NGOs commended for promoting peace, reconciliation

The French and Germany governments have commended local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), for their contribution towards peace building and reconciliation in Uganda.

According to the two governments, the organizations, especially those dealing in peace and reconciliation works, have done a lot to disenthrall their society from the ghosts of the past conflicts.

"The directors of local NGOs, from Gulu, work every single day to promote peace and build reconciliation through dialogue," Stephanie Rivoal, the French Ambassador to Uganda said.

She made the remarks on Sunday, during joint celebrations to commemorate the Franco-German Friendship Treaty, at her Residence in Nakasero, Kampala.

On January 22, 1963, President Charles de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed the Elysee treaty, which sealed reconciliation between France and Germany, for the benefit of along and lasting era of peace and friendship between the two countries.

To commemorate this event, and to encourage reconciliation and fruitful cooperation in Uganda, Ambassador Rivoal, and her counterpart Dr. Peter Blomeyer, the Ambassador of Germany to Uganda, hosted the peace and reconciliation award ceremony, to reward individuals and organizations that have contributed to peace building in Uganda, especially in the north.

At the event, a peace and reconciliation award ceremony was held. Victor Ochen, founder and executive director Africa Youth Initiative was given the "Franco-German Peace Award".

It was awarded by the two ambassadors to recognize his efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Uganda.

"Life is full of misery and mistrust. But we do with our choices is what we become tomorrow. We were told while growing up that war was the only path to power. We are telling young people, killing is not the path to power and greatness. We promote peace and reconciliation, we do not promote revenge and war," Ochen noted.

Other people were also recognized for promoting peace and reconciliation mainly in Northern Uganda following the end of over 20 years of the Lord's Resistance Army war. These were; Eric Odong, director Pathways to Peace Uganda, Rosalba Oywa, executive director of Peoples Voice for Peace, Francis Opio, program manager Grassroots Reconciliation Group.

Others were Lino Owor Ogora, director Foundation for Justice and Development Initiative, Pamela Angwech, executive director Gulu Women Economic Development and Globalization, Janet Arach Watye Ki Gen Project, Ronald Rwankangi, Advance Africa.

The others were, Bernard Kasozi, Refugee Law Project, Isaak Odiya Okumir, Justice and Reconciliation Project, Stella Angel Lanam, Women's Advocacy Network, Geoffrey Otema, Drop in the Bucket.