By Brian Atuhura
The Conflict Early Warning and Response Unit (CEWERU)was yesterday officially established and rolled out to key stakeholders in Masindi District as part of efforts to detect potential conflicts early and prevent their escalation.
While leading the roll out during a district Stakeholders' consultative meeting held in the council chambers,Ben Turyahumura,the National Head of CEWERU under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, announced that Masindi is now among the districts implementing the program.
He noted that, the initiative is timely, especially as potential conflicts may emerge from compensation issues related to ongoing oil and gas activities in the Albertine Graben.
Turyahumura explained that CEWERU was formed through the CEWARN protocol in 2001, endorsed in 2002 and operationalized in 2003.
The Unit is currently active in eight IGAD member States including Uganda,South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia,Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya where it works to monitor and respond to emerging conflict triggers.
"We have existed for over 20 years, covering about 60 districts where we conduct consultations to identify challenges on the ground,"he said.
He highlighted the increasing influx of refugees as a major concern, noting that Uganda may host over two million refugees fleeing conflicts in neighbouring countries such as South Sudan.
He warned that the arrival of people with different cultures and behaviors can create tensions, making it essential to equip district stakeholders with early conflict detection and response skills.
Turyahumura added that,his team will return next year to conduct more in depth training for district actors on conflict management and early detection.
During the same meeting,the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO),Jane Akiror called for the establishment of peace committees in every village and emphasized the need for dialogue and mediation among conflicting parties.
Representing the District Chairperson,the Secretary for Production Geoffrey Kiiza Bigabwa,stressed that minor conflicts often grow into major ones if not addressed in time.
Closing the engagement,the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC), Hellen Tugume, urged Masindi leaders to prioritize conflict prevention as a key foundation for the district's development.