Lucky Patrick
Religious and cultural leaders in the Tooro Sub-region have been urged to take a more active role in promoting peace, reconciliation, and transitional justice to help address past conflicts and strengthen social cohesion.
The call was made by Rev. Dr. Pascal Kabura during a roundtable discussion that brought together religious leaders, cultural institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders at New Fort View Hotel in Fort Portal City. The dialogue was organized by the Rwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice (RFPJ) to discuss the role of faith and cultural institutions in advancing transitional justice in the Tooro Sub-region.
Speaking during the meeting, Rev. Dr. Kabura said religious and cultural institutions remain among the most trusted structures within communities and should therefore be at the forefront of efforts to promote peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, and justice.
He expressed concern that some religious institutions have increasingly been exploited for political interests, a trend he said undermines their credibility and weakens their ability to unite communities. He urged leaders to safeguard the identity and integrity of religious institutions by remaining impartial and focusing on their core mission of serving the people.
Rev. Dr. Kabura emphasized that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without justice, reconciliation, and mutual respect. He warned that unresolved grievances and historical injustices could continue to fuel divisions if they are not addressed through effective transitional justice mechanisms.
He noted that failure to deal with past conflicts risks passing anger, resentment, and mistrust to future generations, stressing that promoting justice today is essential for securing lasting peace in the region.
While officially opening the round table discussion the Kabarole District Chairperson, Ruben Kimome Araali, said leaders at all levels have a collective responsibility to champion transitional justice and create an environment where every citizen enjoys peace, dignity, and equal treatment.
Kimome called upon political, religious, and cultural leaders to work together in fostering reconciliation and strengthening unity across the Tooro Sub-region. He said peaceful communities are essential for sustainable development and urged stakeholders to continue engaging citizens in dialogue and conflict resolution initiatives.
The Executive Director of the Rwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice, Francis Tuhaise, said religious and cultural leaders play a critical role in shaping values, influencing communities, and resolving conflicts.
Tuhaise encouraged the leaders to work closely with communities, government institutions, and civil society organizations to promote justice, peaceful coexistence, and respect for human rights. He noted that collaborative efforts are key to building resilient communities capable of preventing conflicts and fostering lasting peace.
The roundtable discussion forms part of ongoing initiatives by the Rwenzori Forum for Peace and Justice to strengthen community participation in transitional justice processes and enhance cooperation among key stakeholders in promoting peace and reconciliation across the Tooro Sub-region.