WE CAN FREELY ENJOY THE SUN.

Biira Masitura 47 years a resident of Bubukwanga central village narrated the how she lived after the post election conflict during the community sensitization meeting held at Bubukwanga village headquarters. “ I am a Mukonzo married to  Mwamba a resident of Bubukwanga central, I did support the current regime at the district, my husband was not involved in politics at all….it all started as a joke when we had that Finally Mutegeki has won the election after the electoral commission had declared another candidate earlier on. Jubilation was all over especially people from Ngamba and Kasitu passing over in villages going to town. It was never easy but thank God we can leave happily again. My house was attacked not once or twice and some people asked why my husband is not taking action against me since I was supporting the candidate who was not the choice of OBB. I thank my husband she stood with me…..I am now living peaceful with my neighbours.” The meeting was attended by 207 citizens excluding children, members from security, OBB representatives, local leader’s citizens.

This story caught up the eyes and ears of everyone including the OBB representative and local leaders at the meeting. This was after our FPA presented the Drama on the Actors in the conflict situation with focus on rights and duties of citizens. During the discussion the members agreed that the community in most cases violated the rights of people because of attachment to certain people.

Responding to the issues raised during the discussion the OC station of Bubukwanga recommends the work of RIC-NET in organizing community meetings. “I attended their meeting in Maponge, Mantoroba, Nyasoro and these meetings have been productive, I think the sun can freely shine on each one of us and that is why this Mama can freely share her story in this meeting”. The criminal records have declined this year apart from cases like theft, and domestic issues which are always referred to the local council leaders for mediation. We should be engaging at village level and handle our matters as Babukwanga.

The LC III Mr. Basime Amos asked the community to learn to respect the rights of the people and ensure that each one exercise his her right freely without infringing on another person’s rights.

He recommended a proper relationship between the police, security and the people to ensure total peace prevail. However the community members realized that the challenge is still at the Top especially leadership at the top who still segregate people based on how they participated in the voting patterns. Thus recommended the NGOs and other peace Actors to conduct a dialogue to ensure peace and harmony is realized.

RIC-NET SUPPORTS PROCAF WITH TAILORING MACHINE

One of the programs that Rwenzori information centres network (RIC-NET) implements is the community empowerment and youth ,a program that aims at empowering ,youth ,young girls and women through skills training and provision of startup kits to enable them start up their own small businesses and be able to earn an income. RIC-NET supported Rwenzori pro-life and child care foundation(PROCAF) an organization that supports skills development for  vulnerable youth in Kabarole with a singer tailoring machine to enable the organization train other  vulnerable young girls who were not able to complete formal education .we believe that such training helps the youth acquire skills that will improve their lives through starting up their own small businesses.

PROCAF board member ,executive director on left receive machine from RIC-NET staff (right) with some of the trainees 

This program aims at achieving sustainable development goal 1 (end poverty in all its forms ) as it empowers youth to work and earn to improve on their incomes and end poverty  .

RIC-NET EXTENDS HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY STORMS IN KARAMBI SUBCOUNTY

Following a storm that hit Karambi sub county in Kasese district  on 7th October 2017 ,houses ,churches ,schools and crops were destroyed .The key affected parishes included :Karambi , Kyasenda ,Kisolholho and Bikunya .People were left homeless ,sleeping on verandahs and others had to seek refugee at the sub county .

some of the houses destroyed by the storm

As a response ,on 22/10/2017 RIC-NET an implementing organization in the sub county provided support to key affected families inform of  items which included food staffs like rice , beans , and other domestic requirements like soap and utensils for the families to use as they recover from the disaster.One of the people who was supported with the items was over heard saying "at least we shall have what to feed the children for some days ".

one of the people leaving with the items supported with

This disaster in a way is affecting children majorly since parents and guardians are now  focusing on reconstruction of the houses there fore neglecting children (in terms of time , attention and provision of basic needs ). 

during distribution of the items

Its our humble appeal  that other stakeholders also come in to support these families to recover from the effects of the disaster .

Community members pledge to end violence agaisnt children in their communities

As one of the activities of the community led mechanisms to prevent violence against children and adolescents in Kasese district  ,community members organized neighborhood assemblies to discuss about issues that concern children in their communities .

The O.C police at the Karambi neighborhood assembly

Two neighborhood assemblies were conducted at Karambi primary school on 16/9/2017 which was attended by 106(m-30,f-76) ) and at Kyabikere primary school on 29/09/2017 which was attended by 119 (m-34,f-85) people  community members, OC police, CDOs ,local leaders and  religious leaders . Community members aired out their views in relation to prevention of violence against children and highlighted alcoholism and poverty as the common causes of VAC in the community. The common cases of VAC that were mentioned include discrimination, child labour and child neglect, failure by parents to provide lunch for their school going children  .St mark women’s group also passed their message of VAC prevention through songs and skits.

