Global Peace has officially launched its Uganda country office with a renewed focus on empowering young Ugandans to lead peacebuilding and development through digital skills. The launch, which was held via Zoom was convened under the theme “Youth Advancing Peace through Digital Skills for Sustainable Development.” It brought together government leaders, development partners, academia, civil society, and over 100 youth delegates from across Uganda’s regions.
The launch signals Global Peace’s commitment to support Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals by positioning youth as drivers of peace, innovation, and development responsibility.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Kobla Asamani, the Global Coordinator of Global Peace said the digital space is now the frontline for both conflict and cohesion, and young people must be equipped to lead in it. “Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. That is potential. But potential must be guided. Through digital skills, young people can counter misinformation, promote tolerance, create jobs, and advance peace in their communities,” he stated. “The theme ‘Youth Advancing Peace through Digital Skills for Sustainable Development’ is a call to action. It means moving from being consumers of technology to being creators of peace online and offline.” Mr. Kobla Asamani emphasized.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. S. Jemba Micheal, Chair of The Youth Advisory Board of the Africa Europe Youth Academy applauded Global Peace for launching its office in Uganda. According to Dr S. Jemba Micheal, digital transformation is at the centre of our development agenda. But with transformation comes the risk of hate speech, fraud, and division online. We need partners like Global Peace who are investing in digital literacy with a peace lens. Youth must be the ones to clean and shape the digital space for a prosperous and a better future for all humanity,” Dr. Jemba said.
The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Sam Ogwal who is Special Youth Envoy at the IGAD Headquarters, Djibouti said social media has been used to spread division. For these reasons, Global Peace will give skills to young people to flip that narrative to ensure sustainable development. Uganda’s development will be digital, and it will be peaceful if we choose it. That choice starts with youth. “When youth advance peace through digital skills, we secure not just today, but the next 20 years of Uganda’s sustainable development agenda” Mr. Sam Ogwal stated.
Another Speaker at the launch, Ms. Ruth Kitamirike, a Phd Student at the Makerere University, Uganda underscored the urgent need for the promotion of Digital Livelihoods for Peace that will be linked to peace for prosperity. This move will enable the Global Peace in office ib Uganda to run digital entrepreneurship and employability programs which should include training in content creation, coding, digital marketing, and e-commerce to ensure young people have alternatives to violence and idleness.
The Country Representative of Global Peace Uganda, Miss Ankunda Trassyleen, explained that sustainable development cannot happen without peace, and peace cannot be sustained without opportunity. By combining digital skills with peace values, we are giving youth both the tools and the purpose to build Uganda.” Miss Trassyleen said.
Miss Ankunda Trassyleen also further noted that, Global peace will introduce a Digital Peace and Media Literacy space to train Ugandan youth in fact-checking, responsible content creation, and countering hate speech and violent extremism online. Campus “Digital Peace Hubs” will also be established in schools and public spaces to serve as innovation and dialogue Hubs. She also said there will be a formation of Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement that will encourage leadership training and dialogue forums. This will support and inspire young people to participate in governance, conflict prevention, and community peace committees at district level, she added.
A member of the Legal Team at the Global Peace Headquarters, Mama Dzidoasi I, Lawyer/Arbitrator and Sub-Divisional Queen of the Gbi Traditional Council of Hohoe in Ghana, administered the swearing-in of the 11 member executive team for Global Peace Uganda country office. These includes Ms. Ankunda Trassyleen, Country Representative, Cissy Nafula, Administrator; Ahurra Ivan, Coordinator; Nyafwono Irene, International Relations Officer; Menya Julius; Project Officer and Linda Awilli Ouma as Programme Officer one. Others include Okiror Benjamin, Programme Officer Two; Basalirwa Jonathan, Communication Officer; Namugobe Vicky, Technical Advisor; Thomas Kawere, Finance Officer and Namukwana Shifah, Treasurer.
