In 2006, NGOs in Uganda launched a Quality Assurance Certification Mechanism (QUAM) as

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2 In 2006, NGOs in Uganda launched a Quality Assurance Certification Mechanism (QUAM) as a self regulation initiative for all NGOs in Uganda. The mechanism is meant to promote NGOs adherence to generally acceptable ethical standards and operational norms. Members of the QUAM Secretariat visited and conducted a comprehensive assessment of RFPJ on November 30th 2016 to ascertain her compliance with QUAM minimum standards. Upon her satisfactory performance, the National NGO Certification Council awarded RFPJ on December 14th 2016, a STANDARD Certificate which is the second last stage of highest quality performance. Excerpts from the New Vision of Monday, January 2nd, 2017

3 FOREWORD Dear members of the RFPJ fraternity, The Board, Management and Staff of RFPJ wish to congratulate you upon completing the Year 2016 and wish you a peaceful New Year, was dotted with a series of national and regional events that directly undermined peace in the Rwenzori region. Of these events, the post 2016 election violence and the October-December 2016 skirmishes in Kabarole, Bundibugyo and Kasese districts unprecedentedly left the region more disintegrated. In particular, these incidents rekindled historical intra and intergroup tensions and created new threats to peace and nonviolence. Unfortunate incidents of violence in 2016 are not a red-card to peace actors. Rather, these incidents act as learning occasions and call for more resilience in our effort to foster peace and non violence. Importantly, these incidents point at the fragility of the Rwenzori region, the dynamics of peace building and the indomitable need for peace actors to desist from projectising peace work and invest in long-term approaches to peace building and violence prevention. In 2016, RFPJ took bold horizontal and vertical interventions within her mandate to further occasions of peace and non-violence. Interventions rotated around implementing peace education and awareness campaigns; building individual and group capacities to foster peace and nonviolence; strengthening synergies and coordination mechanisms; and advocating for the culture of peace and nonviolence. We extend our utmost appreciation to our member organizations and partners for making our contribution towards a peaceful Rwenzori region in 2016 possible. In an inimitable way, we applaud the RFPJ fraternity for developing a Three-Year Development Plan; Guided by this plan, we hope and believe that RFPJ shall continue with its good coordination work to foster the much needed healing and reconciliation, justice, peace and the culture of non violence in the Rwenzori region and beyond. Best regards, Twebaze Gerald Tuhaise Francis.... Board Chairperson - RFPJ.. Coordinator - RFPJ 1

4 ABOUT RFPJ In 2002, civil society organizations (CSOs) involved in peace building and human rights work in the Rwenzori region established RFPJ. By establishing RFPJ, CSOs envisioned having a convergence of synergies under one peace building and violence prevention platform. Under this platform, CSOs planned to galvanize other CSOs, individuals, institutions and other relevant actors, both within and outside of the platform and the Rwenzori region to promote peace and nonviolence. As part of growth, RFPJ secured a national legal mandate in Though still practically operating in the Rwenzori region, the national legal mandate opens more opportunities for the forum to engage at national level. RFPJ Vision: A peaceful society where there is observance of equal rights and harmonious coexistence for sustainable development in the Rwenzori Region, Albertine Grabben and other parts of Uganda. RFPJ Mission: To strengthen peace building processes of Member Organisations through capacity building, networking, information sharing and joint lobbying and advocacy for sustainable peace and justice in the Rwenzori Region, Albertine Grabben and other parts of Uganda. SYNOPSIS OF THE 2016 ENVIRONMENT UNDER WHICH RFPJ OPERATED a) Governance, Violence and Conflict Post-2016 schemes of violence and conflict. Following the February 2016 general elections, intermittent ethno-political violence erupted in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts. Over 40 people in both districts lost lives, scores more got injured and 139 houses were set ablaze. Over 600 people temporary left their homes and took refuge at Bubukwanga camp while others chose to stay with relatives in places they considered safer. Post 2016 election violence was attributed to several interwoven actors in the region and country namely; hyper ethnicisation and commercialization of politics; involvement of cultural institutions in politics by directly and indirectly seconding political candidates and/or political parties; and loss of faith in the electoral process. Degenerating State-Civilian trust. Following the 2016 general elections, Buhuhira Sub County and Kasese Municipality in Kasese district presented extreme cases of mistrust between the State and civilians. On March 10th, 2016, security personnel and some community members of Buhuhira Sub County were caught on camera involving themselves in violent scuffles that claimed two lives of security personnel and four lives of civilians. Similar clashes took place in Kasese Municipality in the month of April, In this month, a civilian alleged to have been a royal guard under the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) cultural institution, attacked and killed two government soldiers who were on a boda boda. The boda boda rider also died in this attack. In September 2016, an attempt by police to intervene in an otherwise family feud in Kabonero 2

