Chris Ocowun And Caroline Ayugi
22 July 2008
Kampala — A COMMUNITY conflict resolution and peace building project has been launched in Gulu district. The 18-month project codenamed 'Healing communities, restoring hope' is funded by the European Union in conjunction with Save the Children in Uganda.
Save the Children country director Helene Anderson Novela on Monday launched the 200,000 euros (sh520m) initiative at Gulu district council hall.
She said it would establish an effective conflict resolution mechanism in Acholi sub-region through supporting the Gulu district reconciliation and peace team.
"Conflict resolution and reconciliation among the people of northern Uganda is central to building lasting peace in the region," said Novela.
"Without investing in these processes at the community level for both adults and children, it will be impossible to sustain the peace ushered in by the Juba process."
The clerk to council, Charles Uma, said in 2000, there were many children from LRA captivity who were stigmatised in the community.
He added that many of them had ended up on the streets because they were rejected by their parents and guardians.
The leaders in the north, said Gulu LC5 chairman Norbert Mao, should unite for development irrespective of their political differences
He urged them to emulate President Yoweri Museveni, who had reconciled with and accepted to talk to rebel LRA leader, Joseph Kony.
Mao suggested that women should also be allowed to perform traditional reconciliation rituals like mato-oput, which is a preserve of men.
The district reconciliation and peace team, he added, would ask the European Union for funds to fence part of the Coo-Pee internally displaced peoples' camp as a historical monument.
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