Public Dialogue on Peace and Reconciliation in Uganda, SOAS University of London
Channel: SOAS University of London
Date: 22/06/2016

https://www.soas.ac.uk/politics/

This talk titled "Public Dialogue on Peace and Reconciliation in Uganda" was given by Betty Bigombe and Michael Otim at SOAS University of London on 9 June 2016.
You can find out more about this event at https://goo.gl/HIcFnJ

The "Learning from Leaders" research project investigates how “middle tier” or “go-between” political leaders bridge the gap between elite-level peace negotiations and peace and reconciliation efforts at the community level. This public dialogue examines civil conflict in Uganda - particularly between the Ugandan government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) - bringing together leaders from different sectors of Ugandan society. They will discuss (in a fluid dialogue format) their experiences within various peace processes and lessons for ongoing reconciliation efforts in Uganda. 

Dialogue Chair: Barney Afako is a lawyer, transitional justice expert and part-time immigration judge in the UK. He was the chief legal advisor to the UN mediation team during the 2006-2008 Juba peace talks between the Ugandan government and the LRA.

Speaker: Betty Bigombe is the senior director for Fragility, Conflict and Violence at the World Bank. She was the Minister for Northern Uganda between 1988 and 1993, during which time she was named Ugandan Woman of the Year for her negotiations with the LRA, and Minister for Water Resources between 2011 and 2014. She led a further peace process with the LRA between 2004 and 2005.

Speaker: Michael Otim is the head of the International Center for Transitional Justice office in Uganda. He was previously the director of the Gulu NGO Forum, coordinating northern Uganda civil society during the LRA conflict, and led the civil society delegation to the Juba peace talks between the Ugandan government and the LRA.