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NAWOU Report: Kampala-Johannesburg Women's Peace Train, August 15-16, 2002
PEACE as a theme for Ugandan women at the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD)
When the idea of the Women's Peace Train started during the preparations for
the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) by African Women, the National Association of Women Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU) did not hesitate to be part of it. We agreed to be one of the seven focal
points in Africa to work with Litha Labantu based in South Africa and the
African Center for Empowerment, Gender and Advocacy (AC-EGA) in Nairobi to
campaign for peace in the world. The Peace Train was one of the
activities to take place in Johannesburg at the Women's Tent during
the World Summit for Sustainable Development.
In addition to marking the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), the Peace Train project was an activity to mark 10 years of existence for the National Association of Women Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU). Following is a report on the Peace Train activities in Uganda.
Background
The idea of the Women's Peace Train started at the second Preparatory
Committee for the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) by the
African women in New York. This is not the first time women are organising
an inter-country train to mobilise around a global event. In 1915 women had
a Peace Ship from North America to Europe, in 1995 a Peace Train started
from Helsinki/Scandinavia to Beijing, China. Kampala was the starting point
for the Peace Train to Johannesburg.
The objective of the Train was to pass on a strong message to the African
leaders, war mongers, armies, guerrillas and traders in big and small arms
on the African continent that African women want peace and stability for
their children and future generations and to call upon the ringleaders and
perpetrators of these wars to end them forthwith.
Women in Africa bear the brunt of the war burden and therefore saw the WSSD
as a good opportunity to campaign for the end of wars. The women of Uganda
have and continue to suffer from wars, so they joined those in the Great Lakes
Region and Africa in general, to use the Peace Train (PT) to pass on the
message to people in Uganda, in the continent and in the rest of the world.
The Peace Train was also a key component of the Women's Tent in the WSSD and
was to mobilise support from men and women in countries it will pass through.
Women who have been affected by wars will participate in the call for peace.
The Peace Train traveled through six countries namely: Uganda, Kenya,
Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana to enter South Africa on August 25th
2002 in time for the start of the WSSD.
From Kampala the train was scheduled to make stop-overs at Jinja, Iganga,
Busembatia through Budumba, Tororo and then Malaba-Kenya. There would be
brief ceremonies at these stations. The Train's arrival in Johannesburg
would be a key event in the Women's Tent opening Programme.
Matching from Constitution Square to the Uganda Railways Corporation headquarters, Kampala
The women of Uganda under the leadership of National Association of Women
Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU) marched through Kampala road to welcome the
Peace Train and receive the Peace Torch.
The match was flagged off by the State Minister for Ethics and Integrity,
Hon. Miria Matembe, who is also Woman MP for Mbarara District. Omega Brass
band and the Police force led the matches from the National Constitutional
Square to the Uganda Railways co-operation headquarters, holding placards
and banners with messages of peace. Matchers included women from war torn
areas of Uganda, i.e., Gulu, Arua, Kasese, Katakwi, Kotido, Moroto,
Nakapiripirit and from the NAWOU district networks like Mubende, Mpigi and
Kampala. Also in attendance were the NAWOU NGO members notably the Network
of Disabled Women, with their banner "War causes Disability", the deaf and
their interpreters, those on wheel chairs, crutches, etc. School children
from Kyagwe road Primary School, Omega Primary school and Joy Primary
School attended.
The Minister in her speech emphasized that women involvement in peace
negotiations is important.
Peace Train Launch
The Women's Peace Train to the WSSD in Johannesburg started in Kampala
Uganda on 15th August and run through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia,
Mozambique, Botswana and finally to South Africa - Johannesburg in time for
the WSSD on 25th August 2002.
The objectives of the Women's Peace Train was to carry a peace torch from
the war torn Great Lakes Region to Johannesburg and to use the torch as a
symbol for peace. The peace torch passed on a strong message to the
continent leaders, men, women and the youth in different countries that
African women want peace and stability for their children and future
generations and called upon the ring leaders and perpetrators of these wars
to end them forthwith.
