We are pleased to announce that the Bridges to Peace Project has been making steady progress for nearly 8 months. Despite some challenges, we have successfully executed project activities thanks to our esteemed partner, the Kofi Annan Foundation, and the invaluable support of the European Union. Our team has accomplished several activities with exceptional outcomes, and we take great pride in these achievements.
From the Influencers training which happened in February 2023 where 20 key figures from four districts of Uganda were trained on the P/CVE, a number of them pledged to use the acquired knowledge to promote peace in their communities, A youth participant testified that for a long time he always thought that stopping Violent Extremism was only possible to those with huge logistics and power (like the Government). “now I am ready to go back to my community and influence my fellow youth to consider promoting Peace".
Zulaika Nanfuka - Manager & Resource Mobilizer - UMYDF interacting with Journalists & Media Actors at the Workshop
In March 2023, our team successfully conducted a two days Capacity building workshop for local and National media actors on Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism, the activity overall goal was to accelerate and strengthen the role of media and journalists in the prevention/countering of violent extremism and terrorism.
The purpose of this activity was to educate media professionals on the terminology, dynamics, and best practices related to Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism (P/CVET) issues. The activity also familiarized them with both Global and National Policy & legislative frameworks. By participating in this activity, media practitioners were able to develop their knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively contribute to P/CVET efforts. The activity also provided opportunities for media practitioners to continue learning about P/CVE issues and encouraged them to engage in independent study.
During the workshop for the Bridges to Peace project, 20 journalists from four districts in Uganda attended. We were privileged to have Mr. Nicolas Gonze, the Head of Governance and Social Inclusion for the EU Delegation in Uganda, as our guest of honor. In his speech, Mr. Gonze highlighted to the Journalists the factors that contribute to violent extremism.
A senior journalist named Charles Etukuri from New Vision expressed his positive feedback on the training and suggested that the organization extend it to media house editors. He emphasized that even when they produce good stories, the editors ultimately decide what gets published. The training helped him understand how to handle people who attach the narrative of violent extremism to Muslims, and he hopes to continue promoting prevention and countering violent extremism through his work. Another journalist named Magembe Farish also praised the training and pledged to utilize the knowledge gained in his reporting.
Our team has also conducted a total of eight training sessions in four districts, namely Lwengo, Masaka, Kampala, and Bugiri, for both Youth and Women Leaders. The aim was to empower and enhance the role of women and youth leaders in addressing the factors that contribute to violent extremism in their respective communities.
Kampala Women Leaders engaging in a Discussion with the Participants
Regarding the Youth, Our objective was to enhance the self-efficacy of youth leaders by providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to inspire youth-led action aimed at addressing conditions that promote violent extremism in their communities.
Regarding the women, Our goal has been to empower and support women leaders in combating violent extremism in their communities. We aimed at helping them address the challenges and needs of their communities that may affect peace, and build their self-efficacy and commitment to promoting and maintaining peace. “Much as I am a Leader, I have been having less confidence in myself but after this training, I strongly believe in myself and I know nothing is impossible said one of the women participant”.
