Creations Forum Afrika held a data validation meeting to discuss the findings of a research study conducted to assess the conflict situation in the Rwenzori subregion.

Senior civil and political leaders from the Community Based Services Department, women, and youth councils, and the office of the president of the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, and Ntoroko attended the meeting.

With support from the USAID-funded Ugandans For Peace Activity, CAF embarked on research to assess the conflict situation in the Rwenzori region, identifying conflict hotspots and the triggers of violence; Identifying and profile the historical issues of contestation in the violence-prone areas; Evaluate the success or failure of the previous conflict resolution mechanisms if any, draw lessons to inform the new planned interventions; and, To evaluate the extent to which violence influences the election outcomes in conflict-prone areas. 

According to the research consultant Mr Narcisio Bangirana, the region has vast potential for further conflict, especially as the country heads towards the next general election scheduled for early 2026. The research also identified a series of causes and triggers of conflict, which, if not addressed, could lead to more violence during the forthcoming election.

“The research highlights several issues that are potential for conflict and some of them include the mismanagement of elections, monetization of elections, sharp ethnopolitical divisions, lack of civic education, and the involvement of the state apparatus especially the security forces in partisan politics.” Mr Bangirana.

The draft report also highlighted unresolved historical conflicts as one of the major causes of violence in the Rwenzori region, which largely manifests during the election. It emphasized the critical need for concerted efforts to address any unresolved historical issues.

Mr Hasheem Mwesige Bikopo, the Assistant RDC Ntoroko noted that CAF needs to ensure that the rest of the country can use the research findings to foster peace.

“I want to thank CAF and the consultant for the research conducted. However, the critical issue is how the findings of this research will feed into the actions of other partners including the government. What will be done to ensure we derive some solutions from this research?” Mr Mwesige questioned.

Mr Robert Kamuntu Nuwamanya, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner Bunyangabu, noted that conflicts need to be considered from a broader perspective without necessarily focusing only on election-related violence.

The meeting was attended by:

• 04 Chairpersons of Women Councils Bundibugyo, Kasese, Bunyangabu and Ntoroko districts
• 04 Youth council chairpersons for the Bundibugyo, Kasese, Bunyangabu, and Ntoroko districts
• 03 Assistant RDCs of Kasese, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo districts
• 01 Deputy RDC for Bunyangabu district
• 03 SCDOs of Bunyangabu, Bundibugyo & Kasese districts
• 01 Principal CDO Ntoroko district  
• 01 District Information Officer Kasese district

Their input will be fundamental in informing the final report of the Rwenzori region conflict situation analysis.

The Uganda for Peace Activity is a collaborative effort of five Partners including the Women’s International Peace Centre (WIPC) the Prime partner, Creations Forum Afrika (CAF), Kabarole Resource and Research Centre (KRC), Warrior Squad Foundation (WSF), and the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (AIPG). The activity aims at Preventing, Mitigating, and Responding to Political Violence in order to build Social Cohesion and Promote Peace in Uganda.

This is made possible with support from the American People through USAID.