5 Sub County in Kabarole district triggered an ugly clash between security agencies and civilians, resulting into the death of two police men and three civilians. Fragile post-2016 general election environment. The healing process among different political actors especially in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts took longer than expected. Notably, in Bundibugyo district, Bubukwanga Sub County for some time remained hostile to the current district chairperson, opting to remain loyal to the former chairperson. Further, to execute their political campaigns, different political camps and candidates in the district formed Team no sleep (TNS) and team no joke (TNJ) pressure groups that were and are still perceived to be militant and a threat to post-election reconciliation. Clamor for new administrative structures. The reported proposal to split Kasese district into four districts namely; Kasese, Katwe, Bwera and Hiima districts and another proposal to split Bundibugyo district into Bundibugyo and Bughendera districts continue to arouse excitement and contestations almost in equal measure. Several groups and persons remain opposed to the division of these districts. Even among those who support the division, there are still sharp disagreements on proposed demarcations. Different ethnic and political camps are pushing for demarcations that will leverage their geo-ethno-political interests, flaring up sharp disagreements and at times, threats against each other. b) Inter and intra-cultural tensions Cultural institutions in the Rwenzori region remain at the centre of geo-ethno-political contestations. Each of the three State-recognized institutions of Tooro Kingdom, Obudhingiya Bwa Bwamba (OBB) and OBR continue to assume geo-cultural spaces to the exclusion of other ethnic groups. This assumption remains a huge threat to inter-cultural institution collaboration and to the values of peaceful co-existence in an ethnically plural Rwenzori region. Further, cultural institutions are also faced with internal governance challenges which continue to undermine the potential role of these institutions in contributing to the much needed peace in the region. c) Youth, violence and conflict In 2014, over 600 youth participated in the July 2014 attacks in Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and Kasese districts. These youth have since received amnesty from government and organized themselves into a NUYO Youth Patriotic Association. Unfortunately, these young people have not been properly integrated into their communities. They remain largely unwelcome and unaccepted in their communities and provide a potential pool of recruits into schemes of violence. Rwenzori region is still grappling with the vice of several youth groups involving themselves in incidents of violence. These groups are solidly, imprecisely, interchangeably, successively, and/ or at times alternately referred to as; royal guards of OBR, Kirumiramuthima, Yiira Republic secessionists, rebels, militia groups and/or misguided and radicalized youth. 3

6 d) November-December 2016 violence In the week commencing 21st November, 2016, Rwenzori region, specifically the districts of Kabarole and Kasese, experienced horrendous schemes of violence. These schemes started on November 24th, 2016 in Kamabale Village in Karangura Sub-county, Kabarole District and climaxed into a military intervention at the Palace of the Omusinga on November 27th, These schemes claimed over 100 lives and left over 139 royal guards and the Omusinga arrested. 4

