Community-based conflict management and peace-building strategies in Teso sub region in Uganda

The paper intends to investigate community-based conflict management and peacebuilding strategies in Teso sub-region in Eastern Uganda. The approach engaged is content analysis, a literature review on existing articles and field experience in Teso. Using a case study as a research design. In relation to armed conflicts that include the; civil wars, Lord’s Resistance incursion and Karamojong induced cattle rustling. The review was guided by the following specific objectives; to examine the successes, limitations and gaps in community-based conflict management and peacebuilding strategies. To Identify gaps and make recommendations for the strengthening of community-based peacebuilding mechanisms. The article found that; the community-based peacebuilding strategies employed in conflict areas, mainly involved traditional institutions as an entry point to the communities and also very instrumental in asserting community confidence in the process. The processes included the participation of council of elders and the traditional chieftaincy system. In addition, the use of traditional rites and rituals as form of cleansing and appeasement for the dead, remorseful acknowledgement of the bloodshed of innocent community members, caused by the violent conflict. It further included, the active inclusion and involvement of inter-religious councils, faith-based organisations, civil society actors. The peacebuilding undertaken was community driven, voluntary and also received supplementary support from non-governmental organisations that facilitated the hosting of dialogues held with different conflict parties including State. Community based peacebuilding strategies were found to be successful in; Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda. Specifically, in Northern Uganda in the Madi, Acholi, Langi and Teso sub-region in Uganda. These were majorly successful as a result of understanding the root causes of the conflict, clearly defined conflict parties, acknowledgement of security failure to protect lives, property and interests of the people. The realisation of the need for peace led to the promotion of the local initiatives by community leaders that opened up space for dialogues that engaged with representatives of the conflicting parties. Therefore, making community peace-building efforts reliable and most effective approach, especially, when they work in complementarity with State institutions. However, the absence of formal legal recognition by the State institutions in the integration of community-based peacebuilding structures, could lead to disintegration, erosion of traditional peace structures. It could further, lead to its being disregarded by the youth, especially, due to growing inter-generational gap. Traditional council of elders and the inter-religious councils ought to integrate the youth and their resourcefulness to the peacebuilding systems and structures. Further more, it is urgent that gender mainstreaming, leads to involvement of women in the peacebuilding processes, inclusion in the structures, institutions and in formal legal frameworks. The largely patriarchy nature of traditional institutions limits the undeniable contribution and participation of women in high level interface dialogues. The intergenerational gap that is creeping in should strive to resolve the integration and inclusion of youth in the traditional structures. Noting that youth as source of labour contribute, during armed conflicts. Checklist included; identifying articles for review, on countries that had conflicts in which community-based peacebuilding approaches were engaged, and using this information to conduct the review