By Edward Eninu
The Justice and Peace Department of Kotido Catholic Diocese (JPD-K) is hosting its annual Memorial Peace Prayer in Kanair, Kotido District, commemorating two years since the inception of its peacebuilding initiatives in North Karamoja.
The event bringing together communities to celebrate the current relative peace, renew commitments to strengthen it, and promote forgiveness and reconciliation, among other things.
This year’s prayer focuses on three key themes: cherishing the current relative peace, renewing commitment to strengthen it, and promoting forgiveness and reconciliation among the communities of North Karamoja.
Among the key speakers of the day include the JPD-K Coordinator, Fr. Lobeerei, the Brigade Commander, the Vicar of Kotido Catholic Diocese, and the RDC.
The JPD-K’s journey in peacebuilding began in early 2023 when the “Karachunas” (disarmed youth) approached the department seeking support to persuade fellow warriors to cease raiding and return from the bush.
This led to the first dialogue in Kanair in June 2023, a pivotal moment now recognized by both the Karachunas and the JPD-K as the starting point of their collaborative efforts to restore peace and stability in the Diocese.
Since that initial gathering, the JPD-K has facilitated over 200 dialogues across North Karamoja, fostering crucial conversations and building trust within communities.
The Memorial Peace Prayer serves as an annual tribute to these efforts and the significant progress achieved in partnership with the Karachunas, the Government, and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
