September 09, 2025 – In Uganda’s Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, the weight of history is everywhere. Families from warring tribes – once divided by generations of conflict – now live side by side, sharing schools, markets, and water points under the umbrella of community. For many, seeing former enemies as neighbors is not easy. It means confronting inherited trauma while finding ways to coexist in the present. Generations of conflict converge here, carried in memories, stories, and scars. Seeing one another as neighbors rather than enemies is not simple; it is a daily act of courage. Recognizing this reality, WPDI has been active in Kiryandongo since 2017, building programs that bridge divides and strengthen the community.
This summer, WPDI concluded a three-month course on peace education and human rights at the Community Learning Center, where more than 100 young people from both the refugee settlement and host community received hands-on training in mediation, conflict resolution, and leadership. Equipped with these skills, they return to their families, neighborhoods, and schools as grassroots peace ambassadors, leading advocacy campaigns and sparking transformative dialogues.
For Hana Abdarhman Adam Mohamed, a young Sudanese refugee, the impact was
transformative. “The conflict resolution and human rights training empowered me with skills to mitigate and resolve conflicts,” she shared. “As a young Sudanese woman, this knowledge is new and valuable, reshaping my views on human rights, culture, and respect.”
Her words were echoed by Lawoko Fred, from the host community of Bweyale Central Ward. “This was my first formal training in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and I’m grateful to WPDI for the opportunity. I gained valuable mediation skills that inspired me to pursue it as a career and support youth and local leaders in resolving conflicts in my community.”
For Omer Ishag Haroum Mansour, also a refugee from Sudan, the training was a turning point. “Completing it changed how I view conflict and peace,” he said. “The skills I’ve gained give me hope and motivation to create positive change. Together, we can make a real difference and build lasting peace in our community.”
In a settlement where generations of conflict now live side by side, peace is not built in a single moment: it is built through daily choices, shared commitments, and the courage to see one another differently. The young people trained this year are proof that change is possible. By carrying their skills into families, schools, and neighborhoods, they are transforming inherited divisions into opportunities for dialogue and healing.