By Solomon Okoo
Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has credited Rotary International and its peace fellows for ensuring peace in Africa.
This was during his inaugural remark at the cohort two public presentations on Social Change Initiatives as a vehicle for Peace Building and Development in Africa on October 20 at the College of Engineering, Design Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University.
Nawangwe implored the need for individual participation in ensuring peace in their communities.
“Peace is not about war or absence of war. Almost every war begins in the mind of one person. It therefore means that the peace fellows can play a big role in ensuring peace in our communities. They can work on the minds of men and women so they can stay at peace with themselves,” he said.
Nawangwe also lauded the Rotary for the work they do in Uganda and the District governors for the work they do and the peace center leaders for making sure that the Peace Center run successfully.
Prof. Sylvia Antonnia Nakimera, who is the board member Makerere University Peace Center, acknowledged the Vice chancellor for supporting the Rotary.
“You have supported us from the beginning and your presence here despite all the programs you have, is indeed honored.”
Prof Nakimera added: We are pleased that we are increasing the number of peace ambassadors not only in Uganda but the rest of the world because our ambassadors come from all parts of the world. Noah Ssempijja, Mak-RPC Cohort ii Peace fellow, while expounding on how his project of “Refugees and Natural Resources” impacted his community, asked the government and other Non-governmental Organizations to always incorporate refugees’ aids in their plan.
It should be recalled that during the first Capstone conference that focused on peace building, youth and women empowerment, disability inclusion and media, peace fellows implemented 15 community initiatives in 10 African countries.
The second cohort, however, brings a number of peace fellows from different countries to further divulge how the initiative is impacting African continent and the globe at large.
The Makerere University Rotary Peace Center is among the seven Rotary Peace Centers worldwide that offer studies on peace-building, conflict transformation, and development, hosted by Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies program (PCS) under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).
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