene in Yumbe, West Nile, to share, learn and establish connections with each other. Each of the groups presented their road maps containing a brief history of its activities, achievements and challenges. Romogi War Victims Association, for example, presented an educative drama showing the history of the UNRF II conflict, and the events leading towards the peace talks and the eventual signing of the peace agreement. This was followed by panel presentations on the roles played by the different stakeholders such as elders, government, Aringa Obongi Peace Commission (AROPIC) and women, during the peace process.

Following these presentations, the group was treated to an educative tour of Bidi bidi, a historical site for the Yumbe peace process where combatants were assembled and demobilised. This was an opportunity for the victims in other parts of northern Uganda to learn about the history of conflict in West Nile, the Yumbe peace process and the progress made and the challenges faced in implementing the commitments during the peace negotiations.

The elders’ fire place wisdom circle

On the evening before the main event, JRP facilitated an elders’ reflective fireplace dialogue that was graced by Major General Ali Bamuze, the former leader of the defunct UNRF II, the LC V chairman of Yumbe District, generals from the defunct West Nile Bank Front (WNBF), the JRP programme coordinator and elders representing the different parts of West Nile. Traditionally, the fireplace is the place where elders tell stories or share histories of their lives, of the clan and is a symbol of memory and intergenerational sharing. Punctuated by Aringa cultural dances, elders from West Nile, and representatives from Acholi, Lango and Teso shared and reflected on the different traditional practices and mechanisms for resolving conflict and maintaining peace in the community drawing a lot of similarities in these practices across the region.

JRP also participated in many other activities meant to mark the celebrations including the women’s’ forum and the very elaborate main event on 8^th December 2012 at Yumbe Boma grounds. Many victims regretted the fact that the Yumbe peace process did not recognize the suffering and sacrifices made by the victims as central and were thus forgotten in the final peace agreement. They urged other consequent peace processes not repeat this mistake but to ensure that victims are part and parcel of any proceedings. They also applauded JRP for facilitating such exchanges to enable them build solidarity with their counterparts across the region.

View the event here in pictures:

Visiting participants arriving Romogi sub county in Yumbe

Joyce Ayikoru - Coordinator PRAFORD chatting with victims

Romogi Group with the welcome song

Drama time

Bidi Bidi site tour

Bidi Bidi site tour

Group photo at Bidi Bidi site

Attending the main celebrations

Main celebration

Main celebration 

Departure time

Queen of Denmark visits MS TCDC

The Queen of Denmark, Queen Margret II visited MS TCDC on 6th November 2008. This visit excited every one as preparations were made at the centre for this historical moment. In this photo, the queen together with his delegation attending a debate by the participants of good local governance. This debate interested her majesty as it was discussing the topic "good governance and gender equality are foreign concepts imposed on the Africans".

Every one had a reason to smile. You can see here i was enjoying the beats of the traditional music as the drummers jammed it along.















All the participants of GLG (good local governance) seemed to be enjoying every moment of the day. From left to right; Zainah from Mozambique, Sira from Zanzibar and Sylvia from Uganda pose for the camera.

Saitoti; a proud Massai from Ngorongoro also a participant attending the good local governance course stole the show with his adorable Massai traditional wear.

Participants pose for the moment. I hope you notice the Tanzania/Denmark flags flying around. These participants are from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Southern Sudan.

Consortium of Child Rights Actors Petition the Speaker of Parliament

Child Rights Actors Petition the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Edward Sekandi

Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark the Day of Action on Violence Against Children on the 20th of October 2008. The theme of the day "End Violence Against Children: National Birth Registration is the First Step In Fighting Sexual Abuse Against Children" was so timely. A consortium of Civil Society Organisations against child abuse:Concerned Parents Association (CPA), Save the Children in Uganda, World Vision, Plan Uganda, ANPPCAN, Raising Voices and Defence for Children International called upon the Government to implement an effective birth registration programme as a means to combat child sexual abuse. In a colourful procession, the CSOs flanked by children matched to parliament and In the petition which was presented to the Speaker of Parliament by the children, the above advocates urged the parliament of Uganda to cause action on

1. Amendment of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1970
2. Enact a National Birth Registration Policy and
3. Institute a National Birth Registration Programme providing for registration at community level, with a waiver of all fees and hidden costs payable by any individual in obtaining a birth certificate and issuance of birth certificates at district level.
   

Have pictoral view of the campaign below;

(Children matching to parliament)

(The petition read by Beatrice Nasanga, a student of Agha khan to the Speaker of Parliament in the Parliament of Uganda)

(The consortium of civil society addressing a press briefing at Save the Children in Uganda Offices in Kampala)

I am proud to be part of this noble cause: Watch this space for more updates on this campaign.

Commemoration Prayers in Aboke

(A monument in the memory of all the girls who were abducted from St. Mary's College Aboke).

Commemoration prayers 2008-St. Mary's College Aboke

Once again, the 10^th of October marked the day when the LRA abducted 139 school girls from St. Mary’s College, Aboke in 1996. This day is remembered every year organized by Concerned Parents Association (CPA) and St. Mary’s College, Aboke. Each year a theme is chosen, to remember this day. On this 12^th anniversary, the theme was “Resilience for Peaceful Co-existence”. Parents, teachers, students, government officials, old students of Aboke, religious leaders, members of civil society, e.t.c gathered in Aboke to pray for Peace in Northern Uganda, for all those who are still being kept captive by the LRA and for the souls of those who died in the struggle especially Enang Judith, Anguu Jessica, Atoo Brenda and Namahela Louiza; May their soul rest in eternal peace.

For more information about the Commemoration prayers, please contact CPA: cpa-uganda@umul.com or cpauganda@yahoo.com

Policy Advocacy Course at MS-TCDC

An exciting experience at MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation in Arusha-Tanzania.

From 1st to 12th September, i joined a team of students from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Somaliland, Zambia and Sudan to understand policy advocacy. The centre itself is really a home away from home where anybody from any part of the world will definately enjoy. Every body in the centre is so committed to work and understand that they all play a role on the smooth running of the institute. Dinner times were the most enjoyable time as you get to meet everyone and chat till late. Oh i loved staying at the MS-TCDC.