Welcome to John Paul II Justice & Peace Centre

Want to know the exciting and amazing things we did in 2022? please read our 2022 Annual report  → 2022 Annual Report 

JPIIJPC strives to handle peace and conflict transformation, to achieve this, we have done a lot.  Watch our short films on peace and conflict transformation here ⇒“No boarder”  and “Escape”   Please read about the evaluation of the first phase of our peace building program in Bidibidi and Imvepi Refugee Settlements⇒  Evaluation Report 19h -12-2021 Final 1

NEW AND EXCITING

JPIIJPC aims to improve health and education sector and the performance of small businesses through the installation of Solar Energy at 4 Health Centres, 4 Schools (each with 4 computer classes constructed and equipped) and 4 Business Hubs at Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

Please read more about the project, what we have succeeded so far with the donations and donate to support this important cause by clicking here 

Read the project in Portuguese here Resumo do projeto em portugues

Read the project in Italian here Project summary in Italian (1)

Read the project in Spanish here Project Summary in Spanish

PLEASE, HELP US IN THE SENSITIZATION AND SUPPORT OF 30 HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS

 This project will create awareness on human trafficking in Uganda and provide psychosocial support and economic empowerment to 30 survivors of human to reduce vulnerability. Please read more about the project and donate here 

LATEST MAJOR ACTIVITIES

PROMOTION OF SOCIAL COHESION AMONG THE REFUGEES AND HOST COMMUNITY IN Bidibidi and Imvepi Refugee SETTLEMENTS

i) Pastoral Peace Visit by Bishop of Arua Diocese in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

Bishop of Arua Diocese. His Lordship Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki  and Director JPIIJPC-Avuni Alfred (Centre) dancing with refugees and host community in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

JPIIJPC organized a pastoral peace visit by the Bishop of Arua Diocese to Bidibidi Refugee Settlement on 11th May 2023. The visit brought together various religious leaders from all religious faiths, partners in the settlement, government officials, POCs, and host community. The event aimed at helping the community reflect on several issues and seek God’s blessings as well as addressing challenges such as reduced food ratios, introduction of school fees, theft, rape, domestic violence, and resource conflicts in the settlement and host community. Over 1000 participants attended, using the visit as an opportunity to reflect on peaceful coexistence and establish working solutions. The pastoral peace visit by the Bishop of Arua Catholic Diocese provided an opportunity for reflection, collaboration, and blessings. The commitment of stakeholders, including JPIIJPC, religious leaders, government officials, and civil society organizations, was highlighted as crucial in supporting the POCs and achieving peace in the settlement.

Read The full Report about the visit here Bishop’s Peace Visit Report

Watch the Event here: Bishop’s Peace Pastoral Visit to Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

ii) Peace Building Training in Bidibidi and Imvepi Refugee Settlements and Host Community. 

Training community leaders in peace-building in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

In order to ensure Social Cohesion among the South Sudan Refugees and with the Host Communities in Imvepi and Bidibidi Settlements in Northern Uganda. The centre continues with its various peace-building efforts.  In the first quarter of 2023. The centre trained 120 settlement leaders; 150 teenage girls; 100 youths in peace building. The centre also appointed and trained 40 Community Peace Animators whose work is to identify and report conflicts for proper management, resolve minor conflicts, and work with police in community policing. These intervention is playing a key role towards promoting peaceful coexistence between the refugees and host community.

ii) Training of Community Leaders (Youth Leaders, Women Leaders, Religious Leaders, RWCs and LCIs) in Bidibidi and Imvepi Refugee Settlements in Peace Building

Peace Building Training of Community Leaders in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

The Centre, in cooperation with the implementing partners IRC, YETA, OPM, RWC III and UNHCR conducted training for youth, women, religious and RWCs/ LCs on peace building skills and conflict resolution mechanisms  in Bidibidi and Imvepi Refugee Settlements. The target is to increase participation, awareness and influence of youth and women in peace building initiatives.  It missioned to instill into the leaders the very important aspect of peaceful coexistence. The training covered intensively concept of peace, concept of justice, conflict management, violence, effective communication and mediation skills. The Centre is optimistic that the training equipped the leaders with core skills needed to be peace ambassadors within their respective communities and ensure peaceful coexistence between the refugees and host community.