Key actions :

Parents resolved to share and involve their children in issues that concern their families.

Community members agreed to do all work for the development of their families according to their gender roles.

Community members agreed to always provide food and other school requirements for their children.

The people also pledged to always report cases of violence against children to the responsible authorities and to  always pack lunch for their school going  children .

St mark women's group presenting at the neighborhood assembly in Karambi

CHILD RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OF KARAMBI AND KITHOLHU SUB COUNTIES TRAINED IN BETTER PARENTING

Two trainings with parasocial workers (child rights activists) were conducted  at the two sub counties of Karambi on 28/09/2017 and were attended by 27 participants (m-16,f-11)  and Kitholhu on 29/09/2017 and was attended by 21(m-20,f-1) . The trainings were facilitated by RIC-NET staff Murugahara John and Mr. Mukokoma Paul the sub county chief for Isango sub county  .The activists were trained in good parenting, the different categories of children’s rights, rules of engagement with children and the various legal instruments concerning child protection.

The participants during the training

Key actions

The activists resolved to continue Community sensitization on VAC prevention and good parenting using every opportunity they get (burials ceremonies, parties and other community events).

The activists to compile a status report of the different VAC cases from the parishes they operate by December 2017.

Participants agreed to have another meeting for compilation of the status report for the whole sub county on VAC in January 2018

RELIGIOUS LEADERS TRAINED IN VAC PREVENTION AND BETTER PARENTING

A training of religious leaders  took place at Karambi sub county headquarters on 25/09/2017 and was facilitated by Mr. Mukokoma Paul. The training was attended by 38 (M-27,F-11) who included pastors ,reverends priests , model couples and leaders of mothers union in the different religious denominations (Muslims , roman Catholics ,SDAs, Pentecostals , and the protestant ). The participants were trained in theory of   prevention of violence against children and practical skills of better parenting  .

Mr Mukokoma making a presentation

Key actions from the training

The religious leaders agreed to mainstream VAC prevention in their counseling sessions.

The religious  leaders resolved  to form a team of regular attendance of the different trainings so that they are equipped with  more knowledge about VAC prevention

They resolved that they will transfer the knowledge acquired to their congregations.

The Muslims , SDAs  and the Pentecostal will select couples from their denominations to trained as model couples

FUTURE IN OUR HANDS.

Youth from the secondary schools agreed that the future is in their hands. This was realized during the inter-school debate conducted on 28^th September 2017 at Bubukwanga SS. the debate was organized under  the theme “the youth are responsible for escalation of conflicts in the community”.4 schools participated with total of 72 participants 32 female and 40 males including 10 teachers. Schools that participated were Bubukwanga SS as host, Kabango SS, Good hope SS and Three Angels high school.

The deputy head teacher of Bubukwanga SS gave an opening remark stressing the Idea of change of “attitude and mindset”He challenged the youth to focus on real things that can change their standard of living for better, other than hatred and deceit.

During the discussion the youth realized that indicators of tribalism are taking them behind, and that elders and government have contributed a lot to the action the youth are involved in at community.

These actions were highlighted as unemployment, quality of education, partisan politics, divide and rule policy and unconstitutional way of governance, while other realized that youth actions like drug abuse, loitering, are individual based. The youth made a resolution to refocus, create friendship and be role model at the schools where they come from. This will pave way for community transformation.

LEADERS CONDUCT A REVIEWS OF SECTIONS IN THE CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS ACT

District leaders of Bundibugyo participated in the advocacy meeting on the implementation of the Cultural institutions Act. The meeting was held on the 27^th September 2017 and attended by 26 people 14 male and 12 female participants were security, RDC, political leaders, ministers of cultural institutions, religious leaders, youth leaders and CSOs and media. The agenda of the meeting was on policy review of the cultural institutions act and its implementation on the community.

The participants looked at specifically those articles that have been mis-interpreted or not followed by the existing cultural institutions. They agreed that the Act has not been followed either it’s been misinterpreted by those supported to interpret it to the public. Such as articles 6,9,13 and 17 in the cultural Institutions Act 2015 and also looked at the constitutional provisions of establishment of cultural institutions and OBB in Bundibugyo.

