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.
