Tag Archives: Dialogue

Providing a platform for important dialogues on gender-related issues

Dialogue held at Pabo sub-county with WAN members, relatives and local leaders present. Photo by Patrick Odong/JRP.
Dialogue held at Pabo sub-county with WAN members, relatives and local leaders present. Photo by Patrick Odong/JRP.

As communities navigate a post-conflict journey together, it is key for a stage to be given for different groups within society to share their experiences, challenges and current journeys.

Recently, as part of the “Livelihood” project implemented by JRP and Women’s Advocacy Network (WAN), with funding from Uganda fund, four dialogues were organised in three districts: Pader, Nwoya, and Amuru. The formulation of these dialogues came about after feedback sessions conducted across various WAN groups had brought to light a number of common challenges faced by WAN members. It was conceived by JRP and WAN that such challenges should be discussed with members, local government and cultural officials, as well as spouses and supporting relatives as gender-related issues that need a holistic approach for them to be remedied.

Being mainly made up of victims of conflict-related SGBV, the WAN groups have been supported throughout this project in a number of ways. The project supports WAN groups in selecting an Income Generating Activity (IGA) for the group and building it together into a sustainable and efficient source of income for members. Throughout the project period, members have noticed that certain challenges are standing in the way of complete achievement of the project’s aims. Such common challenges highlighted included: jealousy, stigma, land conflict, lack of local authority assistance, and harming of animals distributed as part of project. During the dialogue, members were given the opportunity to elaborate on these points in order to help paint a clearer picture for those relatives and local leaders in attendance.

A key question posed to the groups was whether they felt they were experiencing such issues due to their identity as a victim of SGBV or whether it was due to their gender. Whilst some emphasized the role their gender plays in the challenges they face, most accentuated how being a victim of SGBV, and for many a returnee from LRA captivity, brought the most challenges. Although members perhaps did not agree completely, it is important that these members consider the gender aspect, so that effective remedies can be agreed upon.

When addressing the issues discussed that related to local land conflict or relations with the local authorities, local government officials were on hand to listen, respond and advise. Many of the local leaders acknowledged how they were formerly unaware of some of the problems the group faced and called for all groups to work closely with the local authority. Providing a space for discussion between the members and the local leaders proved promising and could be important for the future of the groups’ project implementation.

After such a long period of violence that impacted the lives of most in northern Uganda, it is necessary to aid in social reconstruction and reconciliation. In aiding groups to inform other members, relatives and important figures within the community on their activities, hopes and struggles, we hope communities within northern Uganda can build a bright and peaceful future together.

Let’s Talk, Uganda brings dialogues to Lango sub-region

A man participates in a 'Let's Talk, Uganda' dialogue in Gulu on 3 September 2016. Claire Kahunde/Justice and Reconciliation Project.
A man participates in a ‘Let’s Talk, Uganda’ dialogue in Gulu on 3 September 2016. Claire Kahunde/Justice and Reconciliation Project.

PRESS RELEASE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

BARLONYO, LIRA- Following three previous public dialogues in Acholi, Let’s Talk, Uganda is heading to Lango sub-region this September to hold conversations about justice and reconciliation in post-conflict Uganda.

The first dialogue in Lango will be held on Thursday, 22 September 2016, in Barlonyo village in Lira district. A similar event will be held the following day, 23 September, in Lira town at Lira Municipal Council Hall.

Let’s Talk, Uganda dialogues aim to give space for these communities to engage in discussion on peace, truth-telling and reconciliation. It combines the innovative use of social media and traditional forms of dialogue to allow Ugandans, with a focus on the youth, to access different viewpoints on transitional justice.

The discussions during both dialogues will be relayed on the internet through a Let’s Talk, UgandaFacebook and Twitter pages, as well as the Let’s Talk, Uganda website, letstalk.ug. A special WhatsApp number has also been created to allow people from across Uganda to interface.