After the discussion the members resolved that:

• cultural leaders should not participate in politics either directly or indirectly. 
• The District council resolution that recommended the establishment of OBB in Bundibugyo is shared with OBB and OBR such that the two can understand the key resolutions. 
• That leader should take time to understand the Act itself before attacking other people. 
•  District and cultural leaders should make a visit to Acholi land and learn how cultural leaders and politicians have worked together for peace. 
• The community should use the blood pact actions that existed in our tradition create the bonds that unite the people of different tribes/ethnicity. 

STOP DIVIDING US”, COMMUNITY CALL ON GOVERNMENT.

On 26^th September 2017 the community of Rwenzori region joined to participate in the international day of peace that was held in Bwesumbu sub county Kasese District. The peace day event attracted over 1000 people including students and pupils from schools, parents affected by the November attacks, Esyamango from OBR, local politicians represented by the LCV chairperson, religious leaders, local musician from all ethnic divides and members from the CSOs.

Bundibugyo District was represented by the youth from Bandi-magwara cultural group where 20 people were supported. Key results from the events were; people were free to enjoy the cultural diversity of the different drama groups, religious leaders preached peace and unity to the community.

A message of hope from the Hon Mbathulhagho who represented the LCV Mr. sibendire moved people to understand their role in the peace process. He said we must burry the past and focus on the present and the future.

Ecumenical prayers were held for peace and unity and to bring sanity in the sub county. A sign of hope was shown when community freely shared soft drinks and refreshment with members from different tribes including security. Tree planting was done to commemorate the tree of hope at Bwesumbu primary school and other surrounding schools and communities.

All the speeches, music and drama was driving to; facilitating more local engagement actions to build a strong grass root foundation against Conflict Merchants. Dialogue platforms need to be created for local citizens to always meet and analyze issues of development at their local levels. Respecting the independence of the different arms of Government is pertinent for human rights promotion and conflicts management. Youth were asked to defy wrong advises that are anti-Peace and encouraged to work for their stable future.

Batwa conduct a reflection meeting.

On 25^th September 2017 the Batwa community of bundibugyo held at Ntandi TTC hall Ntandi town council.40 Batwa attended. 17 were female and 23 male. The meeting was also attended by LCIII chairperson, LCI chairperson, and members from CSOs and area District councilor.

Batwa picking lesons from the Gulu experince

During the meeting, the Batwa re-affirmed their commitment to the Alcohol By-law they formed and suggest that leaders at allow level support them in the implementation process. They also agreed that parents should be exemplary at home to promote peace. They also agreed to take and support their children in the schools as it’s the only way they can make a step in development.

They re-affirmed their commitment to Batwa community Tukulakulane association. An association that bring everyone together. That the association will be used to lobby government to support their development programs.  

LCIII leader sharing with the Batwa

In his remarks the chairperson LCIII Mr. Jackson Musema appreciate the efforts of RIC-NET to support the Batwa come up with the program of forming a group, he promised to support the group with projects under youth development programs and also promised the Batwa to nominate 2 people to act as VHTs in their community, the two will receive training from the health department at the sub county and thus monitor the health situations among the Batwa people. But the Batwa must show cause.

supporting conflict affected girls in school

Girls  and children continue to be the most vulnerable group of people in times of disasters and conflict .During conflict girls get so vulnerable to sexual violence and lack basic needs which are more than those of their male counter parts  since they loose care takers and parents, through arrests ,death , migrations among other effects of conflict.This makes children and girls too susceptible to drop out of school, early marriages ,early pregnancies among other challenges .RIC-NET with support from the Global Fund for Children supports conflict affected girls in schools with psycho social support and mentoring , reproductive health knowledge , sanitary material , scholastic material to girls who have been affected by conflict .

RIC-NET staff hands over some of the items to some of the conflict affected girls with their matron

RIC-NET supported girls at Kithoma peas who were affected by the recent tribal conflicts in the Rwenzori region .The girls were supported with sanitary material ,books , pens,soap among other items .

RIC-NET STAFF TRAINED IN FUNDRAISING AND GRANT MANAGEMENT

RIC-NET with other GFC partners in Uganda sent 2 staff per organization with support from the Global Fund for children(GFC) to train in fundraising and grant management course at the MS-TCDC training center in Arusha Tanzania. The organizations that attended included: CIYOTA, RIC-NET, COW-FOUNDATION, HPH, FICH, LICO and RICE-WN.

RIC-NET was represented by Mr. Murugahara John and Miss Kenyana Evelyn in the 8 days training that was facilitated by Mr. Edson Nyingi. The training aimed at equipping the organizations with capacity to fundraise and manage grants so that they are able to do their development work well.

The participants pose for a photo at the closure of the course with the course administrator and the facilitator 

 Participants were taken through sessions to enhance their organization capacity to fundraise and these include:

 participants during one of the sessions

Organization strategic plan (the facilitator emphasized on the idea of having a strategic plan for the organization as it directs its work)

The theory of change (what change the organization requires and ways of achieving it)

The fundraising strategic plan which clearly states what the organization intends to achieve financially and ways how it will achieve it  

Proposal development (situation analysis, problem tree analysis, SWOT/BEEM analysis, the logic model, the logic frame work)

The participants also visited one women’s group in Moshi called (Tanzania women research foundation) TAWREF, which gave strategies on how they do fundraising, how they get their donors and how they manage competitors.

Participants during the field visit with some staff from TAWREF

 The organization ED shared that they have fundraising strategy which includes proposal writing, charity shop (business that generates income for the organization to address its administration costs)

 Key ideas from the training

 An organization can do small business to maintain its administration costs as some times donors do not provide administration costs.

The 80/20 theory which emphasizes organizations to write as many proposals as they can .The theory suggests that every 80 proposals written at least 20 will be successful.

 The idea of networks and consortiums was emphasized for proper fundraising

 Fundraising takes place at all levels in the organization and by all staff.

Participants were handed over certificates at the closure of the training by the course administrator and the facilitator.

RIC-NET staff Evelyn receiving her certificate

Muslim leaders trained in good parenting and prevention of violence against children

As one of the activities of the community driven approaches to prevent violence against children and adolsocents in Kasese district project as implemented by the four RWECO member organizations (RIC-NET , KALI, GOOD HOPE &RIDE-AFRICA )in partenership with Kasese guide radio that aims at creating violence free environment for children  ,RIC-NET conducted a training with Muslim religious leaders to equip them with knowledge about violence against children ,how it can be prevented and about good parenting .

The CDO Karambi facilitating

The one day training was attended by 14 (m-9, f-5) Muslim leaders from mosques in Karambi, Kitholhu sub counties and Mpondwe-Lhubiriha town council (imams, Amir (chairperson of the mosques),Amirat (women leaders). The training was held on 24^th august 2017 at Mpondwe primary school.  The training was facilitated by the CDO Karambi sub county Mr. Bwambale Douglas Moses and 2 RIC-NET staff focused on the different forms of violence against children and good parenting. The facilitators explained how good parenting goes beyond providing for the children’s basic needs but to love them ,be close to them ,provide encouragement all times to the child ,respect and trust them as much as possible ,understand the uniqueness of every child, be a role model to your children, discipline your children in a positive way among other ways . They further explained the four major parenting styles which include: very strict, firm but fair, permissive and indifferent /un involved.

At the end of the training the leaders pledged to share the information they acquired with their congregations in mosques and conferences of Muslim mothers’ union with the major aim of ending violence against children .

Psychosocial support and mentoring can change attitude towards life

Conflicts and natural disasters significantly impact  on children’s psycho social well-being and development. Exposure to violence, disaster, loss of or separation from family members and friends, deterioration in living conditions, inability to provide for one’s self and family, and lack of access to services can all have immediate and long-term consequences for children, families and communities and impair their ability to function and be fulfilled.

 RIC-NET with support from Global Fund for Children(GFC) conducts psycho social support sessions and mentor ship for conflict affected in and out of school young girls to help them recover from traumatic events that they experienced.

During a psycho social support session at semuliki high school

This support is in form of sharing different experiences , counseling,encouraging victims to cope among others .Specifically for the girls we work with this has  enabled  them to have a positive  attitude towards life, improve on their self esteem and confidence , concentrate on their studies and stay in school to complete their studies .

Some of the girls who attend the psycho social sessions pose for a photo at Semuliki high school

FOOT PEACE AMBASSADORS CONDUCT RADIO TALK SHOW

FPAs conduct a radio talk show to sensitize the community on the international day of peace and how to keep peace in the community.  The talk show was one of the events in the International peace week events. The theme for the event is "together for peace,respect,safety and dignity".The radio talk show was conducted on Development FM in Bundibugyo and attended by 3 FPAs. There were 17 callers 13 men and 4 women, according to the callers. Rwenzori region has witnessed series of conflicts since 1960, later into the current bloodshed in Kanyamwirima,Ngamba and attack on the palace in 2016

FPAs in the studio of Development FM

During the discussion Mr. Agulika Julius from Bubukwanga highlighted the role of each stake holders in the peace process. He mentioned that the Key stakeholders are; politicians, leaders from cultural institutions, religious leaders and the community. That community has to be honest to each desist from being used. Religious leaders to continue preaching peace, cultural leaders to engage the people into reconciliation while politicians find solutions into dialogue with others.

