National Association of Women Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU)

The Launch of the Peace Train

The women of Uganda Under the leadership of National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda (NAWOU) marched through Kampala Road to welcome the Peace Train and to receive the Peace Torch.

The march was flagged off by the state Minister for Ethics and Integrity Honorable Miria Matembe who is also Woman MP for Mbarara District. Omega Brass band and the police force led the march from the National Constitutional Square to the Uganda Railways Corporation headquarters, holding placards and banners with messages of peace. Marchers included women from war torn areas of Uganda, i.e. Gulu, Arua, Kasese, Katakwi, Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and from the NAWOU district networks like Mubende, Mpigi, and Kampala. Also in attendance were the NAWOU NGO members, notably the Network of Disabled Women, with their banner ÒWar Causes Disability, included, the deaf with their interpreters, those on wheel chairs, crutches, etc. School children from Kyagwe Road Primary School and the Omega Primary School and Joy Primary School also attended.

The Minister in her speech emphasized that the involvement of women in peace negotiations is important.

The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Honorable Rebecca Kadaga represented His Eminence, the President of Uganda Yoweri K. Museveni who was on a Peace building mission in Gulu, Northern Uganda. Gulu is a district that has been affected by insecurity and wars for the last fifteen years. The Deputy Speaker delivered the President's speech, but emphasized that the media, should stop reporting about the former girl abductees as Kony's wives because they are forced into marriage and so should be referred to just as abductees. "Why don't you call male abductees Kony's in-laws and yet you call the girls Kony's wives."

Present also was the Minister of Gender, Labor, and Social Development, Honorable Zoe Bakoko Bakoru whose Ministry worked closely with NAWOU in preparation for the Women's Peace Train. In her remarks she emphasized the importance of women as peace negotiators and thus the need for government to recognize their role and include them on peace negotiation tables.

Also present was the State Minister for Environment, Honorable Maria Mutagamba who gave a briefing on the WSSD as she had attended the Summit PrepComs. In attendance as well was Honorable Benigna Mukibi, the State Minister for Public Service, who also had attended some of the Prepcoms.

The Chairperson UWOPA (Uganda Women Parliamentarian Association) requested the women to participate in peace building and ending of conflicts by discouraging their husbands, sons, and male relatives from joining rebel groups. She also emphasized that peace negotiations have to go on alongside the government fighting back the rebels because rebels never stop.

Among the Members of Parliament who attended the function were those representing war torn districts; i.e. Honorable Lochiam Rose, Karamoja Region and also Woman MP for the Moyo District, Honorable Mindra Joyo Eugenia. These speeches, dances, and songs characterized the launch of the Peace Train.