The dialogues in Barlonyo and Lira follow similar events in Lukodi on 2 June, 2016, Odek on 28 July and in Gulu on 3 September. In each area, the innovative approaches by the initiative to facilitate conversation has been welcomed.

Ojok Michael, a sub-county chief in Odek, said: “We embrace this new approach to disseminating information about what happened and the experiences of communities after war through the emphasis of the youth and the internet. The word is now a global village.”

Justin Ocan, a community member of Lukodi who participated in dialogues in Lukodi and Gulu: “[Let’s Talk, Uganda] will help people know what happened during the war,” he says, “The world will become aware of what should have been done.”

To join the conversation, people can follow the Let’s Talk, Uganda Facebook page at fb.me/letstalkuganda, twitter handle @talk_ug, use the hashtag #LetsTalkUganda or send comments or questions to a WhatsApp number at +256 782 112 002.

About Let’s Talk, Uganda

Let’s talk Uganda is a project being run jointly by the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) and RNW Media with the aim of engaging people in northern Uganda and Kampala in  dialogue, with a focus on the youth, on issues faced by the post conflict societies in order to promote understanding and reconciliation, furthering the transitional justice process in Uganda.

Contact: Oryem Nyeko, Communications and Advocacy Team Leader, JRP onyeko@justiceandreconciliation.com

Let’s Talk, Gulu

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Join the conversation on justice and reconciliation in Gulu.

On Saturday, 3 September 2016, Let’s Talk, Uganda will be holding a dialogue in Gulu to talk about peace, justice and reconciliation in post-conflict Uganda. This dialogue follows similar events in Lukodi and Odek, where people talked about issues that face them to further the transitional justice process in Uganda.

The discussion this Saturday will highlight some of the previous discussions, while including voices from outside of Gulu using our social media platforms and radio.

How you can join the conversation:

  • If you’re in Gulu, join us at Gulu District Council Hall opposite Bank of Uganda at 10 AM.
  • Listen to Radio Rupiny (95.7 FM in Gulu and 98.1 FM in Lira) for a live broadcast of the dialogue
  • Share your views on the Let’s Talk, Uganda Facebook page – me/LetsTalkUganda or on twitter @talk_ug
  • We’ll also be giving live updates on the Let’s Talk, Uganda website letstalk.ug, so check back here for details.

We hope to see you there!

Let’s Talk, Uganda heads to Odek

A woman speaks during a dialogue in Lukodi village, Bungatira sub-county.
A woman speaks during a dialogue in Lukodi village, Bungatira sub-county.

 

PRESS RELEASE THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

GULU – Today Let’s Talk, Uganda will hold its second community dialogue in Odek, a sub-county in Omoro district, combining the innovative use of social media with offline discussion.

The dialogue aims to give space for the community of Odek to engage in a discussion and hear different viewpoints on transitional justice, peace, truth-telling and reconciliation. The opinions expressed in Odek and online will be shared through dedicated social media pages on Facebook and Twitter to facilitate conversation. A special WhatsApp number has also been created to allow people from across Uganda to take part.

This is the second Let’s Talk, Uganda dialogue, following one in the village of Lukodi in Gulu on 2 June. Like in Lukodi, the people of Odek have welcomed the initiative and expressed their commitment to support it.

Odek sub-county chief Ojok Michael said: “We embrace this new approach to disseminating information about what happened and the experiences of communities after war through the emphasis of the youth and the internet. The word is now a global village.”

The chair of Kica Ber, a survivors group in Odek, Lakwo Nyero Partick Sila, also said: “[The dialogue] will help people outside to know of Odek and the LRA war. Awareness will be created and the minds of people will be changed.”

“It will give time to people to express their opinion. People have no platforms and avenues to express their opinions,” he said.

The dialogue in Odek itself will centre around four topics chosen by people from Odek:

  • Is there peace in the community?
  • How can the voices of the community be heard?
  • Can truth telling bring change?
  • How can we challenge the negative perceptions of Odek?

