Conflict Analysis Summary: Uganda
This report summarizes findings from a conflict analysis undertaken as part of the UNICEF Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy (PBEA) programme funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The purpose of the report is to gain a better understanding of the underlying causes of conflict at the national, subregional and community levels, and to identify formal and non-formal education programming that supports conflict transformation and peacebuilding.
The analysis began with a review of existing conflict analyses and peacebuilding strategies, including the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund conflict analysis (2009) and the Government of Uganda's Peace Recovery and Development Plan 2009–2012. Other analyses included the bottleneck analysis of Strategic Result Areas (2011) and the Uganda draft Mid-Term Review (2012). The document review was followed by consultations with key stakeholders from four areas – Karamoja, the Acholi subregion, West Nile and the south-west – to identify sub-national conflict drivers and gain community perspectives on the conflicts affecting them. Stakeholders convened at a final workshop in Kampala to validate findings and identify programming suggestions for PBEA.
The restoration of education services can act as a peace dividend, signaling a return to normality and the ability of the state to provide services for the public good. Delivered sensitively, education can avoid fueling inequalities and grievances or reinforcing prejudices and animosities. Education can help transform values, attitudes and behaviors that encourage non-violent ways of dealing with conflict and redress systemic and structural injustices. Peacebuilding entry points in education and learning:
- Support implementation of the newly revised curriculum;
- Reduce disparities in education access and quality;
- Support refugee education;
- Build community resilience to mitigate and prevent violence;
- Engage children and youth through non-formal education; and
- Address violence against children in schools.