RIC NET joins other organisation to call for peacefull coexistence in Kasese and Rwenzori region

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRrPfVrGtno&feature=youtu.be

Though NGOs are pressing for dialogue, speedy and just process, the investigation into kasese killings is becoming complex leading to an appeal to ICC intervention.

RIC-NET Part of NGOs Communique on Peace efforts in Rwenzori region

CSOs demand for a fair and speedy trial for Mumbere

"The legal process should take its course but with fairness, openness and justice such that a lasting solution is reached..."


Left to right:  Executive director Rwenzori Centres Network (RIC-NET) John Silco, Chief executive officer of Foundation Urban and Rural Advancement (FURA) Reuben Mbauta and Country Manager of International Alert Richard Businge

 CSOs leaders discussing about the Violence in the Rwenzori region during CSO leaders Crisis meeting at Sliver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi on December 14, 2016. Photos by Mary Kansiime

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in the Rwenzori region are demanding for a speedy, transparent and fair trial of the Omusinga of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, Charles Wesley Mumbere and his royal guards who were arrested, charged and detained over the Kasese clashes.

"The legal process should take its course but with fairness, openness and justice such that a lasting solution is reached. The process should aim at promoting meaningful dialogue and reconciliation based on the truth," said Reuben Mbauta, the Chief Executive Officer Foundation for Rural and Urban Advancement (FRUA).

He said that it is only when the truth has been revealed that government will be able to make strategic investments and action plans to uproot the real cause of the conflict in the region.

Violent clashes between the Omusinga's palace guards and security officers broke out two weeks ago leaving over 100 people dead, several injured, property destroyed and scores arrested including Mumbere. He is currently in Luzira prison on charges of Murder, terrorism and robbery.

Speaking at Silver Springs hotel, Bugolobi, on Wednesday, the CSOs condemned the continued arrest of the royal guards, stating that it does not aim at resolving the conflict but instead escalates it.

They said that most of the guards have now run into hiding and there is worry that they might reconvene into a bigger group and become a threat to the peaceful co-existence of the people in the Rwenzori Region.

Published by: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1442112/csos-demand-fair-speedy-trial-mumbere

Children In Uganda Still Traumatized by Conflict-

RIC-NET shared her experience on projects that "support conflict affect girls in Rwenzori region"  and  "community action on prevention of violence against  children" at  Global fund for Children partners' knowledge sharing  workshop at Bomah Hotel- Gulu from 25-28th October 2016.

The article below was reported without the photos added. the original article is by By Billy Oketch

Published on: http://kfm.co.ug/news/children-in-northern-uganda-still-traumatized-by-conflict.html

 "Thousands of children in Rwenzori and northern Uganda are in dire need of support due to the effects of conflict experienced in those regions.

This is according to Emmanuel Otoo, Global Fund’s regional programme director for Africa and Middle East, who says the situation has left many children in the Rwenzori Sub-region and northern Uganda traumatized.

He says some of the children there are living with various forms of disability while others living with HIV/Aids.

Meanwhile, John Silco, the executive director of Rwenzori Information Centres Network, says some families uprooted by the ethnic clashes in Rwenzori were still stuck in the camps.

The Global Fund for Children has been working with seven grass-root organisations to support vulnerable children in these two regions."

POSITIVE PARENTING TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

Stakeholders pose for a photo

Kasese district stake holders agreed upon embarking on positive parenting if they are to realize the efforts of fighting violence against children in the community. This was pointed out during a one day district convention in Kasese district on 7^th October 2016. Regardless of the many existing laws concerning the rights of children and their upbringing, violence against children in all its forms has continued to prevail in the society leaving the children at the centre stage of vulnerability.

women representatives at the convention

To seek support from the district leaders therefore, a district convention aimed at sharing issues with district leaders and members of the community, suggesting measures on prevention of VAC in the district and region, to document and develop action plan for prevention of VAC and child protection in the region was held among which the district leadership, head teachers and their teachers, representatives of CBOS, children from different schools, women representatives among others who agreed and signed upon helping the children realize their strength with love and respect, sanitation in schools should be considered, enforce the policies on childrens’ rights, formation of children protection committees at village level, owning the project for sustainability and  include guidance and counseling on the school curriculum.

LCV chairman giving remarks

The chairperson LCV Mr. Sibendire Bigogo Geofrey as the chief guest called upon the people of Kasese to avoid violence against children because it dehumanizes them. He further said, children who come from violent homes also live violent lives in their adulthood. Bigogo said most children do not freely express themselves because of the torture they face from the community in the name of correcting them both at school and home. He sounded a warning to everybody who mistreats a child and condemned violence in all its forms.