Solar Energy For Health Centre III-Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

Handover of IT equipment to health centre officials in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

The Centre procured and handed over IT equipment to Twajiji, Igamara, and Bolomoni Health Centers. The equipment included laptop computers, printers and laptop bags. This is to help the health centres operate efficiently in terms of storing, uploading and accessing health related information and data. The centre believes that, this intervention will contribute towards enjoyment of the right to health in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement and host community.

ii) Training Beneficiary Health Centres on the Maximisation of the Solar Energy and ICT Infrastructure for greater access to health

Training Beneficiaries on the use of solar and IT equipment

JPIIJPC and IRC collaborated to train 9 personnel from Twajiji, Igamara, and Bolomoni Health Centers on the proper care, use, and maintenance of solar energy infrastructure and computers donated by the JPIIJPC to the health centres. The trainings included the following 

1. Solar Energy Infrastructure Care: Guidelines on maintenance, cleaning, troubleshooting, and prolonging the lifespan of solar panels, batteries, and inverters.
2. Basic Computer Care: Best practices for computer maintenance, storage, virus protection, software updates, data backup and recovery, and hardware issues.
3. Data Entry and Management: Hands-on training on accurate data entry, organization, retrieval, data quality assurance, privacy, security, and documentation using health data management portals.
4. Internet Research for Health: Strategies for reliable health information sources, search techniques, credibility evaluation, and online tools for evidence-based healthcare.
5. Troubleshooting and Problem-solving: Essential skills for identifying and resolving common computer, printer, and internet issues, basic network troubleshooting, and problem-solving strategies to minimize downtime and maximize system efficiency.
6. Infection Prevention and Control: Knowledge and skills to prevent and control infections.

Outcome: The training equipped the personnel with necessary knowledge and skills to maintain and utilize the provided infrastructure effectively. The training enhanced their skills in maintaining and utilising the provided infrastructure, data entry and management, internet research, and infection prevention and control, enabling the health centres to provide efficient and effective healthcare services to the beneficiaries

iii) Solar Energy Materials for Health Centres

flagging off solar energy materials for health centre III- Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

In march 2023, the Centre supplied solar materials for health centre III in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement. The aim is to power the health centres to ensure effective and efficient functioning and better services to the refugees and the host community.  Please read more about the project and donate here ⇒ https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/solar-power-for-bidibidi-refugees-in-uganda/

3) National Prayer on Human Trafficking

Hon Minister Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development addressing the participants at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds

Human Trafficking continues to exist in the shadows and beyond the reach of the law putting millions at risk. Thousand of children, women, girls and boys are trafficked and enslaved everyday across the globe. Uganda is a source, transit and destination country for women, children and men subjected to human trafficking. It is against this background that John Paul II Justice and peace Centre (JPIIJPC), Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) and Association of the Religious in Uganda (ARU), in collaboration with Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) and Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) organized a national prayer for creating awareness and promoting the rights and dignity of the victims of human trafficking. It was conducted on Friday 9th September at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, presided by His Grace Arch Bishop John Baptist Odama and the chief guest was Hon Minister Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development.

Please watch the whole event via this link ⇒National Prayer Event

Please read about what other news outlets have written about the event ⇓

Daily Monitor , The Independent  , Uganda Radio Network  , UEC , ACIAAFRICA

4) Promotion of Cooperation with Various Stakeholder

Fr Ted Osuala and Mr Avuni Alfred pose for a picture after a meeting

In a drive to promote cooperation with various partners in the area of justice in peace, the centre held a number of meetings with various stakeholders, the most notable one was with the Bishop of Kampala Arch-Diocese, Most Reverend Paul Ssemogerere. Discussions were made on the possible ways of cooperation in combating human trafficking in Uganda. A project proposal titled “Advocacy against Human Trafficking and Support to Survivors” was presented to him for signing. The Bishop signed the proposal and committed himself and the Arch-diocese to cooperate with the Centre in the fight against human trafficking and other areas of justice and peace.