7 INTERVENTIONS IN 2016 In 2016, RFPJ undertook a series of interventions to contribute to non-violence and sustainable peace in the Rwenzori region. These include; INTERVENTION ONE: Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Transformation Mechanisms Project in the Rwenzori Region. RFPJ continued implementing the Conflict Prevention and Transformation Mechanisms Project as an implementing partner of Kabarole Research and Resource Centre (KRC). With support from the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), the first phase of the project started in March 2014 and ended in June In July 2016, the DGF extended the project for more 18 months. This project hinges on two comprehensive peace and conflict studies in the Rwenzori region that RFPJ and KRC undertook in 2007 and in 2012 and covers five districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kyenjojo, Ntoroko and Kabarole. Interventions under this project seek to enhance local capacities in violence prevention and peaceful conflict management. Specifically, the project enhances local skills, nurtures attitude change, supports a conflict early warning system, creates media and community spaces for dialogue, and fosters horizontal and vertical synergies for peace and nonviolence. INTERVENTION TWO: Youth for Peace Actions RFPJ has always placed the youth at the centre of her peacebuilding and violence prevention mandate. This placement is pragmatically and strategically anchored on the demographic strength of the youth and the ambivalent role the youth have continued to play in the enterprise of peace and non-violence in the Rwenzori region RFPJ s youth for peace actions in the Rwenzori region hinged on the Violence Prevention and Peace Building Agenda for the Youth in the Rwenzori Region. This Agenda is a product of consultation with several youth groups and leaders done by International Alert and RFPJ following the unprecedented youth involvement in acts of violence in the Rwenzori region in July, INTERVENTION THREE: Synergizing for Peace and Non-Violence Within its mandate of coordinating stakeholders in enterprises of peace and non-violence, RFPJ rallied her member organizations, partners, cultural institutions and other individual and group stakeholders to further the cause of peace, non-violence and justice. 1- RFPJ, 2007: Traditional African Mechanisms of conflict Resolution: Causes and Responses to conflict in the Rwenzori region of Uganda. 2- KRC and RFPJ, 2012: Stuck in the mist; Contextual analysis of conflicts in the Rwenzori region. 5

8 MILESTONES IN KEY HIGHLIGHTS MILESTONES UNDER INTERVENTION ONE Orienting 75 ex-combatants in Alternative to Violence Practice (AVP) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) On July 5th and 6th, 2014, Kasese, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts experienced simultaneous attacks. The government arraigned the attackers before the General Court Martial and later lost interest in these trials. The attackers were then granted amnesty. Of these attackers, over 500 youthful amnesty recipients formed themselves into a NUYO Youth Patriotic Association as part of mobilizing themselves to start a new life in their community. RFPJ and other peace actors in the Rwenzori region have since sought to contribute to the rehabilitation of these youthful ex-combatants. This rehabilitation is necessary cognizant of the dominant fear that these former fighters provide a potential pool of recruits into violence having undergone a haphazard amnesty process. As part of contributing to their rehabilitation, RFPJ and KRC oriented 75 ex combatants (16% female and 84% male) of 2014 in peaceful conflict management practices with specific focus on AVP and ADR. In this effort, RFPJ and KRC enabled ex combatants to meet with security agencies and members of the community as part of repairing mutual relations and trust. The Police Community Liaison Officer for Ntoroko district facilitating a session on 25th, October, 2016 for ex-combatants who received government amnesty after the July 2014 violence in the Rwenzori region 6

9 Strengthening capacities of two ADR structures to manage land-related conflicts in 2016 Preliminary research findings on land conflicts in the Rwenzori region undertaken by KRC and RFPJ in 2015/2016 confirmed the existence of intractable land conflicts and violence. The study further revealed a peripheral role of ADR structures in managing these conflicts and yet formal mechanisms of land conflict management remain expensive and unaffordable to most people. As a way of strengthening the capacity of ADR structures in land conflict management, RFPJ and KRC undertook an ADR training targeting two traditional structures namely; Bakhulubabulambo and Elders in Bundibugyo and Kabarole districts. The training equipped 132 (18% female and 82% male) trainees with updated information on land laws and skills in mediation, negotiation and arbitration. Members of Bukulhu Babulambo and Elders from Bamba-Babwisi stand in solidarity for peace after training in basic land laws and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) organized by RFPJ and KRC on 18th August, 2016 in Bundibugyo district 3- Bakhulubabulambo are Bakonzo traditional leaders 7

