consultative meeting on the development of a national policy for peacebuilding and conflict prevention
Remarks by:
MS. ROSA MALANGO,
undp resident representative/UN RESIDENT COORIDNATOR
united nations development programme (UNDP)
Monday:19Thseptemeber 2016
venue: hotel africana, kampala
Hon. Musa Ecweru- State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees,
Country Director, Mercy Corps
Government Officials Ministries, Departments and Agencies,
The Development Partners,
The Members of the CSOs,
Members of the Private Sector,
Colleagues from the UN,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour to join you this morning for the Consultative meeting on the development of a National Policy for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation. I would like to thank Mercy Corps for enabling this meeting happen in the spirit of partnership.
This meeting is part of a national conversation on this policy. This is an opportunity to strengthen national institutions which manage conflicts every day.
Uganda has seen its share of conflict within its borders the most recent arising from the post-election violence in the Rwenzori sub region that has regrettably claimed lives. Herstrategic location in the volatile Great lakes regionalso contributes to spillover issues from without its borders.
The development of this policy is therefore not only timely but also very critical forguiding state and non-state peace actors in ensuring that there are early warning systems in place to curb violence before it happens.
It is also important for providingtimely and appropriate responses to any violent conflicts that may result from social, economic, political and cultural injustices at different levels of the society.
I therefore commend the work done by National Peace Platform comprised of Civil Society Organisations, the United Nations and the Government under the leadership of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)’s Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management for ensuring that the draft policy is ready for discussion by all stakeholders.
The finalisation of this policy comes at a time when the country still faces a number of governance challengessuch as corruption, inadequate service delivery, inequality in resource distribution, transparency and accountability. These issues need to be addressed in order to mitigate their impacts on peace and security in the country.
Ladies and gentlemen, without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on rule of law - we shall not attainthe new global Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nor the national vision outlined in the second National Development (NDP).
Goal 16 particularly aims to reduce all forms of violence, by working with governments and communities to find lasting solutions to managing conflict and insecurity. It is for this reason that the commemoration of the International Day of Peace will focus on the theme, “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.”
This breakfast meeting presents us with an opportunity to reflect on efforts to reduce violence by working with communities in finding inclusive mechanisms to prevent and manage conflict and insecurity.
The National Policy on Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation therefore providesa framework to reinforcenational capacities for conflict prevention and management and build upon indigenous resilient systems for conflict mitigation for a peaceful and secure Uganda.
The UN is founded on the pledge to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. Under UNDP’s new programme - Peace Security and Systems Resilience – we shall continue to support government and citizens to build resilient systems for peacebuilding.
The UN Secretary General stated that, ‘the 17 SDGs are a road map to peace and prosperity for all nations. They are our tools to fight poverty and hunger, inequality and competition for resources that leads to tensions and conflicts.’
In this regard, UNDP is working to reinforce spaces for mediation and dialogue – like the Elders Forum of Uganda, the National Consultative Forum and the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda. These spaces have supported interparty political dialogues as well as calming the post-election tensions in the Rwenzoris.
As we discuss this policy today, let us remember that it is a critical legislation for Uganda to consolidate the peace dividends that will enable it toreach middle income status as envisioned in the second National Development Plan.
We therefore call upon government to fast-track the passing of this national policy that has been in formulation for the last ten years. We invite the Parliament to support its implementation as part of efforts to facilitate the transformation of the SDGs into development goals for all Ugandans.
The United Nations Development Programme and the UN as a whole remain committed to supporting this process to its successful conclusion. It is out hope that Uganda’s transformation process will be inclusive, sustainable and resilient. We will contribute as partners to Uganda’s quest to become the Uganda that all her citizens want. I invite you to become champions of peace by becoming SDGs Champions.
Thank you.
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