International Alert recently facilitated two discussion fora in Northern Uganda’s districts of Amuru and Kitgum, which brought together stakeholders from different sectors of Uganda’s society and local communities to promote peacebuilding as part of the economic recovery of Northern Uganda.
In Amuru, the discussion focused on creating an understanding between oil companies and local communities; while in Kitgum, participants discussed how local business leaders can be key stakeholders in building peace at the local level.
These dialogue fora are part of the District Dialogue Series (DDS), a series of discussions organised and facilitated by Alert in four districts in Northern Uganda, Kitgum, Pader, Gulu and Amuru, aimed at promoting a conflict-sensitive approach to the economic recovery in the north of the country.
In Amuru, Alert facilitated the DDS along with Heritage Oil Company and representatives from Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MoEMD). This provided an important opportunity for the Heritage Oil Company to begin addressing some of the tensions and misconceptions concerning oil that had arisen within the Amuru community. MoEMD was also able to provide information on the progress of oil discovery in the country. This dialogue forum furthermore allowed leaders from the Amuru community to put forward some key action points that will enable local communities, government and Heritage to begin addressing issues of common interest constructively. Heritage was urged to be more transparent by informing districts about their relationship with sub-contractors for any Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives such as building schools or clinics, constructing roads, and so on. Participants also emphasised the need for Heritage to recognise that people’s views and concerns are key to fostering good relations within the local community.
Meanwhile, the Kitgum DDS was held in four sub-counties over the course of one week and attended by over 230 participants. Organised by Alert, the forum was facilitated by Kitgum Joint Forum for Peace (KJFP), a body set up in 2000 by the Kitgum District’s Local Government Council with the mandate of peacebuilding, which brings together cultural and religious leaders, and civil society organisations. The forum’s theme was based on the premise that businesspeople at different levels are viable actors that can be called on to proactively promote reconciliation and mitigate causes and impacts of conflict at the community level. The forum was very participatory and interactive. Amongst the final recommendations, participants especially highlighted the need for KJFP to lead similar discussions in Kitgum’s remaining sub-counties where trade is particularly active, as in the counties bordering South Sudan and Karamoja.
The Amuru and Kitgum DDS demonstrated that such an inclusive and enabling environment can offer valuable discussions that contribute to peace as economic recovery gathers pace in Northern Uganda. Alert believes that the Amuru and Kitgum dialogue fora were effective platforms where stakeholders could discuss conflict issues while addressing Uganda’s economic recovery, and we are determined to continue supporting this initiative.
Alert would also like to express its appreciation towards Sida and USAID/Spring, whose funding makes the DDS possible.