10 Sensitizing 87 leaders and police officers on land laws and regulations in Ntoroko and Kyenjojo districts RFPJ appreciates the mutual interest of both ADR and formal structures in addressing land related conflicts. In addition to reaching out to stakeholders within the ADR structures, RFPJ targeted local council leaders, the police as well as women and youth council members and sensitized them on land laws and regulations. The sensitization was aimed at improving these leaders knowledge and ability to manage land related conflicts that were reported to be on the increase in Kyenjojo and Ntoroko districts as per the KRC and RFPJ 2015/2016 study on land conflicts in the Rwenzori region. Of these 87 leaders, 18% were female and 82% male. Strengthening capacities of 164 peace actors in ADR, AVP and conflict sensitivity Right from the onset of the Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Transformation Mechanisms Project in the Rwenzori Region, in 2014, RFPJ and KRC appreciated the need to harness local capacities to foster sustainable peace. In this realization, the project supported a local participatory process in each of the five districts where this project runs to mapout 50 peace actors. These actors who have since expanded in number to over three hundred, have not only legitimized the project but also contributed both to its replication and extension of its outcomes. In each of the five districts of project implementation, RFPJ and KRC conducted refresher training for these peace actors in ADR, AVP and conflict sensitivity. Refresher trainings were meant to strengthen the capacity of peace actors to respond to conflicts within their communities using ADR and AVP methodologies. These trainings too were meant to increase the capacity of peace actors to remain conflict sensitive in all their engagements given the fragility of their respective districts and Rwenzori region at large. Fostering post-2016 election reconciliation in Rwenzori region The post-2016 election violence and its effects in the Rwenzori region especially in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts were unprecedented. Loss of human lives and properties shocked and placed the region at the brink of further violence. 8

11 A snapshot of destruction that took place during the 2016 post-election violence in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts 4- Kabarole, Kasese, Kyenjojo, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts 9

12 RFPJ in partnership with local partners and stakeholders conducted reconciliation meetings in Kabarole, Kyenjojo and Kasese. The meetings brought together 287 individuals among them; religious leaders, CSO representatives, elders and eminent persons, youth representatives, politicians, government representatives, victims of violence and security agencies. The meetings served the purpose of scaling down anger, giving victims of violence a voice to speak out and interact with leaders, creating platforms for stakeholders to initiate post violence interventions both individually and collectively and fostering a spirit of reconciliation among winners and losers of elections and other stakeholders in the electoral process. A section of leaders (Winners and losers of 2016 elections) attending a dialogue meeting organized by RFPJ, KRC in partnership with Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) Kasese on 31st March, 2016 Furthering gender justice in peace building work For pragmatic and strategic reasons, RFPJ has always sought to include women in all her peace building and violence prevention work. This inclusion is built on the reality that peace efforts in the Rwenzori region have tended to be patriarchal in form and orientation, leaving women at the periphery. Sometimes, women are more regarded by peace actors as victims of violence who need support and less, as active parties with innate capacity to contribute to peace and non-violence. RFPJ has continued to run a women s desk to further gender justice in peace building and violence prevention and to place women and gender issues at the forefront of her work. 10

13 Women leaders attending a training in conflict management and violence prevention in Karangura Sub-county on 25th, August, 2016 In a more progressive way, 2016 saw the emergence of the Rwenzori Women s Peace Forum under the auspices of USAID/SAFE Project implemented by KRC in the region. The forum which comprises eminent women from Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko and Kabarole districts is tasked to enhance gender justice in all peacebuilding and violence prevention work in the Rwenzori region. Ms. Baguma Deborah, the head of the gender desk at RFPJ, was elected as a publicity secretary on the 5-member executive committee of this noble forum. 11