To join the conversation at Odek, interested participants are asked to follow the Let’s Talk, Uganda Facebook page at fb.me/letstalkuganda, twitter: @talk_ug or send comments or questions to the WhatsApp number at +256 782 112 002.

About Let’s Talk, Uganda

Let’s talk Uganda is a project run jointly by the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) and RNW Media with the aim of engaging people in northern Uganda and Kampala in a dialogue, with a focus on the youth and issues faced by post-conflict societies. The aim is to promote understanding, reconciliation and the transitional justice process in Uganda.

Dialogue with northern Ugandan stakeholders on the Right to Know campaign for missing persons highlights need to support the missing and their families

On 28 August 2015, families of the missing, religious and traditional leaders, and civil society marched through Lira to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared as part of JRP's The RIght to Know campaign.
On 28 August 2015, families of the missing, religious and traditional leaders, and civil society marched through Lira to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared as part of JRP’s The RIght to Know campaign.

On August 28 2015, JRP organized a dialogue with representatives of family of the missing from four sub-regions of West Nile, Teso, Acholi and Lango as part of a campaign to create awareness for missing person in Lira called ‘The Right to Know’. This started with a procession from Lira District Chambers through the streets in Lira and later to Apostolic Centre with the people like religious leaders, traditional leaders, families of the missing and other civil society organizations like African Youth Initiative Network, Justice and Peace Commission, Northern Uganda Media Club, Concerned Parents Association and several media persons to spread the messages of the family of the missing.

A short prayer was made by Pastor Martin Odongo after a representative of the four sub-regions lit a candle. The burning candles were a symbol of light in the life of those who had gone missing.

During remarks given by JRP Head of office JRP Boniface Ojok, there was emphasis on the importance of recognizing the 30th of August as a day in remembrance of those who have disappeared in Uganda. Mr Ojok spoke about the need for the government to incorporate the issue of the missing persons in its policy in order to meet the social, legal and to a greater extent economic challenges facing the missing and their families. This is because, he said, the issue of the missing can be a long term impediment to peace. JRP’s 2014 policy brief, ‘The Right to Know – Policy Recommendations for Addressing The Rights of The Missing and Their Families in Northern Uganda’ reflected this by providing recommendations for acknowledgment of the missing persons, a comprehensive policy in regards to missing persons, and support for ongoing research outside of the scope of the brief.

When representatives of the families of the missing of across northern Uganda spoke at the event, many said that they are living with trauma, stigma, land conflict and lack of family support. Because there has been little acknowledgment of the issue of the missing as being important the families live in pain and isolation with feelings of anxiety for information on the whereabouts of their children.

During the Acting Resident District Commissioner for Lira and District Security Officer, Frank Madulo’s speech, he acknowledged the work of JRP in advocating for the missing and their families by making its calls victim oriented. He further made mentioned that he will ensure that the government acknowledges 30th August being the day for the disappeared persons. to support the families of the missing and to incorporate the issue of the missing persons in Uganda’s forthcoming Transitional Justice (TJ) policy.

Joyce Abalo is a Project Assistant with JRP’s Community Mobilisation department.

 

Grassroots Perspectives on Amnesty

Report on Community Dialogues Conducted in Koch Goma Sub-County (Acholi Sub-Region), Abia Sub-County (Lango Sub-Region), Obalanga Sub-County (Teso Sub-Region) and Romogi Sub-County (West Nile Sub-Region) to Gather Grassroots Perspectives on Amnesty in Uganda

From the 7 – 29 October 2014, the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) on behalf of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) conducted four community dialogues in the sub-regions of Acholi, Lango, Teso and West Nile in northern Uganda to solicit grassroots perspectives on Uganda’s Amnesty Act of 2000. The dialogues were conducted as part of a wider research project being implemented by the Uganda Law Society to inform the drafting of a future Model Amnesty Law for Uganda. This report provides a summary of the views and perspectives gathered from these dialogues. Detailed transcriptions of the dialogues are also attached as annexes.

Download this report here (pdf).