Creating Synergies Between The Bridges To Peace Project & The Women In Preventing Violent Extremism Project

Through our partner network Sister’s Without Boarder’s Women in preventing violent extremism project, we supported Women Victims of Terrorism engaged under the Bridges to Peace Project to participate in a 1-day advocacy workshop for women victims of terrorism.  It gave the women and their families an opportunity to  interface with relevant government authorities including the UPDF, elected Members of Parliament, Uganda Police, and Civil Society which promoted a better understanding of their plight.

The overall objectives of the workshop were; to amplify the voices and rights of women victims of terrorism in government and the public, advocate for comprehensive and sustained support to victims to enable their healing, compensation and justice, provide a platform for in-depth discussions and meaningful interactions on the rights victims of terrorism including Rehabilitation, assistance and support, and propose reforms in government CT strategies to include the role of victims of terrorism.

Women victims of terrorism engaged for the Community Stories Exhibition of the Bridges to Peace project were invited and given slots to interface with the leaders so they could find longer lasting solutions to their pain.

The Bridges to Peace Project is a multi-faceted P/CVE action implemented by Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum and Kofi Annan Foundation, and is supported by the European Union.

Zura Ramadhan lost one of her eyes during the 2021 terror attacks on Kampala and also still carries bomb fragments in different parts of her body to- date. We learnt about her during the mapping of victims for the Community Stories Exhibition under the Bridges to Peace Project. From then onwards, we started using her story and that of other victims to highlight the impact of terrorism on citizen’s lives.

It was during a Civil Society training workshop on Preventing/ Countering Violent Extremism that participants picked great interest in Zura Ramadhan’s story. Led by Mr. Wilson Mugarura from Kyazanga, in Lwengo District, the participants contributed USD100 that was gifted to Zura to buy specialized glasses for her condition.

With the glasses, she is slowly returning to work so she can fend for her family.

The Bridges to Peace Project is a multi-faceted P/CVE action implemented by Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum and Kofi Annan Foundation, and is supported by the European Union.

PASTOR MUGISHA ABBY

Bridges to Peace Project beneficiary, Lwengo District

According to a 2021 research on Violent Extremism in Masaka sub-region, Lwengo has long been a hotbed of inter-religious tensions and sometimes violence.

This is usually stirred by extreme religious leaders among different religious sects that preach in an inciteful, disrespectful and divisive manner.  Pastor Abby was one of the religious leaders who carried this banner- ultimately undermining community cohesion needed to defeat violent extremist elements. He was so tough that many even in his Church are still shocked by the change they see in him since participating in the Influencer Trainings of the Bridges to Peace Project.

His approach to preaching has now changed drastically, depicting a respect for other people's beliefs even as they are different from his own. As head of the Pentecostal Christian community in his region, he has also used this platform to encourage fellow pastors to embrace this approach.

He has additionally restructured religious organisation at his church school. Before, the school only catered for the Pentecostal Christians that were given space to worship. Inspired by the Influencer Trainings, he has so far appointed 2 elders to lead and also guide the Muslim and Catholic learners in his school – creating more room for religious diversity.

Pastor Abby’s transformation is key in strengthening community defences against violent extremism because while extremists spread divisive religious propaganda that justifies the killing of the different, religious tolerance & social cohesion provide an alternative that can prevent extremist ideologies from taking root in society.

The Bridges to Peace Project is a multi-faceted P/CVE action implemented by Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum and Kofi Annan Foundation, and is supported by the European Union.

NAMUTAMBA NUBUWATI, Salafi Women Leader & Bridges to Peace Project beneficiary, Bugiri District

Nubuwati participated in a 2- day Salafi Women Leaders training in strategies for Preventing/ Countering Violent Extremism. She also later on in the project represented Salafi women in a dialogue between the Salafi Community and Local government leaders whose institutional mandates have a bearing on the community drivers of violent extremist recruitment. The trainings on their part aimed to spur and strengthen the role of Salafi Women leaders in addressing conditions conducive to violent extremism in their communities.

Topics covered included; Why the women’s voice matters in peace and development, Cycle of Socialization & Liberation, Power, 4 Resources for personal resilience, building peace through strengthening social systems and programs, building peace through economic empowerment programs, and building peace through accelerating civic participation & engagement.

Under the theme of mindset change, the Salafi women leaders were introduced to an Inter-faith exchange with women of other faith groups that drew women leaders from the Catholic Church, Seventh day Adventist Church, Anglican Church, and Pentecostal Church who shared their experiences in confidence-building, women organizing, institutional building, and women development.

Nubuwati was fired up. She categorically stated that emboldened by the project, she decided to attend a training that was organized in her locality on the Parish Development Model ( PDM)– a newly launched government development program. She had over heard people saying this money had interest and could not benefit Muslims.

When she attended the government training, she had learnt that PDM funds had no interest in the first year someone received it and that if she repaid the money during this period, that was favorable for her as a Muslim. She applied and now got a PDM loan of USD530 which she is using to recapitalize her business. Being a leader of her stature and influence, she continues to inspire other Salafi women to actively participate in local government meetings, and also embrace government development programs that didn’t compromise their values as Muslims.

Active participation of Salafi in public affairs and government development programs erases feelings of real and perceived marginalisation that may push some community members into the hands of extremists as a way to seek justice. The Bridges to Peace Project is a multi-faceted P/CVE action implemented by Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum and Kofi Annan Foundation, and is supported by the European Union.

It is not uncommon for unruly learners to waylay, rob and beat up people in the neighbourhoods of Yumbe District. Antagonism between schools is also common. Inter-school fights are sparked off during sports competitions and thereafter, students from one school can organise themselves in guerrilla style and go and attack another school.

In the last 7 years, Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum (UMYDF) with support from Finn Church Aid and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland has reached 20,700 young people in public and private schools in Central Uganda and West Nile through high school-based peace clubs and peace education initiatives.

In the last 7 years, Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum (UMYDF) with support from Finn Church Aid and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland has reached 20,700 young people in public and private schools in Central Uganda and West Nile through high school-based peace clubs and peace education initiatives.

Peace Club members that we work with across Central Uganda and West Nile are shaping student leadership and school disciplinary practices. First, we highlight how Peace Club members are shaping student leadership.

Photo: CSO Representatives During the Three-Day Capacity Building Workshop.

As part of our efforts to reduce incidents of violent extremism and support for such acts in Uganda, we are partnering with the Kofi Annan Foundation, with funding from the European Union for the Bridges to Peace Project...