JUSTICE AND PEACE NEWS

MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3

Newsletter of the Justice and Peace Commission of Archdiocese of Gulu - “If you want peace, work for Justice”

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JPC staff contribute a point during training.
JPC Gulu participated in a series of trainings
together with JPC Soroti to strengthen the
capacities of church structures in order for
them to be able to better serve the communi-
ties, which especially in the North need sub-
stantial support after the long years of
conflict.
2 MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3
Cross border peace
building: Acholi-Jie
Godfrey Toolit the Programme Officer for JPC Kalongo Pader Branch enjoys Karamojong dance with the Karacunas and
women peace builders in lakomebuu, Kotido District
The communities of Kotido district have
expressed their commitment to reconcile
and live in harmony with the Acholi popula-
tion.
This came out during a three days training
workshop organized by the Justice and
Peace Commission (JPC) Gulu
Archdiocese Pader Branch Office in
Kalongo. The training was in collaboration
with the Justice and peace Commission
Kotido district.
JPC of the Archdiocese of Gulu has been
promoting peaceful conflict resolutions,
Cooperation, Harmonious co-existence,
Human Right protection and Reconciliation
among communities in Acholi and Karamoja
land, since 2005.
The workshop was opened by the District
Chairperson of Kotido District and closed by
the Administrator of Kotido Catholic
Diocese. It was held in Kanawat Catholic
Parish, Kotido diocese.
The training workshop aimed at building the
capacity of the Peace Animators to enhance
Community dialogue, Reconciliation &
Peace building between the community of
Acholi and Karamoja.
The Programme officer in charge of Acholi-
Jie programme, Godfrey Toolit said twenty
two Peace Animators selected were trained
and returned back to their own communities
to continue with the task of promoting har-
monious co-existence in the community.
They hail from the districts of Abim, Kabong
and Kotido.
During the three days training, Toolit added
that the participants were helped by Rev. Fr.
Samuel Lotuk and Mr. Romano Kapel to
have an insight of ho the Bible and the
Social Teaching of the Church is a basis for
peace and peace building.
The trainees were also given skills on con-
flict management and resolution, mediation
and reconciliation processes. It is hoped
that the skills given would help the trainees
transform communities in Karamoja. More
training will be done if the JPC secure
another funding.
Through the participatory approach to the
workshop, participants were able to bring
out their local experiences during group dis-
cussion and plenary presentations. The
training was programmed in such a way that
in the morning hours, participants under
took the theoretical part and conduct sensi-
tizations practical sessions in the afternoon.
During the sensitization sessions which was
done in Kanawat Parish and the the differ-
ent neighborhood of the Parish, the youth,
women and the elders condemned the
atrocities committed by the Jie during cattle
raids and pointed out the several effects of
such raids.
Amongst which include; orphanage, widows
and poor social relations between the Acholi
and Jie, Langi and Jie and other neighbour-
ing ethnic communities. The current famine
in Karamoja is also as a result of poor social
relations as put by one of the elders in
Panyagara Village during the sensitization
session.
MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3 3
Lango Muslims call for
cooperation and unity
The Muslim community in Lango sub-region has said they highly appre-
ciate organization of the Annual peace week by the Catholic Church of
Gulu province.

To redress the negative effect of wars, confront prejudices, amend and

renew relationships among individuals in our regions that have been
drawn apart over the years, Sheik Al Hajji Ibrahim Angiro said several
things have to be seriously considered, ranging from cooperation, unity
, reconciliation and genuine prayer.

Sheik Ibrahim, who is also the District Khadi of Lango said Muslim
community in his distirct thinks that the best way to combat poverty is
to have in place; a dynamic , organized, progressive , self sustaining ,
self sufficient and united in diversity communities. According to him,
this can only be achieved by applying affirmative action where possible.

Ibrahim added that there is no any better way of building peace apart
from eliminating prejudices as a result of wars.

