Religious and cultural leaders in the Rwenzori sub-region have pledged to strengthen their efforts in promoting peace, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among communities.
The commitment was made today during a Regional Transitional Justice Convention that yesterday brought together religious and cultural leaders, civil society organisations and other transitional justice actors at New Fort View Hotel in Fort Portal Tourism City.
The convention focused on ways of strengthening transitional justice, reconciliation and peacebuilding in the region, with participants calling for greater involvement of cultural and religious institutions in addressing conflicts and restoring harmony among communities.
Leaders speak out
Swib Swaleh, from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), said religious and cultural leaders have a critical role to play in promoting peace both within the Rwenzori region and beyond.
Swaleh said religious leaders, through the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, plan to establish a joint team that will spearhead peacebuilding initiatives in churches and mosques.
He said the team will promote joint preaching and other activities aimed at encouraging communities to embrace peace, forgiveness, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
Meanwhile, Kyakimwa Deirdre Lilian, a Human Rights Assistant at the Rwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice (RFPJ), said more efforts are needed to promote peace by reviving positive traditional approaches that historically helped communities resolve conflicts and maintain harmony.
Kyakimwa cited practices such as cross-ethnic blood pacts, special recognition of individuals and communities, and land donations as some of the traditional approaches that contributed to peaceful relations among communities and families.
She called for the documentation and consideration of positive traditional mechanisms alongside modern approaches to transitional justice.
Representing the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu, in Attorney general’s office, Baluku Herbert said cultural and sporting activities could also be used as platforms for rebuilding trust and strengthening relationships among communities.
Baluku, while presenting recommendations from a group discussion, proposed the organisation of inter-cultural galas featuring music, dance and drama, as well as sports tournaments.
He said such activities can bring people from different cultural and social backgrounds together, creating opportunities for interaction, dialogue and cooperation while reducing divisions and promoting peaceful coexistence.
The Executive Director of Rwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice, , said the convention was informed by consultations previously conducted through a series of district-level roundtable discussions.
Tuhaise said the organisation engaged different stakeholders at the district level and collected their views and recommendations on transitional justice, peacebuilding and reconciliation.
He explained that the discussions will now continue at regional and national levels to ensure that the concerns and recommendations raised by communities are incorporated into broader transitional justice processes.
The leaders called for continued collaboration among religious institutions, cultural institutions, government, civil society organisations and communities to address the causes of conflict and strengthen peace, reconciliation and social cohesion across the Rwenzori region.