Women of Africa bear the brunt of the war burden so they saw the WSSD as a
good opportunity to campaign for the end of wars in Africa, the Peace Train
passed on the Peace message to people in the continent and the rest of the
world.
The launching and receiving of the Peace Torch ceremony was held at the
Uganda Railways Coorporation station/offices on the 15th August 2002.
The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda Hon. Rebecca Kadaga
represented H.E. the President of Uganda Yoweri K. Museveni who was on a
Peace building mission in Gulu, Northern Uganda. Gulu is a district that
has been affected by insecurity and wars for the last fifteen years. The
Deputy Speaker delivered the President's speech but emphasized that the
media should stop reporting about the former girl children abductees as
Kony's wives because they are forced into marriage and so should be
referred to as abductees.
"Why don't you call male abductees Kony's in-laws and yet you call the
girls Kony's wives."
Present also was the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon.
Zoe Bakoko Bakoru whose Ministry worked closely with NAWOU in preparation
for the Women Peace Train. In her remarks she emphasized the importance of
women as peace negotiators and thus the need for government to recognise
their role and include them on peace negotiation tables.
Also present was the State Minister for Environment Hon. Maria Mutagamba
who gave a brief on the WSSD as she had attended the Summit PrepComs. In
attendance also was Hon. Benigna Mukibi the State Minister for Public
Service who had attended some of the WSSD Prepcoms.
The Chairperson UWOPA (Uganda Women Parliamentarians Association) requested
women to participate in peace building and ending of conflicts by
discouraging their husbands, sons and male relatives from joining rebel
groups. She also emphasized that peace negotiations have to go on
alongside the government fighting back the rebels because rebels never stop.
Among the Members of Parliament who attended the function were those
representing war torn districts: Hon. Lochiam Rose (Woman MP, Moroto District, Karamoja region) and
Hon. Mindra Joyo Eugenia (Woman MP, Moyo District).
Speeches, dances and songs characterized the Launch of the Peace Train.
Receiving of the Peace Torch from the Rwanda Delegation
On the arrival of the Chief Guest, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the Uganda National Anthem was sang
followed by the Uganda Women's Anthem.
The Peace Torch was brought by ladies from the Republic of Rwanda of the
Profemmes - Twese Hamwe, the umbrella of women NGOs and groups in
Rwanda. They were accompanied by the Rwanda Ambassador to Uganda. The
Rwandese torch bearer held the lit torch high as she lead her delegation
amidst ululations from the Ugandan women welcoming the torch.
The delegation had female youth delegates who carried the Rwanda flag.
The torch was then handed to the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the
Republic of Uganda who received it with pride and humility and pledged
Uganda government's commitment to keeping peace and supporting peace keeping
in Uganda.
The torch was then handed over to the Ugandan Torch bearers, ladies from Gulu
and West Nile, who were to hand it over to the Kenyans.
Launch and welcoming the train
The train was welcomed by Ugandans and the delegates from Rwanda, the
Deputy Speaker of Parliament cut the ribbon amidst songs of peace,
ululation, playing of the band.
The ministers present, Hon. Loyce Bwambale - the chairperson Uganda Women
Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), the Rwanda Ambassodor to Uganda, and the
Deputy Speaker boarded the train and were driven to the parking.
The Kenyan delegation which came on the train joined the function and were
welcomed.
Delegates from Rwanda and Kenya were amazed at the vigour, solidarity and
momentum of the women movement in Uganda.
The theme song for the day composed by Joanita Kawalya Muganga of Afrigo
Band was performed with the children of Joy Primary School. The title was
"Twewale Okulwana" which literally means "Avoid fighting". Other groups
that performed were Kisenyi Women's group and Mulago II Women's group.
The congregation joined in the song affirming their commitment to making
peace an commitment to lobby for Peace.