“We should also strengthen relationships among communities and indi-

viduals.” He said Lango Muslim community would encourage peace
talks to continue as one way towards building peace. Lango War Dance: This time, it is meant for peace dance

Pope calls Catholics to

sacrifice during Lent
Pope Benedict XVI has called
on Catholics to enter the period
of conversion through frequent
contact with the Word of God,
more intense prayer and a pen-
itential lifestyle. He was at the
end of February presiding over
Mass at the Church of Saint
Sabina and said “let these be a
stimulus to convert and to love
our brothers and sisters, espe-
cially the poor and needy."
At the same time, Catholic
News Agency reported that the
Pope received ashes from
Cardinal Jozef Tomko, after
which he imposed ashes upon
a number of faithful including
cardinals and bishops.
The tradition of Catholics wear-
ing ashes on their foreheads on
the first day of Lent comes from
the Jewish practice of placing
dirt or ashes on their foreheads
as a sign of repentance.
Likewise, Catholics the world
over begin Lent—a 40 day peri-
od of fasting and penance—
using the same outward
expression of their sorrow and
intention to seek deeper con-
version.
In his homily the Pope high-
lighted that "the call to conver-
sion emerges as the dominant
theme" in the Ash Wednesday
liturgy.
Recalling that the Church is
celebrating the 2,000th
anniversary of St. Paul’s birth,
he pointed out that the Apostle
was "aware of having been
chosen as an example.”
Because of this awareness,
"St. Paul recognized that every-
thing in him was the work of
divine grace, yet he did not for-
get the need to accept freely
the gift of new life received at
Baptism." Pope Benedict XVI calls for penitential lifestyl
4 MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3

Turn to God in a world

lacking hope - Pope
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI made public his mes-
sage for the 24th World Youth Day, which
will be celebrated at the diocesan level this
year. In his message, the Pope calls on
young people to seek out true hope, a firm
and reliable hope rooted in a personal
encounter with Jesus.
passes the whole of reality and Who can
bestow upon us what we, by ourselves,
cannot attain,'" he answers.
Looking at the profound lack of hope in the
modern world, the Holy Father points out
that those societies which ignore God,
experience "a loss of direction" that results
"in loneliness and violence, discontent and
loss of confidence that can often lead to
despair."
This death of hope can only be filled by
God, says Benedict XVI as he repeats
John Paul II's call of for a new evangeliza-
tion.
"To you young people, who are in search
of a firm hope, I address the very words
that St. Paul wrote to the persecuted
Christians in Rome at that time: 'May the
God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
in believing, so that you may abound in
hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.'"
"For Paul, explains Pope Benedict, "hope
is not simply an ideal or sentiment, but a
living person: Jesus Christ, the Son of
God. ... If we are not alone, if He is with us,
even more, if He is our present and our
future, why be afraid?"
The Pope also provides practical advice
on how to encounter Jesus, encouraging
young people to "Make space for prayer in
your lives!"
While praying alone is good, Benedict XVI
grants, "it is even more beautiful and fruit-
ful to pray together, because the Lord
assured us He would be present wherever
two or three are gathered in His name."
The Holy Father's message also empha-
sizes the importance of the role played by
young people in the Church, saying, "The
Church depends on you for this demand-
ing mission. Do not be discouraged by the
difficulties and trials you encounter. Be
patient and persevering so as to overcome
the natural youthful tendency to rush
ahead and to want everything
immediately."
Bringing his words to the youth to a close,
Pope Benedict asks Mary, Mother of Hope
to intercede for young people the world
over.

The theme for the 2009 World Youth Day,

to be held on Palm Sunday, April 5, is: "We
have set our hope on the living God."

Delivering his message on March 4th, he

said, “Youth is a time of hope”. He that it is
a a time when "we cherish ideals, dreams
and plans. Youth is the time when decisive
choices concerning the rest of our lives
come to fruition."

Pope Benedict then goes on to ask,

"where can I obtain and how can I keep
alive the flame of hope burning in my
heart?"

"Experience shows that personal qualities

and material goods are not enough to
guarantee the hope which the human spir-
it is constantly seeking. ... Politics, sci-
ence, technology, economics and all other
material resources are not of themselves
sufficient to provide the great hope to
which we all aspire," the Pope said.

"This hope 'can only be God, Who encom-

YOUTH IN IDP CAMPS: Most of them lacking hope
MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3 5
Mato Oput cemented
West Nile-Acholi
The Chairperson of the Arua Elders Association, Thanked Gulu Archdiocese for inviting them for the Provincial Peace Week as partners
and promoter of Peace, not only in Nofthern Region but the entire Country as a whole.

