“When I came here, I realized that as media we have not been given sufficient training on how to cover VET events. I didn’t know that during our course of work, we can actually end up being used to push an agenda of violent extremists! I now understand issues of VE better. When I go out doing my work, I will be mindful of the feelings of the victims and the context behind my work.”

“From today, even while I report on VET incidents in a timely manner, I will keep at the back of my mind one fact I have learnt; endeavour not to promote the interests of the extremists.”

“There is sincerely no basis for us to despise non-Muslims because they respect us in many ways and have emulated from us various things that they have put in practice for advancement of their society. We cannot get to benefit from them or call them to Islamic guidance if we do not bring them close. So, I have learnt that non-Muslims are not to be despised. I have learnt from them; they have a systematic way of building their economic muscle.”

“When I heard the project title of Bridges to Peace, it sounded grand and I wondered how it was to be actualized. But the way the facilitators have taught us, the wrong attitudes I had have changed and I feel enthusiastic about working tirelessly towards attaining peace. I have learnt that there are many options to violence but for one to realize this, there must be a shift in mindset. I personally feel my mind has been opened up through this workshop; I have become a bridge to peace! Before this, I had interest and was in support of Jihad as a means of solving our grievances as Muslims; we have felt discriminated for long. There are many family members, neighbors and friends who have perpetrated or aided violence in the community and I felt they were justified so I supported them. But from what I have been taught, I have come to know that conflicts and war affect women most even in their spirituality. So, I should fight conflict and violence in my community using the techniques I have learnt.”

“The teachers taught us in a way that gave us confidence that we can. Those days back I couldn’t even stand before a group of people with suggestions but now I can rally them to a common good. I can counsel fellow youths in case of community conflicts and misunderstandings with local leaders or the government; calm them down in case they are reacting violently. I am confident enough to do this even with just a voice.”

“I have got to understand that VE actions can have psychological impact on an individual in form of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder. And from my background of mental health, I hope to support victims and returnees after learning in depth how they have been affected based on their differential circumstances and vulnerabilities”

“I have got to understand that terrorism involves hurting people to achieve ideological goals and it has confirmed to me that VET is close to us in the community we live in; we even knew some victims. Risk factors include poverty, distortion of religious teachings, presence of ideologies and more. I am so pleased that I have got to understand what I didn’t know.”

“From the story of the one who saw a flickering light and didn’t pay particular attention, I related to the children who may find and play with harmful things. Some may be bombs that they may even bring back home. I advise parents to pay attention to where and what their children are playing with.”

“I recognize Katongole and on that fateful day, we had just departed ways when I heard the bomb blast. I am also a police officer. I implore you not to keep people’s luggage you have not checked.”

“When I was invited to attend this discourse, I didn’t know that there is so much I didn’t know. As journalists we look at trainings where we interact and learn new information but rarely do we think about the fundamental paradigm shift; how information that you have not been privy to can change your understanding of things; and whether it continues a process or entrenches a practice. When you encounter such information and your mind is opened to how VE could be perpetrated just by how information is rolled out there! I think it is one of the aspects that have been very eye opening about the workshop.”

“Bringing people of other faiths was unexpected. We have shared and learnt from them. I will endeavor to work more with people of other faiths, learn from them and take the knowledge and skills back to my people to develop them. As long as interacting with them does not compromise my faith. I have appreciated that a lot.”

“Often times we focus on religious teachings and ignore the socio-economic wellbeing of the person. This training has shown me that we need to take care of not only the spiritual but also the socio-economic welfare of those we lead. I am going back to plan for my people to see that they advance financially.”

“The culture of collective action among the women has not been there; I hope to encourage the women towards organizing so that we raise stronger collective voices. We congregate over 100 women at the mosque twice monthly but we had no single economic empowerment program for them. Now with the new ideas l have, l am going back to start a saving scheme for them making use of the halal banking services already established in Masaka.”

“I didn’t know that I had power but I have discovered that I do in this training. Because of this there are many responsibilities and issues I would ignore thinking myself powerless to act. From today, I will engage in different socioeconomic issues in my community because I have the power to make a difference”

“This is tragic because it does not discriminate. I have seen a victim with a rosary, a Muslim victim in jilbab yet terrorism has been linked to Muslims, a Munyankole victim, a Muganda! This is really sad!!”

“I thank UMYDF for bringing this piece on security alertness at a timely moment of Christmas and new year festivities. Security starts from your home; as police we advise people to stay home and avoid large gatherings because they are targeted. Security matters are not just for the Police, Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF), or government but all of us as individuals and through neighborhood watch and alerts in case of suspected danger. When security is compromised, all other aspects of life are disorganized.”

“I thank UMYDF for bringing us such beneficial information. The videos have touched me and l felt tears. Let us be patriotic and love one another. My own mother was a victim of a bomb incident at a function and she retained fragments. It was a struggle treating her all the way to Kenya. Let us be vigilant and care for one another.”