On December 5, 2024, the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), concluded its three-day Youth Leadership Training Programme with a cross-generational dialogue on peace and security. This dynamic gathering, held in the serene gardens of Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre at Makerere University, brought together student leaders and alumni from various universities to exchange insights with seasoned experts and practitioners.

The “Ekyooto” Experience: Bridging Generations

The event, modeled after the traditional “Ekyooto” fireside gathering, facilitated open conversations between youth and experienced leaders. Discussions tackled peacebuilding, conflict resolution, gender, and regional politics. Participants explored innovative solutions to local and global peace and security challenges, enriched by intergenerational wisdom.

Leadership Perspectives      

Dr. Nansozi Muwanga, JNLC Executive Director, emphasised the dialogue’s purpose: bridging young and experienced voices to provide a holistic view of peace and security challenges. She lauded participants’ enthusiasm and highlighted their potential to translate lessons into actionable solutions for their communities.

Ms. Angella Kasekende of KAS highlighted the transformative nature of cross-generational conversations, sharing how similar dialogues had shaped her leadership journey. She stressed the value of interactive learning over information-heavy training, enabling participants to directly engage with experts.

Insights from Prof. Julius Kiiza

Prof. Julius Kiiza, a political science and political economy expert, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on Servant Leadership, Pan-Africanism, and Peacebuilding in the Great Lakes Region. Addressing the question Whose Security Counts?, he argued that true peace extends beyond the absence of war to encompass human, economic, and cyber security. He urged leaders to prioritize citizens’ welfare, economic opportunities, and meritocracy, framing these within the broader concept of Staatsbildung (state-building).

Key Themes and Reflections

• Human-Centered Security: Addressing unemployment, access to resources, and functioning institutions as prerequisites for genuine peace.
• Meritocracy and Good Governance: Advocating for competence-based leadership to drive national progress.
• Pan-African Aspirations: Exploring the potential for African unity, inspired by historical state-building models.

Cross-Generational Panel Explores Root Causes of Conflict

Moderated by Prof. Julius Kiiza, a distinguished panel at the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre included Prof. Philip Kasaija, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Ms. Joanna Grace Nakabiito, and Ms. Nashiba Nakabira. They addressed the root causes of conflict and strategies for peacebuilding, drawing insights from academia, policy, and practice to address the root causes of conflict, identity-related disputes, and the roles of youth and women in peacebuilding.

Root Causes of Conflict

The panelists identified marginalisation, greed, colonial legacies, and identity-based disputes tied to religion, ethnicity, or politics as key conflict drivers. To understand identity-based conflicts, participants were asked, “What non-negotiable rights are you ready to fight for?”

Prof. Nkabala urged a shift from a “hardware” focus on peace (guns and uniforms) to human security, emphasizing livelihoods, governance, and distinguishing positive peace from mere absence of conflict. She also highlighted the media’s dual role in fueling or resolving disputes, stressing the importance of trauma-informed peacebuilding and responsible journalism.

Prof. Kasaija categorised conflicts using the “conflict tree” framework, noting interconnections among colonialism, resource greed, and constructed identities. He highlighted the evolution of security from state-centered to human-focused, emphasizing individual well-being as a pillar of stability.

Ms. Nakabiito addressed the complexity of identity conflicts, which are deeply tied to self-concept and collective identity. She stressed the need to address marginalisation and dismantle media narratives that portray such disputes as irrational.

Tackling Conflict and Building Peace

Panelists agreed on the need for inclusive, multi-dimensional approaches to address the root causes of conflict. They emphasized leadership, collaboration, and proactive engagement by youth and women as essential for fostering sustainable peace. The discussion offered participants practical frameworks and insights to address challenges, inspiring them to drive transformative change in their communities.

Key Takeaways from Panelists:

Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala

• Advocated for a human-centric approach to peace and security, highlighting livelihoods, human rights, and the distinction between positive and negative peace.
• Stressed governance and representation as essential pillars for societal harmony.
• Emphasized the responsibility of the media in fostering peace, warning against dehumanizing language and sensationalism that escalate conflicts.
• Advocated for trauma-informed peacebuilding, urging the need to address unresolved trauma as a foundation for sustainable peace.
• Encouraged proactive youth and women’s leadership, suggesting readiness to act even with partial preparedness.

Associate Prof. Philip Kasaija

• Introduced the “conflict tree” framework, linking conflicts to colonial legacies, marginalization, greed, and constructed identities.
• Traced the evolution of security definitions from state-centric to human-centric approaches, emphasizing individual well-being as the ultimate security goal.
• Highlighted resource greed and grievances as intertwined conflict drivers, with examples from the DRC and Darfur.
• Addressed latent regional conflicts (e.g., border disputes) and urged comprehensive, inclusive conflict-resolution strategies.