14 MILESTONES UNDER INTERVENTION TWO Launching the Rwenzori Regional Youth Violence Prevention and Peace Building Agenda; Following the huge involvement of the youth in the July 2014 violent incidents in the Rwenzori region, RFPJ and International Alert undertook a consultative process with the youth in the region focusing on two principal aspects namely; Key factors that trigger youth involvement in acts of violence and strategic actions needed to dissuade the youth from these acts. Views generated from the consultative process were enveloped into the Rwenzori Regional Youth Violence Prevention and Peace Building Agenda; As part of coalescing stakeholders around the notion of placing the youth at the center of peacebuilding, RFPJ and International Alert officially launched the Youth Agenda on 15th April, 2016 at Ataco Country Resort in Fort Portal. The launch brought together over 100 local government leaders and leaders from cultural institutions, faith groups, youth groups, security agencies and CSOs. Leaders committed to place the youth at the centre of their peacebuilding mandates guided by both the content and spirit of the regional Youth Agenda. A banner containing the title of the Violence Prevention and Peacebuiling Agenda Standing: The Kabarole district chairperson, Mr. Rwabuhinga Richard launching the Violence Prevention and Peacebuilding Agenda for the Youth in the Rwenzori Region at Ataco Country Resort on 15th April,

15 A cross section of participants during the launching of the Violence Prevention and Peace building Agenda for the youth in the Rwenzori Region at Ataco Country Resort on 15th April, 2017 Conducting a regional youth peace camp RFPJ in partnership with INTERNATIONAL ALERT, UGANDA PARLIAMENTARY FORUM ON YOUTH AFFAIRS (UPFYA), INTER-RELIGIOUS AND INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE PROGRAMME, OPEN SPACE CENTRE and GREATER NORTHERN UGANDA PARLIAMENTARY FORUM organized a regional youth camp from September 16th to September 19th The camp was organized within the ambit of placing the youth at the centre of peacebuilding in the Rwenzori region and more specifically, preparing the youth to participate in the international day of peace celebrations on September 21st in Bundibugyo district. The camp brought together over 100 youth from the seven districts of Rwenzori region derived from Youth wings of OBR, OBB and Tooro Kingdom; faith groups; interest groups; youth councilors; 2 national youth Members of Parliament (MPs); and district youth chairpersons. The camp provided a platform for the youth in the region to interface with national youth MPs and discuss their political and economic concerns, including the Youth Livelihood Program. During the camp, the youth reflected on peace and conflict situation in the Rwenzori region, discussed the draft National Peace Policy and re-underlined their resolve to remain agents of peace and continue popularizing peace messages within their mandates. On the last day of the camp, the youth drafted and handed over a copy of recommendations to youth MPs to enrich the National Peace Policy. Further, the youth drafted a peace statement which they read out to the public during the International Day of Peace Celebrations on September 21st 2016 in Bundibugyo district. 13

16 The two teams that participated in the football game during the peace camp in Kasese district pose for a photo before the game 14

17 Some of the youth leaders who attended the youth Camp in Kasese district A Cultural troupe performing at the youth camp in Kasese district 15

18 MILESTONES UNDER INTERVENTION THREE Making publications to further peace and nonviolence To further advocate for peace and justice in the Rwenzori region, RFPJ working with KRC printed and distributed 3,000 copies of two versions of the Pen for Peace Magazines. The first version, named Voices of Conflict Victims-Cry Out for Justice was dedicated to victims of post 2016 election violence. The magazine more vividly exposes the extent of loss of property and lives and raises critical issues that leaders and several stakeholders in the Rwenzori region and beyond need to undertake to further victims justice. The second version of the magazine, named The Recurring Violent Conflicts in the Rwenzori region expounds on the November 2016 violence, the growing radicalization in the region and what needs to be done to de-escalate violence. Together with KRC, RFPJ printed and distributed over 1,000 copies of the land research report named The Melting Pot to various stakeholders in the Rwenzori region and beyond. This study provides a reference point for other researchers, land rights and peace activists in the Rwenzori region. Further, as violence reached its height between September and December 2016 in Kabarole and Kasese districts, RFPJ made and distributed 200 stickers calling upon the people of Rwenzori region to resist the vice of violence. A copy of the sticker 16