Avutia Jason said that was not the first time Gulu Archdiocese have invited them to share experiences on issues related to peace.

“You will recall, I have been together with you in Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Arua, Kampala, Fort portal and Juba but only to mention a few, As
examples. The elders participated jointly with their counterparts in the Acholi Sub-Region to Conduct MATO-OPUT at Labworomo TTC on
8th February 1986 which has cemented our relations with our brother and sister in the Acholi Sub-Region to date,” he added.

Avutia continued that on 29th January 1986, the Arua elders gave up their lives for peace when they negotiated for No armed confronta-
tion with NRA/M by our armed sons from the then Uganda Army, marines and Air force.

A resolution, which has resulted in the present peace prevailing in Arua and West Nile as a whole’ So we hope that this 4th provincial
Peace week celebration will effectively avoid wars completely because we would not wish to witness any destruction of properties of our
people again.’

Insecurity can only be fought by speaking the truth, having fear for God and sincere prayers at all times. The gun which we do not make
but some of us love, will never solve our problems” God created people on the Acholi land he created Banyoros, Lugbara, Alur, Madi,
Kakwa and many other tribes for a purpose.’

No any authority can eradicate these tribe on the Uganda map. No regime however powerful it may look is really not strong. Great empires
like Babylonian, Persian, Roman and the Greek which appeared strong have ceased to exist.

“All strong and great leaders we knew are no more. This being the case why do we not follow God’s ways. I wish to assure all of us gath-
ered here that we shall never solve our problems by wars, violence or conflicts” Avutia said.

He said peaceful resolution of conflict is not only cheap but effective and it minimizes poverty, hunger, injuries and many other things.
Once the region is peaceful as it is now we can knowedge to plan the best way forward to minimize povenry, hunger, disease and many
other developments necessary for the good of mankind.

