WHERE I DRAW MY INSPIRATION FOR PEACE BUILDING
Born in a conflict prone environment, witnessing societies torn apart by conflict, and having worked in war-torn areas for over 12 years now, peace is the most precious wish I keep dreaming for.
With a passion for peace, I have dedicated my life to pursue this dream.
I have devoted my energy and skills towards my mission; To Aspire, Inspire and Conspire for Peace and Development.
I have chosen to keep dreaming. And dream big.
I look forward with hope, to that day when I will wake up to see my vision realized – a world where peace prevails and sustainable development is guaranteed.
ROTARY – A TRUE COMPANION IN MY DREAM FOR PEACE
Surely, from childhood, I have had an inner-passion for building peace.
But, I didn’t have adequate building tools and skills.
Rotary bridged the gap.
With kind support from Rotary, I was granted the opportunity to pursue my dream – as a Peace Fellow.
Today, I am confident and able to build more and better pieces of peace.
The chance to engage with various Rotary Family members, has been a great honor to me, towards my dream. Lessons and inspirations from them, have kept renewing my energy for peace.
People like Mary and Art Kamm (my Rotary Host Family) have always cheered me on.
Others like Susan Grossman and Maxim Schrogin (from my sponsor District 5160) have kept motivating me toward my dream.
Some like Susan Carroll and Amy Cole (Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center) have always guided us in the chase for our dreams.
Those like Bart Cleary (Oxford Rotary Club) have inspired us to believe that surely, we have what it takes to realize our dreams one day.
And always, I am happy to add my contribution to that of Rotary and other Peace Fellows with whom I share a common dream.
WHY I AM CONCENTRATING ON ADDRESSING LAND CONFLICTS
Point to any area in Africa, and indeed many other areas in the world – soon, you will realize there is a land conflict.
The land question in Africa is one of the most complex and difficult questions to answer.
Land, especially in Africa, is increasingly becoming the biggest driver of conflict.
Yet, it seems this trend is not about to reverse.
BECAUSE:
Land constitutes the most critical resource for livelihood and survival.
The population is rapidly growing – the land is static.
In Africa, more than 60 percent of people and more than 80 percent in some countries derive their livelihood directly from land – yet landlessness in increasing.
In Africa, land is more than just an economic resource. It carries critical social, spiritual and cultural attachments – thereby attracting heightened land fights and revenges.
To an ordinary person, land literally means life.
The historical injustices, colonial legacy, weak land governance systems, just add layers of complexity.
The effects of climate change and its associated stress on land, make a bad situation worse.
Land is a determinant for virtually every sector of development.
But land conflicts remain a fundamental obstacle to the peace and development we are seeking.
Future peace is therefore highly dependent on our ability to manage, resolve and prevent land conflicts.
True, the land question remains a difficult question to answer, but we cannot afford to sit and do nothing.
MY APPLIED FIELD EXPERIENCE (AFE) AT KENYA NATIONAL LAND COMMISSION
In search for answers for peace and to the land question, I sought to have my Applied Field Experience at the National Land Commission of Kenya.
For a period of 3 months, my main aim was to learn the practical experiences of addressing land conflicts and promoting peace.
With a mandate of researching and providing land policy recommendations to the government, the Commission was a perfect placement for me.
And with a responsibility of promoting alternative dispute resolution in addressing land disputes, the Commission fed directly into my area of passion.
The opportunity at the Commission has enabled me to learn, share and build a great network. I have learnt a lot from the Commission’s interventions, policy initiatives and research work. Personal engagements with people like my supervisor Dr. Fibian Lukalo (Head of Research and Advocacy Directorate) have offered great insight in addressing land conflicts.
During my AFE, I have drafted a journal article on “Land, Conflict and Its Impact”- a case of Kenya, written a policy brief on “Changes in Land Use and its implication on Conflict”, reviewed/edited papers on Land and Conflict, drafted a paper on Land Conflicts in Kajiado County, and another one on “Why Alternative Dispute Resolution is Vital in Settling Land Disputes” – a case of Kenya. These assignments have enhanced my insight and understanding of the context of land conflicts, as well as policy and practical responses. I am also compiling best practices in land management and conflict prevention from Kenya, that I intend to share.
This AFE has provided me with the chance to share and apply experiences in peace building, public policy, research, and the means of addressing land conflict, among others – both drawn from my field experiences as well as skills obtained at Duke University. I also cherish the times we just made jokes and had fun, networked, shared stories about my work and that of Rotary, and even taken off time to take selfies.
The AFE has also provided me with opportunities to reach out and learn from other organizations working on land issues – such as UN-HABITAT/Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) in Nairobi. I have learned more about the management of land and land conflicts, frameworks like Social Tenure Domain Model (STDM), land transparency and administration. This experience has also enhanced my mediation skills in addressing land conflicts.
While on my AFE, I was invited by the Land and Policy Initiative – a continental initiative of the Africa Union Commission, UN-Economic Commission for Africa and the Africa Development Bank as one of the experts to validate a report on Land, Ethnicity and Conflict. This involved vital learning and sharing on addressing land issues in Africa.
I have also had great times joining and serving with those “Serving Humanity” and sharing my experiences as a Rotary Peace Fellow.
Thank You
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I am a Ugandan Rotary Peace Fellow pursuing my 2nd Master’s Degree of International Development Policy – with a concentration in peace building at Duke University – USA.
My sponsor is Rotary District 5160