Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Mrs Bukombi in her opening remarks ‘Peace Begins with us’ said Mrs Goretti Bukombi, the Chairperson of Creators of Peace (CoP), Uganda in her opening remarks at the workshop in Kampala on November 18, 2013. She emphasized that peace must start within each individual and that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace and the source of peace for Christians. Guard your thoughts and your words so that your actions produced from good thoughts and words are also good.’

In her opening remarks Ms Dorothy Tingu, East Africa Initiatives of Change Coordinator, welcomed CoP Uganda members. She informed the participants that CoP was one of the programmes under the greater portfolio of programmes conducted by IofC Uganda  - others being Farmers’ Dialogue, Teachers’ Dialogue, School Outreach Program and Springs of Hope programme targeting the youth.Group discussions during the workshop (Photo: Unknown)

In the workshop, group discussions were held on the following themes: what is peace, how can we be more peaceful as individuals and strategies for building more peaceful communities. Participants agreed that peace is being in a free world, being free emotionally, spiritually, economically, socially, politically and having respect for oneself and for others. In the words of Mrs Bukombi ‘peace is not something we sit down and pray for. It is a fruit of doing the right thing.’Group discussions during the workshop

Other discussions centred on the fact that when we all decide to be change agents who do the right thing instead of focusing on who is right, we create the space for peace to flourish in our hearts, homes and communities. Rachel Ajambo, the National Coordinator for CoP in Uganda said that ‘a change agent must have the mindset of change’ in order to successfully build and maintain peace. 

Mrs Bukombi shared her story. She said, ‘In the past when something went wrong I blamed everyone around me and I used to think everyone and everything was against me until I joined MRA (now Initiatives of Change) and heard that change begins with myself then spreads to others.  It totally changed my life for the better.’ A total of 20 women and 1 man who recently attended the Peace Building half-day workshop of Women Creators of Peace in Uganda Held At YWCA offices in Kampala On 18th November 2013.

Participants agreed that to be peacemakers in our various communities, each of us needs to make a concerted effort to be exemplary in our families, jobs and communities; respect each other and encourage reconciliation in times of conflict; exercise forgiveness; understand oneself; relate to God; love and understand others and accommodate their points of view – this is critical to the successful building of peaceful communities.

In conclusion, each participant was challenged to be more compassionate, be good listeners, and cultivate inner peace by taking time in quiet to search for God's wisdom and guidance.

Mrs Ruth Okwele, a committed CoP member, in her closing remarks urged participants to practice the truths they had heard during the workshop.

We wish to acknowledge and thank Friends of Africa for the financial support for IofC Uganda activities including this workshop and to CoP Uganda members for their contributions.