19 Petitioning leaders and the Uganda Human Rights Commission and on Human Rights issues in the Rwenzori Region In 2016, RFPJ made two petitions on critical human rights issues in the Rwenzori region. The first petition issued on April 29th, 2016, targeted MPs, district chairpersons and opinion leaders in the Rwenzori region. Specifically in this petition, RFPJ expounded on real and/or perceived drivers and effects of geo-ethno political violence in the region and steps leaders needed to urgently undertake to negate the culture of violence. From right: The MP of Fort Portal Municipality, Hon Alex Ruhunda, the RFPJ Research and Advocay Officer, Mr. Mutabingwa Joseph, the MP of Bwamba county, Hon Gafabusa Richard and the MP of Kyaka North, Hon Asaba Paul discuss an RFPJ petition on geo-ethno political violence in the Rwenzori region 17

20 In the second petition, issued on May 4th, 2016, RFPJ targeted the Uganda Human Rights Commission. This petition highlighted on human rights violations emanating from the post election violence. Specifically, the petition raised issues on neglect of victims justice and threats to cultural, civil and political rights and called for the Commission to investigate and remedy any forms of human rights violations. Petitioning the President NOT to assent to the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2016 RFPJ was one of the CSOs in the country that took lead in collecting 4.2 million citizens signatures between April 20th 2016 and May 6th 2016 to petition the President NOT to assent to the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, In this Bill, MPs sought to amend Section 21 (1) of the Income Tax, CAP 340, to exempt their employment income, except salary. CSOs viewed this amendment attempt as a bad practice, discriminatory, injurious to revenue efforts and politically and morally incorrect. CSOs called for all Ugandans to pay their fair share of taxes. The CSOs petition and eventual President s rejection of the Bill in May 2016 demonstrated the power of citizens in influencing governance issues at any level. 18

21 Mass advocacy for peace on Radio In the year 2016, RFPJ conducted a series of radio talk shows and ran radio jingos and drama series on UBC radio and Development FM in Bundibugyo district; Jubilee radio and KRC FM in Kabarole district; Guide Radio and Radio Messiah in Kasese district; and Kyenjojo FM in Kyenjojo district. Using the radio platform, RFPJ was able to pass on peace advocacy messages, raise awareness on key peace issues and provide a platform for different stakeholders to discuss matters pertaining to peace and conflict in the Rwenzori region. Through the radio platform, RFPJ passed on peace messages to an estimated number of 200,000 people. RFPJ s virtual connection with a wider society of peace activists RFPJ s work has been referred to by national and regional newspapers specifically, the East- African Newspaper of Tuesday, December 6th, 2016 and the New vision of Thursday, December 15th, To keep connected to a wider and virtual society of peace activists, RFPJ has continued to run a website and a facebook account as platforms for sharing timely information on peace and conflict in the Rwenzori region. On the website, RFPJ runs a peace and conflict timeline for the Rwenzori region dating from as far back as This timeline keeps RFPJ members, partners and interested stakeholders updated on new and emerging peace and conflict situations. Also on the RFPJ website, are a wide range of analytical articles on the subject of peace and conflict. For more details, visit our website and give us a feedback: Web: Commemorating the International Day of Peace Every year, RFPJ participates in the commemoration of the International Day of Peace on September 21st. The 2016 national day of peace celebrations took place in Bundibugyo district under the theme; The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace. The peace day provided RFPJ and partners with an opportunity to exhibit their peace works, mobilize over 500 youth and 1000 members of the public and a cross section of leaders to meet and share messages of peace and nonviolence. A banner popularizing the celebration of the international day of peace 5- Under an article titled, How 2011 elections set stage for deadly clashes in Kasese. 6- Under an article titled, CSOs demand for a fair and speedy trial for Mumbere. 19

