By Richard Onapatum
Kotido, Uganda- Cultural and religious leaders in Kotido District have taken a proactive step towards fostering peace and promoting gender equality through a transformative training on gender, peace, and conflict.
Organized by the Women’s International Peace Centre in collaboration with Nakere Rural Women’s Activists (NAWROA), and funded by Norway and UN Women, the event served as a platform to address pressing societal challenges and empower communities.
Held under the banner of the project “Nurturing a Culture of Peace and Tolerance in Uganda,” the training aimed to enhance leaders’ understanding of gender dynamics in peacebuilding, unpack the Kotido District Local Action Plan, and explore ways to influence positive social norms change.
Participants were encouraged to reflect on the barriers preventing women from participating in peace efforts and to foster change in their communities.
Key Discussions and Contributions
Diana Oroma, Peacebuilding Lead at The Women’s International Peace Centre, delivered an impassioned call to action, urging leaders to challenge the entrenched societal norms that limit women’s roles in peacebuilding and decision-making.
She emphasized that true sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the equal and active participation of women.
She highlighted the importance of cultivating inclusive structures where women are empowered to lead and contribute, and she inspired participants to be catalysts for mindset change in their respective communities.
The training explored understanding gender, power, women peace and security agenda with a special focus to women’s participation in key decision making processes including peacebuilding.
Pastor Calvin Eretu advocated for the economic empowerment of women, emphasizing the need to support income-generating initiatives for women and use resources to bolster girls’ education.
He challenged the community to utilize the 16 Days of Activism to champion educational and economic opportunities for women and girls.
Joseph Orisa Ag, Senior Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, lauded efforts to enroll street children in schools and underscored the importance of equity in addressing societal disparities.
He emphasized the need for exposure and training for women to understand and embrace their roles in promoting peace and development.
Father Samuel Lotuk and Anglican Bishop Simon Akol Aisu underscored the urgency of sustaining peace in Karamoja through economic empowerment and alternative livelihood opportunities for the Karachuna (youth).
They called for government programs to engage the youth and prevent them from falling into violent cycles.
RDC Charles Ichogor’s Leadership and Vision
Resident District Commissioner Charles Ichogor expressed a strong commitment to consolidating peace in Kotido District.
He highlighted the importance of alternative livelihoods for the Karachuna, citing the need to move them away from reliance on armed conflict.
Ichogor announced measures to allocate resources through government programms i.e the Parish Development Model (PDM) and microfinance programs, ensuring economic opportunities for the youth.
He also called upon development partners to document success stories as a way of inspiring other communities, advocated for the installation of a cultural leader for the Karimojong people, and pledged his office’s support for ongoing peace initiatives.
“It’s a collective responsibility to achieve peace,” Ichogor remarked, urging collaboration at all levels.
A Commitment to Lasting Change
Day 1 ended with participants reaffirming their dedication to fostering peace, addressing food insecurity, and promoting alternative livelihoods.
Leaders called for sustained collaboration between cultural, religious, and government stakeholders to achieve sustainable development and gender equality in the district.
This initiative represents a significant milestone in Kotido District’s efforts to address longstanding challenges and build a peaceful, inclusive society.
It also sets a benchmark for other regions seeking to empower communities through dialogue and collective action.