The conflict mapping for the Rwenzori region in 2020 was a prelude to the launch of the Networks for Peace Project that heralded the prevention and resolution of conflicts through early warning mechanisms in Africa, focusing on the Basongora and Batuku Minority Communities in Rwenzori Sub-region of Uganda.
So, three years in a row (2020, 2021 and 2022), KRC Uganda in partnership with Minority Rights Group International, with financial support from UKAID has been conducting annual situational reviews of conflicts in region with particular interest in Kasese District where the minority Basongora pastoral community co-exists alongside other larger ethnic groups, mainly the Bakonzo who are predominantly
crop farmers. From the past to present, the two ethnic groups have coexisted with interethnic conflicts over resources, governance issues and cultural differences.
The Networks for Peace Project which builds on prior conflict prevention and peace building initiatives by KRC and stakeholders in the region is now focusing of building and strengthening conflict early warning mechanisms to pacify a region that is historically prone to conflicts. The review of the conflict situation of 2021 was conducted among the Basongora pastoral community, in the Sub Counties of Nyakatonzi, Katwe Kabatooro, Lake Katwe, Muhokya, Karusandara and Hima Town Council, Kasese District. The objectives of the mapping were to identify the conflict triggers in the area and their respective indicators, the existing early warning mechanisms and the challenges encountered in addressing the conflict
contexts.
Following the 2021 review, interventions were undertaken by KRC Uganda working with and through selected community volunteers, known as Peace Ambassadors. As part of the monitoring and evaluation
in implementation of the project, KRC thought it imperative to conduct a review of the conflict context. The nature of the review and the compilation of this report is informed by the conflict issues that were identified in the first conflict mapping namely: UWA Community issues, Inter-ethnic issues, Intraethnic issues, domestic/interpersonal conflicts, land and political issues. It also gives recommendations for the respective stakeholders.
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