22 From right; Mr. Mutegeki Ronald, the District Chairperson of Bundibugyo, Minister Musa Echweru and the Bundibugyo district Woman MP, Josephine Babungi attending the international day of peace in Bundibugyo district-21st, Sept, 2016 Co-organizing Interfaith Peace Prayers in Rwenzori Region Preceding the International Day of Peace, RFPJ joined other CSOs to celebrate a peace week as per the custom in the Rwenzori region. The peace week was dotted with several peace activities including; radio talk shows and running recorded peace messages on radio stations. Uniquely, RFPJ in partnership with INTERNATIONAL ALERT, INTER-RELIGIOUS AND INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE PROGRAMME and others conducted interfaith peace prayers at New Fort View Hotel on 22nd, September, The Interfaith peace prayers were guided by the theme, Let us embrace mercy, peace, Justice to build strong accountable institutions. The prayers were attended by over 30 representatives of different religious leaders in the Rwenzori region, 20 political and cultural leaders and 100 members of the public and students. The event demonstrated solidarity for peace, gave a platform for political and cultural leaders to recommit themselves to peace in the region and re-underlined the role of religious leaders in bringing together people of diverse interests to harness peace. 20

23 A banner projecting interfaith prayers in the Rwenzori Region Some of the religious leaders and other stakeholders in Rwenzori region pose for a photo after attending the interfaith peace prayers on 22nd, September, 2016 at New Fort View Hotel Fort-Portal 21

24 Completing an RFPJ Strategic Plan; RFPJ successfully developed a 3 year strategic plan around which to rally her constituents for peace and non-violence. The development of this plan involved a protracted consultative process with RFPJ stakeholders including Staff, Board members, leaders and communities in the Rwenzori region. This plan will be reviewed annually to keep it in tandem with the changing peace and conflict landscape at regional and national level. On the cover page of the plan are different names people chose to be called during a renaming ceremony in one of the RFPJ-led peace dialogues PEACE INFRASTRUCTURE TO HARNESS IN 2017 Multiple community structures mandated to foster peace including clan leaders and Bakhulhu Ba Bulambo Elders fora in each of the districts of Kasese and Bundibugyo Isaazi Lya Bantu Bakuru Ba Tooro The Interreligious Council of Uganda-Rwenzori and Kasese chapters. The existing working relationship between RFPJ and the media fraternity in the region The Violence Prevention and Peace Building Agenda for the Youth Governance and Development Agenda for Women and Youth; Kabarole and Kamwenge Districts RFPJ platform as a network of peace building CSOs in the Rwenzori region Several commitments on peace contained in various documents including the April 14th 2016 Royal Communiqué and the 2005 Kajura Report PEACE ISSUES TO PAY ATTENTION TO IN 2017 Short term issues; offering psycho social support to victims of 2016 violence, fostering reconciliation, supporting demobilization and re-integration of excombatants, mobilizing communities and individuals for peace, mobilizing relief support, documenting human rights violations and fostering synergies with various stakeholders to contribute to peace and nonviolence. 22

25 Medium term issues; conducting surveys on peace and conflict to map out emerging risk factors and assets to peace, supporting comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and re-integration programs and restoring inter and intra group relations. Long-term issues; Reviewing and implementing past recommendation on peace in the region, advocating for; legal reforms in the formation and functioning of cultural institutions; equitable and improved service delivery; resolving land conflicts; and strengthening capacities of different actors to coordinate and foster peace. In February 2015, RFPJ undertook a one year consultative process with women, youth and other stakeholders in Kabarole and Kamwenge districts culminating into the development of the women and youth agendas. These agendas contain aggregated needs and interest of women and the youth in aspects of service delivery and political participation. 23

26 RFPJ PARTNERS IN Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) 2. Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) 3. Kabarole Research and Resource Center 4. International Alert 5. Local governments of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kabarole and Kyegegwa districts 6. PETURA 7. Association of Human Rights Organizations in Kabarole district 8. Kind-Uganda 9. AMNET-R 10. Kamwenge Development Centre 11. RHEMD in Kibaale District 12. RIC-NET 13. Ride Africa 14. RWECO 15. Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs (UPFYA) 16. Inter-Religious and Intercultural Dialogue Programme (INTERDIP) 17. Open Space Centre 18. Greater Northern Uganda Parliamentary Forum 24