Madi Elders walking to the stage and right is the Lugbara traditional dancers entertaining pilgrims during Peace Week in Gulu
8 MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO 3
Networking for Peace
building and Human Rights
JPCand other members of Northern Uganda Partnership for Human Rights and their host in Nairobi pose for group photo
during a working tour to share experiences from Uganda and Kenya of activities of Human rights and other protection issues.
Networking is the basis of any development
regardless of the area, topic or type of work.
Through exchange we learn, we get new
ideas and frequently also avoid mistakes
that others have already made and there-
fore we should not repeat.
Due to time constraints and work overload
organisations often perceive networking as
an additional activity that is only observed
and carried out if there is time and
resources left and otherwise not on “top of
the list” of the daily tasks. This is very unfor-
tunate since it limits the horizon and the cre-
ativity of the organisation and consequently
has negative impact on their long-term plan-
ning and thinking and on their vision.
Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) was
always active in networking with others.
However, this was frequently taking place
on a rather informal basis in meetings and
discussions with members of different
NGOs. The above mentioned constraints
and limits were also felt in JPC offices and
sometimes it was difficult to keep up the
idea of sharing and exchanging while the
daily work was piling up on the desk.
Kamila Krygier, the JPC Advisor writes
that, since early this year, however, a part of
the networking effort became official when
JPC joined the newly evolving Northern
Uganda Partnership for Human Rights
together with 8 other local NGOs working in
similar areas.
Already many new ideas came up and are
developing into a close cooperation in vari-
ous new projects that will be carried out
jointly to achieve a greater impact for the
people in Northern Uganda and positively
influence the human rights situation in this
region.
As part of this new cooperation everyone
agreed that we could always improve on our
knowledge and skills, which resulted in
some trainings and an exchange visit to
Kenya that took place last month.
The delegation that travelled to Kenya con-
sisted of representatives of 3 organisations,
members of the partnership that are
involved in paralegal training, HURIFO,
GWED-G and JPC. The hosting NGOs in
Kenya were Legal Resource Foundation
(LRF) and Amani Peoples Theatre (APT).
LRF has longstanding experience in training
paralegals. They were a driving force in the
development of the Paralegal Support
Network (PASUNE) in Kenya that presently
consists of more than 20 national and inter-
national NGOs.
It was very encouraging and inspiring for us,
who are just at the beginning of the long
journey towards a strong and independent
paralegal network, to see how organisations
in a neighbouring country managed to over-
come similar challenges and establish
PASUNE.
The idea in Kenya is that paralegals should
become independent from the NGOs, which
trained them.
Turn to page 10
MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3
Acholi King colaborating
with JPC to build peace
The Paramount Chief of the Acholi David Onen
Achana II has said Peace week was held during
a critical moment when there is peace in Northern
Uganda, but there is no peace in the community
in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and
South Sudan, because the source of insecurity
has now shifted out of our region.
He said this has made us restless, but it should
not make us relax, lose hope, or direction while
working for peace in our region. “I am aware of
the tremendous roles the cultural and religious
leaders have played to bring peace in this region
and Uganda as a whole since the emergence of
insecurity in the country. We the cultural and reli-
gious leaders have been in the Centre of the
peace talk in Juba, and we still have a crucial role
to play in as far as community peace and recon-
ciliation is concern despite the collapse of the
Juba Peace Talks,” he Onen Achana added.
Justice and Peace Commission has been colab-
orating in several ways in the peace building
process. One of the major one has been Uganda-
Sudan Cross Border Peace Building apart from
being a bridge between the Lord Resistance
Army rebels and the Uganda government as a
way of initiative dialogue.
Onen Cana II said cultural leaders must work for
the preservation of our community whom we
inherit from our forefathers, they are Rwodi
because of people, so they must work tirelessly
to see that the life of our people is not threatened
in any way, whether through war or hunger. “We
definitely cannot do this alone, we therefore,
have to work with all stakeholders to achieve
this,” he said.
In his peech read by the Prime Minister Kenneth
Oketa, Onen Achana said it should be noted that
to achieve peace and reconciliation in Northern
Uganda, we should pass one message, as
Acholi, but not fragmented messages as Rwodis,
Religious leaders, MPs, LCs or RDCs, Acholi in
Diaspora and so on. This will not make us
achieve our objective.
The people and the country or the world wants to
here what the Acholi are saying not what the var-
ious leadership structures or individuals of Acholi
are saying. As far as the LRA war is concern, we
the cultural leaders have a lot of information and
contacts but we just don’t disseminate it to show
that we are in the know, but, we use it to coordi-
nate other efforts to bring peace in our area. “I
therefore, request other leaders to do likewise,
because what is destroying Acholi is passing
wrong, or irrelevant information that cause con-
fusing and spread conflict instead of resolving it,”
he added.
He also advised that we should also know when
to pass information or make pronouncement on
information we have, for example now that there
is military operation in Congo and Sudan, aftet
the failed peace talks, we should be careful in
whatever statement we make as Acholi, because
we may be mistaken by other stakeholders.
9
Now that fighting in taking place in Sudan and private investors or the local communities, it has
Congo, why should we speculate that we Acholi to come, because it is demanded by the society.
are the one suffering, and yet there is no fighting
in Uganda at the moment, and therefore start by So even if we are not supporting Madhvani Sugar
condemning the allied forces, whose citizens are Project, there will always be other development
being killed by the LRA. In the event that the LRA that requires land. But we should not just oppose
returns to Uganda, it is not a must that they the project for the sake, but weigh all the pros and
should return to Acholi, they may enter Uganda, cons and come out with a decision which benefit
and Uganda government will have to take Acholi as a whole while putting the future of our
responsibility, but at the moment they are not in children in this modern time foremost. So it
Uganda. So, the statement we make on peace should not be individuals to reject investments or
and reconciliation can have negative effects on projects, but Acholi as people, because Acholi
other stakeholders including government. want development and to benefit from economic
growth, which is engineered by investors. Now
He also said the Rwodi have been working with there is oil in Amuru, as Acholi we should start
the Rwodi of South Sudan to reconcile the two discussing how we can work with other stake-
communities, “because before we started sharing holder to exploit it for the benefits of our people.
information with the Sudanese Chiefs on the LRA So we must prepare to address land conflict in a
war they had a strong believe that it is the Acholi mature and developmental manner.
who are killing them and they extended their
wrath to all Acholis, including the Acholi of The issue of land conflict between Acholi and
Sudan.” But for the last four years we have been Jonam, and the Acholi and Madi, or Pabbo and
having exchange visits and they now under- Lamogi and other individual conflicts will always
stand.” arise but we should not allow them to escalate by
making it sensational to the community to the
It is therefore very important that we leaders work extent that it retards development and cause ten-
as a team with one voice on this question of sions and occasionally loss of live.
peace in Northern Uganda. Another evil we
should desist from is the blame game. We should He added that, “We in Ker Kwaro have been
organize and build capabilities where it is lacking working hard to harmonize to reduce conflict, we
instead of blaming every stakeholder on this have also produce customary land by laws which
peace issues. Many times we waste a lot of time we are circulating to the communities for consid-
blaming one another or various institutions, and eration. The ultimate point here is that we must
yet we do not offer any solution. We should look work as a team and address issue not according
for solutions to this problem, rather than blaming. to our individual or orgatization interest, but in the
interest of the community with proper guidance
“Me I have interacted with Kony and the LRA, and leadership.”
The government of Uganda, The
Government of Sudan, UN system,
ICC, President Chissano, among oth-
ers, on the issue of peace in Northern
Uganda, and that is why I am very
careful with the statement I make,
and I don’t blame any body instead I
coordinate efforts.”
Onen Achana advised that as leaders
therefore, we need to put our heads
and hearts together in this quest for
peace. We should also not bother
about measuring our efforts, on who
has done how much, or who is now
doing a lot as this will not take us any-
where. Peace is a collective effort,
backed with blessing from God.
As we work towards peace in
Northern Uganda we should be
aware also that other form of conflicts
are emerging in Acholi, and we must
address them. The most serious one,
which may even, be more than the
LRA is Land conflicts.
Development is coming and as such
it comes with demand for land and
we must be careful the way we
address them as leaders. We should
know that we are not going to stop
development, be it by government, David Onen Cana II, Paramount Chief of Acholi
10 MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3