The role of NAWOU was the Uganda focal point for preparations of the Women's Peace
Train to the WSSD.
NAWOU played a role of mobilizing support for the initiative, coordination
with other countries that were involved especially Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania
and Zambia. NAWOU brought together members of the civil society, central
government, local government and security organs for this cause. Meetings
were held in preparation for the occasion, a lot of fundraising was
done. But most importantly making sure that there was a train to start in
Kampala, Uganda as originally planned by initiators of the Women's Peace
Train project -- in view of the fact that Uganda Railways Co-operation no
longer operate passenger coaches. Negotiations were made between Uganda
Railways and Kenya Railways to provide the train for the project.
NAWOU also mobilized signatures for the petition for Global peace, which
was signed at the July 2002 Women's World Congress to be presented to the leaders at the summit.
Flagging off of the train
The flagging off of the peace train took place on the morning of 16th
August 2002 by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon.
Zoe Bakoko Bakoru. The Minister commissioned the Peace Train to travel
down through six countries to Johannesburg in South Africa carrying a Peace
Torch which was provided by UNIFEM in New York. The train was to convey a
message of peace from African women to the Heads of states and delegates
attending the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) that is being
convened in Johannesburg from 26th August - 4th September 2002.
The train made several stops in Uganda as it meandered through the green
countryside to Malaba, Kenya. At every stop, it was welcomed by cheering
crowds of women, school children and local officials of the relevant
districts. The train made stops in Jinja, Iganga and Tororo before
reaching Malaba, Kenya.
In the above districts through the mobilization of the NAWOU chairpersons,
they organised matches through their towns to the railway station.
Brief ceremonies were conducted at every stop and a message of peace
delivered by the NAWOU President and the District officials of the
respective districts.
There was a lot of music and dancing as the crowds matched with their
placards with Peace messages.
Conclusion
The Peace message was shared by many people and women realised their
role in bringing about peace and were stimulated to start thinking
about peace as a prerequisite for development.
Visit the photo gallery for pictures of the Peace Train events:
FIRE Covers Women's Peace Train Through Africa, Margaret Thompson
[Source: http://www.fire.or.cr/agosto02/ingles/peacetrain.html, August 2002]
Women from several African countries are escorting a Women's Peace Train on a
multi-country journey from Rwanda to South Africa, demanding an end to wars and
conflict in their countries, promoting the strong message that without peace,
there can be no sustainable development. A peace torch is being passed by the
women across every frontier, starting in Rwanda, continuing on through Uganda,
Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and arriving in Johannesburg, South
Africa in time for the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD),
August 27-September 4, 2002.
Feminist International Radio Endeavour (FIRE) is presently covering the
Women's Peace Train via cell phone and Internet, with interviews with
women from the various African countries, and will meet the women from
the train in person in Johannesburg, South Africa, when it arrives
there. FIRE will cover an afternoon presentation by participants in
the Peace Train on Monday, August 26th from the Women's Tent at the
WSSD in Johannesburg.
According to Sadre Twinomugisha of NAWOU (National Association of Women's
Organizations in Uganda), which is serving as one of the focal points for the
peace train, "We women look at it that with development when we don't have
peace is not development at all. Because when you develop your city and your
country, and in a few years war breaks out, you go back to square one. So as
women we decided that what we need is peace before you get development, because
if we have a peaceful world, then development will definitely come."
Litha Musyimi-Agana of Kenya as she explains via cell phone from Kampala,
Uganda, the goal of the peace train and what motivates the women to lead this
peace effort. Litha is Regional Director of AC-EGA (African Center for
Empowerment Gender & Advocacy) of Kenya, the main organizer of the peace train,
which left Kampala on August 16th and is scheduled to arrive in Johannesburg on
or about August 27th.
Sadre as she reports via cell phone on the ceremonies for the passage of the
peace torch from the Rwandan women to the Ugandan women on August 16th at the
train station in Kampala, Uganda