5) Intervention against the Impact of COVID-19 on Teenage Girls’ Education in Uganda 

Stakeholders from various part of Uganda pose for a group photo during the workshop at Johan Paul II Justice and Peace Centre

Africa Faith Justice Network in partnership with John Paul II Justice and Peace Center, Association of Religious in Uganda, (ARU)-JPIC, Uganda Episcopal Conference: Departments of Justice and Peace and Lay Apostolate in collaboration with the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, (JNLC), Makerere University, conducted Stakeholders’ workshop from April 27-30, 2022 at John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre. The purpose of the workshop was to ascertain the challenges posed by COVID-19 on the education of teenage girls in Uganda. It focused on understanding the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the education of teenage girls.

Please read the report of a study that was conducted and discussed during the workshop Report on COVID-19 Teenage Pregnancy

  6) Combating Human Trafficking in Uganda

Mr. Avuni Alfred – Director JPIIJPC and Sr Mary Lilly Driciru -ARU (left), together with TIP survivors in a radio talk show at Radio Maria on St. Bakhita Day to discuss issues related to Human Trafficking in Uganda

Human trafficking continues to exist in the shadows and beyond the reach of the law, putting millions at risk. Thousands of children, women, girls and boys are trafficked and enslaved everyday across the globe. Uganda is a source, transit and destination for men, women and children subjected to human trafficking. Children as young as seven years are exploited in forced labour, mining, begging, herding, agriculture, prostitution, among others.

To tackle the above challenge, JPIIJPC in partnership with Uganda Episcopal Conference (Uganda Catholic Secretariat) and Association of the Religious in Uganda (ARU) with support from Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) have been making efforts to combat the practice through advocacy and support the survivors of practice in Uganda. This year, the network have conducted lobbying meeting at Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Central Police Station; celebration of St. Bakhita Day at Radio Maria, provision of psychosocial support to survivors of trafficking in need and provision of business skills start-up capital to the survivors.

Sr Mary Lilly Driciru and Mr Avuni Alfred, together with TIP survivors in an advocacy meeting at Central Police Station, Kampala

7) Curbing the effect of COVID-19 on refugees and host communities.

“Joy Corporate Boutique” showing the clothes they will be selling

The Centre, in partnership with Catholic Centre for Legal Aid Services (CCLAS) continues to tackle the effect of COVID-19 on the youth in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement under the project titled “Curbing the effect of COVID-19 on refugees and host communities”. The intervention is being implemented in Zone 3, villages 8-16. The project aims to realize a resilient, legally and economically empowered youths in Bidibidi Zone 3 refugee settlement and host community amidst and post COVID-19 pandemic. A number of activities have so far been implemented this year, which included: Sensitization of students on Gender Based Violence; provision of business start-up capital to young men and women which included grinding mill, retail shop business, goat rearing and cloth selling and provision of legal aid services for 8 impact cases on GBV.  The Centre is optimistic that such interventions will help the youth recover fully from the evils created by COVID-19 Pandemic in the settlement and host community.

Paula Likico (Project Officer) during GBV sensitization session at Hill Top Primary School in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

  8) JPIIJPC COVID-19 Intervention

Third Phase of JPIIJPC COVID-19 Emergency Response 

Find copy of the impact of COVID-19 Report (Report on the Impact of Covid-19

Handover of hygienic materials in Bidibidi Zone 3

The third phase of the intervention “Hygienic Supplies for Prevention of Covid-19 and Food-Support for Covid-19 Patients to South Sudanese Refugees and Host communities in Bidibidi and Imvepi Settlements in Arua Diocese” started on December 13^th, 2021 and concluded on 12^th April, 2022, supported by Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. It was triggered as a result of the outbreak of the third wave of COVID-19 within the refugee settlements and host community. It aimed to to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the refugees and host community by the distribution of hygienic materials (sanitizers, face masks, liquid soap) and to enhance the dietary of COVID-19 refugee patients in Imvepi and Bidibidi settlements’ isolation centres and home-based with food items.