Peace Begins With You

Ooh people of Northern Uganda,
It's not all about singing and talking about
peace in our dreams only.
It's all about fair treatment to the
young ones
It's all about caring for the elderly,
needy and orphans
Let's not think the peace talk of LRA only
But also humanity, togetherness and
forecast
Let us believe that every problem has its
own solution.
As the young generation, we wouldn't wish to
see our brothers and sisters die
helplessly in the bush.
Please! We ask the government of Uganda and
other international bodies to look
deeper in to peace building process,
which does not call for any military
methods
ever lasting peace.
Let the young ones know and live a
peaceful life if,
our culture must live on well
Reconciliation should be our best memory of
the wars.
Parents let peace prevail in you first,
let education take part of your
children's lives
Hopping for the fruits of foil abounds,
life is what we make but it never makes us.
We shouldn't get exhausted at the last steps
of hope,
listening to our religious, political and cultural
leaders should make a difference
Let's work for justice if we want peace,
put lives of
other humans to be as vital as yours
Let us take violence as the worst visitor,
for we don't yearn for more.

Our sisters, brothers and parents were never Christians and all children of God,
interested in living such miserable and tricky lets build a temple of peace within
lives ourselves then we shall have an
ever-lasting peace.
To have a peaceful environment is our
own aim now. Okema James Okullu
PEACE CLUB/HEAD PREFECT
Let us wait for, if the slow process POPE PAUL VI S.S ANAKA
will bring us to

Networking and its benefits

From Page 8
Some groups of paralegals register as
CBOs and subsequently carry out their own
fundraisning. PASUNE is there to provide
training, give advice and educational as well
as legal services.
Through a jointly developed curriculum,
handbook and training manual a harmo-
nized training for paralegals across the
country has been achieved. Apart from the
community work paralegals in Kenya are
also very active in prisons where they pro-
vide assistance, training and information to
remand prisoners, who would be otherwise
left without any legal support.
The open door policy in Kenya enabled the
prisons, on a voluntary basis, to give para-
legals access to prisoners and allow them
to establish offices in prison buildings. Apart
from civilians also several prison officers
are being trained as paralegals.
One of the methods used by the paralegals
in their prison and community work is par-
ticipatory theatre. This very effective and
innovative method is propagated and
trained by Amani Peoples Theatre (APT),
our other host organisation during the
Kenya visit. It is a very effective method to
solve conflicts in communities and support
people in developing own and creative solu-
tions for their problems.
As APT points out the method is rooted in
traditional African models of communica-
tion. Apart from only initiating a problem
solving process or providing solutions the
method rather allows people in the commu-
nities to sustain a dialogue on key issues
affecting their daily lives.
Through this visit the Ugandan partner
organisations realised how important
exchange and networking is – not only local
but also with neighbouring countries in the
region. Apart from new and creative ideas,
inspiration and encouragement that the
challenges we are facing too can be over-
come, we found new friends and partners.
We hope the newly established contacts will
continue and possibly develop into a closer
cooperation. As stated by John Donne, a
poet of the 16th century, “no man is an
island, entire of itself; every man is a piece
of a continent”. The same applies to organ-
isations.

