TRACK II DIPLOMACY: A REVIEW OF COMMUNITY-BASED ACTORS’ ROLE IN PEACEBUILDING IN THE RWENZORI SUB-REGION OF UGANDA

The study examined the application of multi-track diplomacy in conflict management. Specifically, it examined the role and contribution of community-based actors in managing the conflict in Rwenzori sub-region of Uganda. A descriptive research design, and a mixed method approach were employed in data collection. A sample size of 384 respondents derived from a population of 1,022,029 using Krejie and Morgan’s sample size table, participated in the study. In addition, 15 key informants that were purposively selected by the researchers provided qualitative data. The study was anchored on the Theory of Protracted Social Conflict (PSC) propounded by Thomas Azar in the 1970s. The study concludes that community-based actors (traditional leaders, religious leaders, women and youths) contributed significantly to managing the conflict and restoring peace in Rwenzori sub-region and restoring peace. They did this by engaging their subjects through dialogue meetings, where they encouraged them to de-escalate the use of violence. It was equally observed, that a segment of the community based actors, specifically the male community leaders were involved more in the conflict management and peace building process. The government preferred to dialogue with male community leaders’ instead of engaging all the community-based actors. By so doing, some actors, women and youth, were notsufficiently engaged in the conflict management and peace building process, despite by disproportionately affected by the conflict.