The team systematically distributed hygienic materials to the selected beneficiary areas in the settlements. The Centre distributed 1,502 litres of sanitizers, 400 20 litres jerricans of liquid soap and 15,020 piece of reusable face masks

To enhance the dietary of COVID-19 refugee patients, the Centre distributed 178 trays of eggs, 358.5 kilograms of sugar, 269 boxes of mineral water and 187 boxes of Lato Parked Milk. The food items were distributed to isolation Centres, which included APO, Amagatuti Isolation Centres and Bijo Protection House in the settlement.

The Centre intervened exactly according to the objectives and satisfied that the set targets have been met, this is because the targeted beneficiaries were served accordingly. Also, the intervention against the deadly third wave by JPIIJPC was timely, it has managed to save many from contracting the virus and as well improved the dietary of COVID-19 patients in the isolation Centres and homes in the settlement.

Handover of food items at Apo isolation Centre

Critical Interventions

1) Promotion of Social Cohesion among South Sudan Refugees and with the hosting Communities in Bidibidi and Imvepi Settlements

A drama scene recording in Imvepi Zone 1. (Husband and quarreling over the disappearance of the food given to them by the WFP.)

JPIIJPC continues to promote peaceful coexistence between the refugees and the hosting communities in Arua Diocese, particularly Imvepi and Bidibidi Settlements. To achieve the objective of “Engineering the generation and documentation of pro peace and reconciliation films, music, dance and drama”, in march 2021, the Centre conducted the activity of Shooting/producing films, documentaries and Music, dance and drama videos. The filmed drama and play activities covered a number of important community issues like; early marriage, gender discrimination, cheating, stealing, disunity, peace, diversity, drug abuse, GBV, tribal conflict and abortion, among other important issues. The Centre believes that, its intervention to promote peace through MDD will advance peace and help resolve issues of conflict within the settlements and hosting communities.

2) Inter Communities Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue for Peaceful Co-Existence Between the Host Community and the Refugees on Attitude of Youth towards supporting their Parents in a Covid 19 Period. 

A mother expressing her concerns on the behaviors of youth not supporting their parents

In order to achieve the objective of “Conducting community peace education in transforming the mind-sets that promote conflict, division and war” JPIIJPC conducted an “Inter Communities Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue for Peaceful Co-Existence Between the Host Community and the Refugees on Attitude of Youth towards supporting their Parents in a Covid 19 Period”. The activity was conducted in Bidibidi Settlement Zone 3.

The main aim of the dialogue was to have peaceful reconciliations at the grass root level so as to attain collaborative networks for peaceful co-existence between the host community and the refugees and also between the youth and their families during this COVID-19 Pandemic. it aimed at finding a suitable solution to the challenges that are accruing between the youth and their families fuelled by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the settlement. Major issues discussed include drug abuse, early pregnancy, defilement, stealing, among other potential conflict sparking acts in the settlement and host communities.

Combating Human Trafficking in Uganda

Survivors during training

On 8th February 2021, the world celebrated, International day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking (ST. Josephine Bakhita). JPIIJPC held a press conference to highlight the status oh human trafficking in Uganda.

Find copy of the press briefing  (Press Breifing)  

JPIIJPC in partnership with the Uganda Episcopal Conference (Uganda Catholic Secretariat) with the support of Wheaton Franciscan Sisters (WFS) Ministry Fund started the implementation of the project titled “Combating Human Trafficking in Uganda” on 11^th November 2020. The project aims to combat human trafficking and any form of slavery in Uganda. See more…

 STRATEGIC PLAN

Strategic plan-2023-2027

This is the fourth Strategic Plan (SP) of John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre which runs from 2023 to 2027. It reflects the goal of the Centre of the pursuit of a just and peaceful society in Uganda. Like most Strategic Plans, therefore, it is a tool for advancement of the mission and goal of the Centre, providing useful direction for attainment of its objectives. The Strategic Plan reflects a pastoral context that calls for more boldness in confronting the array of political, economic and social issues affecting the country. It highlights the variety of actions to be taken by the Centre, and with other stakeholders, to influence positive change for all.

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