Investigates - Tracing the Conflict in Rwenzori rwenzori

Sunday Monitor 25th September 2016 and NBS TV station

Cultural music for peace

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STOP USING THE YOUTH AS EXPENDABLES- PROMOTE PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE.

The Minister of State for Relief and Disaster Preparedness Hon. Ecweru Musa Francis warned the youth in the Rwenzori region to never again implement things they do not understand, "avoid being used by the elders who are the authors of the conflicts because your seen as energetic, poor and uneducated."

Peace Activists   matching for peace

“It is unfortunate that we use our beautiful geographical location, topography and cultures to cause chaos instead of using it for peace and unity. Rwenzori is our home, you have no other home. That is where GOD placed you and no one can undo what GOD put in place”.Ecweru said.

Hon. Ecweru said this while officiating at the International Peace Day in Bundibugyo on the 21^stSeptember, 2016 under the theme: "Sustainable Development Goals- Building blocks for peace". 
He condemned all acts of violence and confusion in the region and asked people to reconcile and never to do it again.

minster visits RWECO stall

Key officials present at the function were: Bundibugyo District woman MP, the UNDP representative in Uganda, RDC Bundibugyo Mr. Mucunguzi, RDC Kyegewa Mrs. Nyakwera,  District Chairperson Mr. Mutegeki, Prime ministers of Cultural institutions- Obudhigiya Bwa Bwamba and Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, religious leaders and CSO leaders and members

 

The leaders called  upon people to be role models in the communities and be promoters of peace, urged people to be transparent if peace is to prevail, warned people to stop concentrating on useless baseless things that are underdevelopment. They also thanked the security team, some CSOs, International Alert, RIC-NET, RWECO, RFPJ, KRC, UJCC and the media fraternity that has worked so hard to sensitize communities on peaceful coexistence and restore peace in Bundibugyo and the region as a whole.

cultural leaders

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Religious leaders present

RWECO,RIC-NET,RIDE Africa and partner CBOs at the international day of peace

The International Day of Peace, unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to specifically to the absence of war and violence, it might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people.

To observe the day, Uganda celebrated this day from Bundibugyo district in the western part of the country as a signal to the of the area that peace is a complete necessity not a need, to also serve as a warning to those culprits who work to stabilize the peace in the area and so show the natives that a peaceful co-existence is the only way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to which the world is standing to achieve.

Burning of the guns as a symbol for peace.

STOP USING THE YOUTH AS EXPENDABLES- PROMOTE PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE.

The Minister of State for Relief and Disaster Preparedness Hon. Ecweru Musa Francis has warned the youth in the Rwenzori region to never again implement things they do not understand, avoid being used by the elders who are the authors of the conflicts because your seen as energetic, poor and uneducated. 

Peace Activists   matching for peace

“It is unfortunate that we use our beautiful geographical location, topography and cultures to cause chaos instead of using it for peace and unity. Rwenzori is our home, you have no other home. That is where GOD placed you and no one can undo what GOD put in place”.Ecweru said.

Hon. Ecweru spoke this while officiating at the international peace day in Bundibugyo on the 21^stSeptember, 2016 under the theme: "Sustainable Development Goals- Building blocks for peace". 
He condemned all acts of violence and confusion in the region and asked people to reconcile and never to do it again.

minster visits RWECO stall

 

cultural leaders

Key officials present at the function were: Bundibugyo District woman MP, the UNDP representative in Uganda, RDC Bundibugyo Mr. Mucunguzi, RDC Kyegewa Mrs. Nyakwera,  District Chairperson Mr. Mutegeki, Prime ministers of Cultural institutions- Obudhigiya Bwa Bwamba and Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, religious leaders and CSO leaders and members .

Religious leaders present

The leaders called  upon people to be role models in the communities and be promoters of peace; urged people to be transparent if peace is to prevail; warned people to stop concentrating on useless baseless things that are underdevelopment and thanked the security team, some CSOs : International Alert, RIC-NET, RWECO, RFPJ, KRC, UJCC and the media fraternity that has worked so hard in to sensitize communities on peaceful coexistence and restore peace in Bundibugyo and the region as a whole.

RWECO,RIC-NET,RIDE Africa and partner CBOs at the international day of peace

The International Day of Peace, unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to specifically to the absence of war and violence, it might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people.

To observe the day, Uganda celebrated this day from Bundibugyo district in the western part of the country as a signal to the of the area that peace is a complete necessity not a need, to also serve as a warning to those culprits who work to stabilize the peace in the area and so show the natives that a peaceful co-existence is the only way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to which the world is standing to achieve.

Burning of the guns as a symbol for peace.