Onono counsels
MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3
Pilgrims on poverty
The Rt. Rev. Nelson Onono-Onweng has
stated that nobody is doomed to poverty
and never to experience joy. He was giving
a key note address on how to fight poverty
as a means of building peace.”
Onono, who is the bishop of Northern
Uganda Diocese was speaking during the
Peace Week celebration. He said it is wrong
and totally unacceptable to live here on
earth as if we were already in heaven. We
must face the realities of this world.
He disclosed that in every three second, a
child is dying because of poverty and
hunger. Besides, the world is full of mes-
sages. “If you cling to the past messages
and the past is ruling you, it is dangerous. In
the present global village, there are rapid
changes, flowing with messages. Make
effort to get the right information to combat
poverty.”
The bishop said One of the most effective
ways to fight poverty is to help people know
how to read time. The word of God says
“There is a time for everything and a season
for every activity under heaven (Ecc. 3.1).
Unless people learn to be orderly, in man-
aging time it becomes a big challenge to
fight poverty.
He advised people to know when to act and
when the time is ripe, we should engage
poverty. With determination and courage,
you will succeed, for you have the power of
knowing how the word of God, and, people
are perishing because of lack of knowledge.
People are also poor because of lack of
awareness.
A genuine and viable community should be
aware of what is happening elsewhere and
also what is affecting their lives. Poeple
should not fail to cope up with the difficult
situation as if they are doomed to poverty
and suffering. The poor should learn to work
together productively. Very often, the poor
are manipulated and exploited because
they are alienated and disorganized. This
makes them powerless and they remain
perpetually poor.
Onono Urged leaders to work with the poor
to enhance their re-discovery of their
resourcefulness. The world has resources
and the know-how. But Millions of people in
Uganda are trapped in hopeless poverty.
He said the church leaders should face the
Bishop Onono-Onweng of CoU
challenge of speaking and preaching the
word with strength. There is always weak-
ness because of identifying with failures
and tribulations for once they get lodged in
you, you get discouraged and, eventually
give up. But if you put faith to action, you do
extra ordinary things.
It is therefore important for you to identify
with the word of God. To cite a few leaders
in the Bible will encourage you in your lead-
ership. Joseph was able to foresee the
problem of the land having no food so with
the political leaders, they planned and pre-
pared for the difficult future. Nehemiah was
able to draw community together to take
appropriate action to change their disgrace-
ful situation. Amos called upon political
leaders to repent because of injustice and
corruption. John the Baptist rebuked Herod
for committing adultery with his brother’s
wife and the other evil things he did.
Therefore, with God, everything is possible.
“This gives me the confidence to say that
we are all capable of combating poverty” he
said and proposed that, The doors of all pri-
mary schools for adult functional literacy
should be opened. It will provide mass edu-
cation which will enhance the whole range
of development activities designed to
improve better living conditions, health and
economy of the people.
Onono however, challeneged teachers to
be willing to teach the adult classes in the
evening and at the weekend. The local
11
community should also get interested to go
to school. Women should be empowered by
lifting some of the burden which makes their
backs bend over. At family level, there
should be a spirit of equal participation,
where possible should go beyond cultural
division of labour.
Children should be brought up with a firm
equal participation in the family work. He
quoted Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo as
one time saying that whatever you do, do it
knowing that you will live for a thousand
years. Therefore do it to perfection.
This should help us to get rid of our stereo-
type attitude that we are poor and nothing
can be done about it. We should develop
the spirit to be mentored by someone.
Learn from your mentor to do better.
He noted also that eradication of hunger
should be the first step for rural community
to fight poverty. Trying to produce every
crop single handed is unproductive. It is
therefore crucial to fall back to the cultural
effort of communal work. It increases pro-
duction. Note that it has been found out
through many studies that increase in agri-
cultural production has much impact on
reducing poverty.
He gave four ways of ensuring food securi-
ty. The availability of food, access to food,
quantity and nutritional value of food and
stability in provision of food.
He reminded the pilgrims that the first temp-
tation of Jesus Christ was about food, and
also a hungry person is violent. The first
Millennium Development Goal ([MDG) is to
eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
Peace, he siad, does not come on a clean
plate. It is expensive. “Let it be your obliga-
tion to live in good relationship. WaIk in the
light and have the spirit of belonging where
you have one heart and one mind. I must
also tell you that forgiveness is a blessing.
Forgive one another.”
He left the pilgrims with the ward of advise
that the world is full of tribulation and evils.
But in christ, we are victorious. Move on and
start laying foundation for your financial
infrastructure. Talking and talking will not
change your poverty situation. Be persistent
and consistent in your move to get money.
AIso as the Bible says, if it depends on you
live in peace with one another.
12 MARCH 2009, VOL. 9 - NO.3

