In January 2024, our Africa Regional Coordinator A.Dieudonné Serukabuza traveled to Gulu, Uganda, to meet with our local partner, the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU). The meeting proved to be fruitful, as both parties engaged in productive discussions and laid out comprehensive plans for the Training of Trainers.
Training of Trainers (Kampala – July 2024)
Our Training of Trainers for religious sisters took place in Kampala, Uganda, as part of our program in Central and Eastern Africa, from July 1 to 5, 2024.
Fourteen sisters from various congregations across Uganda have gathered at the Secretariat of the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), our esteemed local partner, to delve into active nonviolence, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.
Participants were welcomed by Sr. Lydia Bwor, Secretary General of ARU, and Sr. Wamuyu Wachira, Co-President of Pax Christi International. The training sessions were facilitated by Dieudonné Serukabuza (Pax Christi’s Africa Regional Coordinator), Martha Okumu (Director of Peace Tree Network), and Divina Gekonge (Lecturer in peace and conflict studies at St. Paul University, Nairobi, Kenya) and included interactive sessions such as role play, analogies, and problem-solving activities to facilitate understanding and encourage active participation.
One exercise involved using a fire analogy to help participants understand how violence can be ignited and fueled within communities, demonstrating how quickly it can propagate and escalate. Participants were fully engaged and finding immense value in the training, which not only serves as a healing journey for them but also enhances their capacity to support others in their religious and apostolic lives.
The training concluded with a meaningful closing ceremony, where the sisters committed to take their newfound knowledge and skills back to their communities. In a spirit of solidarity and hope, each sister pledged to train youth and fellow sisters in active nonviolence and peacebuilding. This dedication marks the beginning of a ripple effect that will extend beyond this training, empowering future generations to foster peace and resolve conflicts nonviolently. Together, these sisters are sowing the seeds of change, living out the words of Sr. Wamuyu: “The road is tough, but we will get there.”
Hear from Sr. Christine, Sr. Mary Rita, Sr. Scovia, Sr. Jane Rose, and Sr. Joyce as they share their impressions of the training and reflect on how it will impact their life and their apostolate service.
Scroll through the gallery to view more pictures from the ceremony
Community Trainings Led by Religious Sisters Across Uganda
After completing our Training of Trainers in Kampala, fourteen religious sisters from various congregations have committed to extending their knowledge in active nonviolence, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. These sisters are currently leading community-based trainings and will continue offering them through December 2024. By empowering youth and fellow sisters across Uganda, they are fostering a culture of peace and promoting nonviolent solutions within their local contexts, creating a lasting impact throughout the country.