Ms. Joanna Grace Nakabiito

• Examined identity-related conflicts, emphasizing their roots in self-concept tied to ethnicity, religion, or political ideology.
• Distinguished between necessary (group identity) and sufficient (marginalization) conditions fueling identity conflicts.
• Called for meaningful youth inclusion in peacebuilding, moving beyond token representation.
• Advocated for better coordination among youth empowerment initiatives to align with global and regional frameworks.

Ms. Nashiba Nakabira

• Highlighted the link between strong national institutions and regional integration, using South Sudan’s struggles as an example.
• Criticized barriers to intra-African movement and reliance on foreign donations, urging domestic resource mobilization.
• Addressed the gender disparities in peace processes, emphasizing the need for women’s capacity building in negotiation and diplomacy.

Mr. Robert Muhangi

• Urged youth to advocate for national peace and security action plans, ensuring resource allocation for youth training.
• Encouraged grassroots mobilization of small youth groups to engage in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
• Highlighted the importance of integrating peace initiatives at the community level for broader impact.

Ms. Falade Olutoyin

• Questioned the persistence of patriarchy, advocating for gender equality as a pathway to women’s leadership and decision-making roles.
• Linked corruption to women’s marginalization, particularly in conflict zones, stressing the need to address governance flaws to enable women’s empowerment.

Core Recommendations:

• Address the Root Causes of Conflict: Focus on marginalization, resource greed, and identity-based grievances.
• Promote Human-Centric Security: Broaden definitions of security to encompass individual livelihoods and well-being.
• Empower Youth and Women: Foster meaningful participation in peace processes, ensuring capacity-building and leadership opportunities.
• Strengthen Institutions for Integration: Build robust national frameworks to facilitate effective regional collaboration.
• Leverage Media for Peace: Promote peace narratives and train journalists in peace reporting to prevent conflict escalation.
• Combat Corruption: Redirect resources from corrupt practices to inclusive governance and women’s empowerment.

This panel underscored the complexity of conflicts in Africa and the importance of a multi-faceted, inclusive approach to peacebuilding and governance. The discussion laid a foundation for actionable strategies to empower marginalized groups, harmonize initiatives, and foster a culture of sustainable peace. Here’s a summary of key insights and recommendations:

Key Issues Highlighted

Identity-Based Conflicts:

• Rooted in self-concept based on ethnicity, religion, or ideology.
• Often exacerbated by systemic marginalization and colonial legacies, as exemplified by the Tutsi-Hutu conflict.
• Requires addressing underlying marginalization to prevent escalation.

Youth and Women’s Participation:

• Youth face systemic barriers limiting their decision-making roles.
• Women are disproportionately affected by conflicts and underrepresented in peace processes.
• The intersectionality of age and gender adds layers of vulnerability, particularly for young women.

Structural Barriers:

• Weak national institutions hinder regional integration efforts.
• Fragmented initiatives lack coordination, undermining peacebuilding programs.
• Patriarchy restricts women’s roles in leadership and peacebuilding.

Abuse of Power in Professional Spaces:

• Women face exploitation and harassment in leadership contexts.
• Cultural and systemic issues discourage victims from seeking justice.

Corruption:

• Deepens economic inequalities, disproportionately affecting women in conflict zones.
• Diverts resources that could empower women and youth in leadership.

Educational Disparities:

• Women face additional challenges accessing quality education in conflict regions.
• Lack of networks and support makes it difficult for women to sustain leadership roles.

Recommendations and Insights

Enhancing Youth Engagement:

• Adopt and implement national action plans for youth inclusion in peace and security.
• Equip youth with skills through training programs like those led by the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre.

Promoting Women’s Leadership:

• Increase investment in women’s capacity-building for preventive diplomacy and peace negotiations.
• Address systemic barriers to education and leadership, ensuring equitable resource allocation.

Strengthening Institutions:

• Build robust national frameworks to support regional integration and peace initiatives.
• Mobilize domestic resources to reduce reliance on foreign aid.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment:

• Establish policies and support systems to protect women in professional and leadership spaces.
• Create safe avenues for victims to report abuses without fear of retaliation.

Building Networks and Coalitions:

• Foster coordination among peacebuilding initiatives to align with global frameworks.
• Encourage collective advocacy by women and youth to amplify their voices.

Continuous Learning and Advocacy:

• Encourage participants to stay informed about global and regional conflicts.
• Promote proactive steps toward leadership, utilizing knowledge gained from training sessions.

Looking Ahead

This transformative programme serves as a reminder that peacebuilding is a collective endeavor, requiring bold ideas, cross-generational collaboration, and unwavering commitment. The training and dialogue fostered a shared commitment to tackling peace and security challenges. As future leaders, participants were equipped with tools, perspectives, and networks to drive transformative change across Uganda and Africa.

Closing Remarks

The collaborative efforts of organisations like Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Makerere University Rotary Peace Centre, and Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre highlight the value of mentorship and training. As emphasized by facilitators, this initiative is not only about expanding knowledge but also about equipping young leaders with tools to foster meaningful change. Furthermore, the cross-generational dialogue underscored the need for collective action, deliberate policy-making, and active participation to achieve sustainable peace and security in Africa.