JPC capacity building to

improve community services
The National Catholic
Commission for Justice and
Peace (JPC), which encom-
passes the JPC’s on dioce-
san level, started a project
with the aim of developing
the capacities of various
Justice and Peace
Commissions in Uganda.

Kamila Krygier Justice and

Peace Commission’s Advisor
writes that the JPC Gulu is
participating in a series of
trainings together with JPC
Soroti.

The idea is to strengthen the

capacities of church struc-
tures in order for them to be
able to better serve the com-
munities, which especially in
the North need substantial
support after the long years
of conflict.

The transitional phase from

conflict to peace is in most
cases a difficult one.
Displaced people return
home after many years, facil-
ities and infrastructure are
missing, social structures
and values that were holding
ethnic groups and families
together are frequently
severely damaged.
For years JPC’ s of the North
were providing support by fill-
ing the gaps created through
the conflict. Since the servic-
es delivered depend on the
resources, knowledge and
skills of the organizations
themselves the National
Catholic Commission for
Justice and Peace assigned
the Community Development
Resource Network (CDRN)
to design and carry out train-
ings and workshops in some
crucial areas.
Since the trainings are
organized for several JPC’s
together the project has an
additional value of strength-
ening the links between the
various Catholic Church
institutions. By sharing our
experiences and lessons
learnt we can continue
JPC Staff have been participating in TOT training to effectively facilitate the above kind of traing
improving for the benefit of mainstreaming only about
the people in our regions. supporting and uplifting
women?
The first phase of the training
project included an organiza- Due to the good quality of the
tional self-assessment, fol- training most of the open
lowed by a training on questions were discussed
Planning, Monitoring and and answered. It was
Evaluation (PME). explained that the term
Gender Mainstreaming was
Further topics will include chosen exactly to emphasize
Advocacy and Lobbying, that this topic is not about
HIV/AIDS and IEC material women only. The aim is to
production. By the end of reach equality in the society
February, a training on and uplift whichever group is
Gender Mainstreaming was marginalized or oppressed.
carried out in Lira. The
emphasis lay on the organi- Since the group was mixed
zations – how to ensure an in terms of gender, culture
equal participation of all gen- and age, we could identify
ders in all phases of the proj- many positive changes and
ect and in the everyday developments over time in
work? different places. But we also
realized that there is still a
During the workshop several long way to go to achieve
important issues came up. real equality.
How can the feelings of
some men be tackled of Gender Mainstreaming is of
being recently more and course a difficult subject for
more excluded in develop- catholic organizations but it
ment projects? Are those was great to see how open
feelings justified? Is gender everyone was to discuss the
problematic and complex issues. Any
structure and institution that wants to
develop has to embrace challenges and
criticism and seriously confront itself
with diverging points of view.
The question, which role women are
supposed to play in the church in future
is still open and the views on that issue
differ.
However, regardless of the topic, gen-
der, culture, age or point of view, the
modern people of this world need good
answers for their questions and good
arguments to be convinced. We can all
think for ourselves, and this is he most
important conclusion of the last work-
shop with CDRN and JPC Soroti.
OUR ADDRESSES
Justice and Pecae Commission
Gulu Archdiocese
P.O. Box 200
GULU - UGANDA
Tel: +256-(0) 471-435 951
justice.peace.commission@gmail.
com