According to the callers, the peace process is being destroyed by the leaders who practice divide and rule or are segregate in nature. Mr. Isebaswagha from Ngamba mentioned that security people MUST also be sensitized on the way they handle victims Ms Baruba Jane from Buunga narrated that OBB and OBR must come clear and not hiding the truth, “tell those leaders to cooperate with the chairman”.

Two groups were later supported to attend the international day of peace in Bwesumbu sub county Kasese district. The group was led by youth wing of the Bandimagwara cultural group.

BUNDIBUGYO YOUTH MARATHON BUILT ANOTHER BLOCK FOR PEACE.

RIC-NET together with Bundibugyo students association (BUSA) organized a peace Marathon under the theme Youth building peace. The peace marathon was part of the youth week activities organized and support by RIC-NET under the code supporting youth organize youth caravan. This action was building block on the role of the youth in the peace process by designing community driven mechanism to management and prevent conflicts and human right violations. We had assumption that if the youth from different tribes can ran and play together they can as well plan together for development.

The youth marathon was attended by the LCV, RDC, DPC, CAO, DISO, many other district officials, and ministers from the Obudingiya bwa Bwamba and Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, Youth leaders at national and District level and many more youth. Members from other CSOs like save the children,REDCROSS,KALI,RIDEAfrica.

Over 200 youth participated in the event and area MP Hon Richard Mujungera and OBB PM Mubulya Wilson

At the marathon, awareness on the role of youth and peace process in Bundibugyo District, the youth demonstrated to the leaders that the they can co-existence and work together for the common goal and engage the leaders in support youth activities for peaceful co-existence such as youth support to children affected by the post election conflicts. A fund was launched by Hon Richard to support children that was affected by the post election conflicts at community level. Participants agreed to contribute towards this fund.1m was raised as cash on that day. Leaders and youth leaders who had never met were able to do so.

 The message of peace was equally shared inform of drama and poem to the members who gathered for the event. The event was marked as District Youth day event for peace. Thus youth must preserve the generation to come, take use of the available natural resources for development, develop goals and planning that yield income and youth divergent skills should be enhanced for economic transformation. The youth must resist bad advice of hatred from the elders. This was a call from the PM OBB. Thus CSOs presents agreed to market the day and ensure resources are available for the Running for Peace. Members from the Batwa Minority group were able to share and laugh with other participants.

STOP INVOLVING YOUTH IN WAR BATTLES - LEADERS ASKED.

Senior 1 Pupil of Kabango SS asked leaders to stop involving the children and the youth in their battle for fame that leads to bloodshed.
This was mentioned during the youth Conference and debate that was held on 10^th/8/2017 at Bundibugyo Teacher Training College. The theme for the conference was “Youth in peace building and co-existence”. The conference was organized by RIC-NET together with District youth council with support from RWECO.

RDC, LC V, and UPDF spokesman 2rd Division Mbarara

The conference attracted leader leaders from the sub counties and pupils and students from Kabango SS, Three Angels SS, and Goodhope SS, and Student Teachers from Bundibugyo PTC. Key district leaders that attended was the RDC,DISO,LCV,District Speaker, District Youth councilors, district youth Council, Hon. Mutoro Yeremia of OBB and Major Peter Mugisa the Public relations officer of UPDF 2^nd Division and members from CSOs supporting the youth Agenda.

Key issues shared during the conference was on; information sharing and conflict management presented by RIC-NET, causes analysis and role of the youth in development by Major Mugisa PRO of army. During these debates, youth accepted that for the past period they have been led based on deceit information, running battles who causes are not Youth Agenda, following leaders without proper ideology for development and economic empowerment. 

In his remarks Major Mugisa called on the youth to put a line and develop a plan of action to be achieved, share the plan with the leaders and let the two works out how the plan can be achieved. In her words Ms Jane Bainomugisha from the National Youth Council, emphasized the need for proper information sharing and “only that information that will contribute to economic well being of the young people”.

It was resolved that youth must starting thinking and engaging in business investment , marketing what is available, tap the potentials and skills available , value addition to the little that is produced.

These can help the youth move away from the conflicts of patronage leading to bloodshed to a more productive conflict of investment in business which is productive, lead to employment and remove ignorance from the community. The conference was closed by the LCV chairperson Hon Mutegeki Ronald.