August 4, 2026 – Earlier this year, WPDI expanded its peace education efforts across Uganda’s Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, reaching 457 children and young people through two complementary training programs delivered in local schools and at WPDI’s Community Learning Center. Together, the activities equipped participants from refugee and host communities with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to prevent conflict, resolve disagreements peacefully, promote human rights, and strengthen social cohesion across the settlement.
Bringing Peace Education into Schools
Between February and May, WPDI delivered peace education training to 345 students across five schools in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. The program reached 225 students from Panyadoli Self Help Senior Secondary School, Kiryandongo High School, and Bweyale Senior Secondary School, as well as 120 students from Siriba and Victoria Primary Schools.
Through practical lessons and exercises, participants developed skills in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, mediation, communication, and nonviolent conflict resolution. They participated in workshops, hands-on activities, and peer practice, learning practical strategies for preventing conflict, resolving disagreements peacefully, and strengthening relationships within their communities.
The initiative additionally strengthened young people’s leadership skills through the establishment and support of peace clubs, peer-to-peer learning, and school-based peace advocacy campaigns, motivating participants to become ambassadors for peaceful coexistence within their communities.
“As the Deputy Head Teacher of Alliance High School in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, I am deeply grateful to WPDI for the peacebuilding training provided to our students. We have observed increased self-esteem among participants, greater willingness to express themselves respectfully, and improved ability to resolve conflicts peacefully. The program has created a more peaceful and inclusive learning environment while empowering young people to become positive role models and ambassadors of peace.” – Acan Beatrice, Deputy Head Teacher, Alliance High School
Student participants also described how the training transformed their daily lives.
“Through peace education training, I have learned to resolve conflicts calmly, communicate confidently, and live peacefully with others. The inner peace I have gained has helped me focus better on my studies and improve my academic performance. I will use the knowledge and skills I have gained to promote peaceful conflict resolution among my peers and serve as a role model for peace in my school and community.” – Rachkara Fred, trainee, Alliance High School
Strengthening Peace Through Community Learning
Alongside the school program, WPDI trained 112 young people through a three-month Conflict Resolution and Human Rights course at the Community Learning Center in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.
The participants, primarily refugee youth from Sudan and South Sudan, together with members of the host community, developed practical skills in conflict management, mediation, dialogue, and peaceful conflict transformation.
Following the training, participants joined WPDI’s grassroots peace network, supporting community leaders in resolving disputes peacefully while encouraging social cohesion, human rights awareness, and nonviolent conflict resolution throughout the settlement. Through community sensitization activities, graduates shared their knowledge with fellow residents, helping strengthen peaceful coexistence among Kiryandongo’s diverse communities.
For many participants, the training marked the first opportunity to study peacebuilding and human rights formally.
“Coming from a conflict-affected background in Sudan, this training opened my eyes to the importance of dialogue, respect, and peaceful coexistence. I learned practical skills in mediation, communication, and conflict resolution, which have increased my confidence and changed how I interact with others. Today, I am better equipped to promote peace, raise awareness about human rights, and help resolve disputes within my community.” – Mustafa Suliman, Refugee Community Member
Another participant reflected on the role young women can play in building more peaceful communities.
“The training equipped me with practical skills in mediation, dialogue, and peaceful conflict resolution, giving me the confidence to actively promote peace in my community. I also gained a better understanding of human rights and the important role women can play in fostering social cohesion and preventing conflicts. I am now motivated to support peaceful solutions and help other young people resolve disputes through dialogue.” – Limia Ali Mohammed, Refugee Community Member
Whether facilitating peace clubs in schools, supporting neighbors in resolving disputes, or supporting dialogue within their communities, participants are helping build a more peaceful and inclusive future for Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.
Thanks to the support of a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous