JOURNEY OF A PEACE WORKER

October 2013 Introduction At a recent conference in Soroti, Uganda, stakeholders discussed the government's program on vocational training for former child combatants. Many felt that the program was irrelevant and lacked quality, failing to meet the needs of these young people. This is a problem because many former combatants have no formal education and lack the necessary skills to compete in the job market. The government's response has been to integrate them into the country's Defense Force, but this has generated negative feelings among some members of the community who see them as beneficiaries of violence. The Importance of Vocational Training One key strategy of the government has been to rehabilitate former combatants by providing them with vocational education and training so they can be self-reliant. However, stakeholders have raised concerns about the relevance of the courses offered by institutions, as they do not reflect what is in the job market. This ...

On October 16, 2013, I attended the Regional Launch of the Northern Uganda Conflict Analysis and Peace and Conflict Indicators organized by the Advisory Consortium on Conflict Sensitivity (ACCS) in Soroti, Eastern Uganda. This was the second event that I was attending after the initial launch of the National Conflict Analysis and Peace Indicators that took place in Kampala earlier in the month. My role was to document the outcomes of the discussions and lead the plenary session. The ACCS project is being implemented through a consortium of three organizations (International Alert, SaferWorld, and Refugee Law Project). The project's overall aim is to assist DFID and its partners in strengthening the potential of the Peace and Recovery Development Programme (PRDP) and recovery process to address the causes of conflict  in Northern Uganda  and contribute to sustainable peace and stability.  The International Alert monitors the extent to which interventions under the PRDP ,...

I have now been in Gulu for 11 weeks, living in a spacious house in a suburb that's within walking distance to both the town and my office. Before arriving in Gulu, I didn’t know much about the area. Despite speaking with a few people, I had lingering doubts about my security and imagined I might not feel safe. I was naïve about being perceived as a foreigner, even though I come from a neighboring country—especially in a region historically affected by war. However, it’s clear that things have changed since the end of the two-decade-long conflict between the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Nevertheless, the memories of war continue to linger in many people's minds here. Since my arrival, I have grown to appreciate my time here as my worries have largely been alleviated. I’ve encountered friendly and open-minded people who have welcomed me warmly. Uganda is a culturally rich country, and the ethics and values here have made me feel at home....

My Last Days at TASO This week, I’m at TASO attending a TB workshop organized by the Medical Department to raise awareness among staff about TB's dangers and transmission. I chose to invite myself to this workshop, which includes medical staff, counselors, and other caregivers. This aligns with TASO's mission to continuously support facility staff involved in HIV/AIDS care in post-war Gulu. Dr. Owino, a medical doctor and radiologist consultant from Kampala, delivered an informative presentation on how health workers can prevent TB's spread while working with clients. He covered different types of TB and their manifestations in the context of HIV/AIDS. Earlier, a government official in a radio interview urged donors to support programs beyond TB, HIV, and AIDS, like malaria, which is also a leading cause of death in Uganda. This raises the question: whose agenda matters—the government’s or the donors’? I’ve also just recovered from a severe malaria attack and a lingering...

Ongoing Field Reflection Arrival in Gulu, Uganda:   After arriving in July, m y first priority was to make myself comfortable by finding a house and a phone and getting to know Gulu. Luckily, I was able to connect with my colleagues from Kroc who had arrived a few days earlier. Dr. William Komakech was instrumental in orienting us. During my first week, I explored my neighborhood, learned about the people, and figured out the distance between my home and the office. Dr. Komakech helped us find places to hang out and shop and briefed us on safety and security in Gulu. He also provided information about the local culture and the Northern Uganda conflict. On Thursday, I went shopping at the local market with my colleague David and his family. We bought foodstuffs, and I enjoyed the attention of David and his family. Gulu is the largest town in northern Uganda and is home to many ex-pat NGO workers. It was once a war zone, but now life is back to normal. Many NGOs and social e...