KAMPALA– Yesterday, over 4,000 Youth peace advocates gathered at Makerere University Play ground to commemorate the 12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace (DWP) under the theme “One World, One Peace.”
The event, organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Uganda in partnership with Faras, Vision for Africa, and the Miss Uganda Foundation, aimed at promoting peace among the youth through sports and entertainment as tools for unity and social transformation.
Speaking at the event, Davis Nsenga, Deputy Branch Manager of HWPL Uganda, highlighted the importance of engaging youth in positive initiatives during the tense pre-election period.
“We partnered with organizations like Bio Vision Africa, Mengo Youth Development Link, Faras, and the Miss Uganda Foundation to bring more than 4,000 youth together,” he added.
Nsenga expressed concern over youth involvement in harmful activities during political seasons.
“Many youth are engaged in activities that end up landing them in jail. But with constructive events like football, netball, and volleyball, we believe we can help divert them toward more positive and peaceful paths,” he added.
He also called upon national leaders and institutions to endorse the DWP through a symbolic Peace Letter campaign.
“Our guests and VIPs signed a peace letter sent to the President, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. If Uganda supports this declaration, we can be part of an international movement to have this law enacted under the UN as an international law,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Geoffrey Kamese, also a Deputy Manager at HWPL Uganda, urged the government and citizens to prioritize peace.
“Our request to the government is to ensure that all Ugandans, wherever they will be, enjoy peace as we head toward the 2026 elections. We ask that the rights of Ugandans are protected, and that we exit the election period in a peaceful manner,” Kamese noted.
He emphasized HWPL’s core message of unity.
“Our motto is ‘We Are One.’ Regardless of our differences, we remain Ugandans. Let us respect each other and be as peaceful as we can during these elections.”
Pascal Lutaaya, Director of Mengo Youth Development Link, urged civil society organizations to prioritize peace in their outreach programs.
“Every civil society organization must come up with a word of peace and make peace a priority in all their endeavors,” Lutaaya said.
“No organization should mobilize youth toward violence. Instead, they should unite young people for peace and harmony so that the upcoming elections are peaceful. Young people are being fed a lot of harmful information; they must instead be empowered to talk about peace,” Lutaaya added.
Miss Uganda 1st Runner-Up, Suraya Umeimah, praised HWPL Uganda for championing youth involvement in peacebuilding.
“This initiative ensures that Ugandans especially the youth are at the forefront of promoting peace,” she said.
“Since we are heading into election times, I advise youth to stop spreading misinformation. Always verify the source of the content you’re consuming. Is it certified? Be careful. We are the future of this nation. We need to respect each other regardless of gender, religion, or color. At the end of the day, we are all Ugandans, and we must pave a peaceful way for our children and future generations.”
In his remarks, Daniel Wuri, HWPL Uganda Director, reflected on the global journey of peace initiated 12 years ago.
“That journey began in a nation 10,000 kilometers away, yet today we feel its impact here,” Wuri said.
Wuri called for unity noting that peace is not a mission of one person. “Let us remember that peace is not a mission of one person alone. As our chairman always says, ‘We Are One.’ Peace can only be realized when we come together in one purpose and one heart.”
