Kasese NGO chief Kikaba wins peace award
Jan 26, 2024
The award commemorates the 61st anniversary of the signing of the Elysee Treaty by then-French President Charles De Gaulle and Germany Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.
Matthias Schauer (right) German ambassador to Uganda and Xavier Sticker (left) French Ambassador to Uganda awarding Faruku Kibaba (centre) ED Great Lakes Peace Center. (Photos by Hajara Nalwadda)
John Odyek
Journalist @New Vision
_______________________ Guests attending the 61st Anniversary of the signing of the Elysee treaty celebrations at the German Ambassador residence in Kololo
Faruk Kibaba, the founder and executive director of the Kasese district-based NGO Great Lakes Peace Centre (GLPC) has won the 2024 Peace Award.
The award commemorates the 61st anniversary of the signing of the Elysee Treaty by then-French President Charles De Gaulle and Germany Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.
The treaty sealed the reconciliation between France and Germany for the benefit of a long and lasting era of peace and friendship between the two countries.
The awards were handed over to Kikaba by the Germany ambassador to Uganda Mathias Schauer and the French ambassador to Uganda Xavier Sticker. The function was held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the residence of Schauer in Kololo, Kampala. The two ambassadors jointly organised the peace and reconciliation award ceremony.
GLPC, which has been in existence since 2015, assesses and acknowledges the underlying causes of conflicts and tries to prevent similar re-occurrences. They do so in collaboration with regional, local, and central governments supporting people trapped in conflicts. 
Kikaba, while receiving the award expressed his appreciation for the recognition of his contribution. He explained that they undertake peace building and conflict resolution through youth and women empowerment. Their methods of work include community dialogue, school peace clubs, and peace conferences.
He added that one of the conflicts they try to resolve is land conflicts where the people involved are asked to find solutions. He noted that where there was criminality and violence they referred the matter to the Police and courts of law.
Sticker said the Franco-German reconciliation and friendship can be a source of inspiration for East Africa and other parts of the world that seek to have peace and stability.
“It is power that lies not in forgetting but in overcoming the quarrels and bruises of the past,” Sticker said.
“In bringing the Franco-German friendship to life we honour the memory of great men and all those who made possible the impressive transformation of relations between France and Germany,” he added.
Schauer said there is violence all around and people are not living in a peaceful world characterized by cases of terrorism.
“Conflict doesn't have the last word, enmity can be overcome, forgiveness is possible and can pave the way to true friendship. The German-French Youth Office was created to promote exchange between young people at school and university,” Schauer said.
He encouraged people to learn foreign languages saying it builds friendships and brings many great experiences in life.
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