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28 Pictorial A cultural group presenting at the international day of peace in Bundibugyo district -21st, Sept, 2016 From left; Minister Musa Echweru receives publications on peacebuilding from Mr. Atuhaire Ben (International Alert) and Mr.Tuhaise Francis (RFPJ) during the International day of peace celebrations in Bundibugyo district- 21st, Sept, 2016 RFPJ Research and Advocacy Officer, Mr. Joseph Mutabingwa (right) hosts a panalist on a radio talk show to discuss the post 2016 election violence in Rwenzori region 26

29 From left; Bishops, Rt. Rev.Nzerebende of South Rwenzori Diocese and Francis Kibira of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese and Dr. Emmanuel AlibaKiiza Executive Secretary Justice and Peace (Uganda Episcopal Conference )attending a post election dialogue meeting organized by RFPJ and KRC in partnership with Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese-March, 18th 2016 From right; Rt. Hon. Mubulya Wilson the Prime Minister of OBB, Mr. Mutegeki Ronald LCV Chairperson Bundibugyo district and Mr. Rwabuhinga Richard LC V Chairperson Kabarole District attending the launch of the Violence Prevention and Peacebuiling Agenda for the Youth in the Rwenzori Region at Ataco Country resort in Fort-Portal on 15th, April,

30 MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION Alexander Haslinger; a Student of African Development Studies in Geography with a Minor in Economics; Bayreuth University, Germany. As a student, I deal with different contents of geographical development in Africa from a political, economical or social view as well as development research. In my minor, I focus especially on international economics and what kind of different roles African countries play in it. In my 2016 internship, I sought to understand and deal with the coalescence of society and political and economical structures and how they influence each other. In addition, I sought to gain a deeper understanding of intercultural differences and border conflicts concerning national and regional but also cultural borders. Lastly, I wished to learn how conflict management and peace building are practically conducted. To realize my internship objectives, I chose to come to Uganda and specifically, to Rwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice (RFPJ). At RFPJ, I had the opportunity, not only to gain a deeper insight into the work and structure of the organization itself, but also to understand the different cultural and political institutions in the Rwenzori region and how they work together and influence each other. I also got the opportunity to learn more about enterprises of violence and conflict in this region and different approaches of solving or preventing them. My experiences at RFPJ made me understand that a conflict is not always just a simple fight. It is a complex vertical and horizontal interaction between and among different actors, pivoting around past events like colonialism as well as a host of contemporary issues and interests. I m very grateful to the wonderful and inspiring RFPJ family for according me the opportunity to learn. My three-month stay-at RFPJ has been of great value to me. In a special way, I thank all my RFPJ-colleagues for guiding and inspiring me all the way through my internship, exposing me to the art of fostering peace and nonviolence and intrinsically motivating me to consider peace building and conflict management as a potential area of focus in my future studies. 28

31 Kakurora T. Vickie; Project Officer, Women Leadership Development (WLEDE); Attached to Enhancing the Observance of Fundamental Human Rights Project for the indigenous and Migrant Communities in Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Kamwenge Districts. Immediately after completing my Bachelors Degree in Ethics and Human Rights at Makerere University in 2014, I sought a volunteer position at RFPJ. I instantly secured this position in 2014 until I left in 2016 for a job with WLEDE. At RFPJ, I got exposed to several opportunities that contributed to my professional and personal growth. These opportunities came in forms of taking leadership and/or participating in a series of RFPJ events and activities in the Rwenzori region. The relatively wealthy and beautiful Rwenzori region has continued to harbor heinous incidents of violence and human Notable of these included; Mobilizing rights abuse and training women, youth and other stakeholders in various aspects of peacebuilding and violence prevention; writing reports and concept notes; attending staff and partner meetings; collecting and analyzing data for M&E and fundraising purposes; initiating and managing advocacy events and; filing documents. In a special way, RFPJ exposed me to dynamics of peace building and human rights promotion. I was also able, right from the onset, to juxtapose my classroom theory with practice and appreciate intricacies of project management, intra-ngo relations as well as NGO-relations with donors and government. I appreciate the management and staff of RFPJ for nurturing me. I wish the Forum well as she strives to contribute to a culture of peace and nonviolence in the ethnically and politically plural Rwenzori region. 29

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