A band team leading a procession during the commemoration of the international day of peace in Arua city. Photo by Sunday Amandi.

By Sunday Amandi

Arua city

Residents of Arua city are called upon to support co-existence to be at peace with everyone in order to have a peaceful community. This call was made on October 3, 2024, at the commemoration of the belated International peace day in the city.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly to honor the significance of peace, as it is the path for bringing growth and prosperity to society, and this year’s day was commemorated under the theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”

At the commemoration in the city, there was a major call to uphold safety and security of women in the communities as they are the most vulnerable in cases of violence,

Jackie Bless, the Uganda project officer for SIHA network says, women still face a lot, and there is a lot to be done, “Peace to us doesn’t just mean the absence of war; it doesn’t mean that if there is no war, there is peace. A Lot happens, there is sexual violence that affects engagement within the city, safety and security is very paramount and it’s been an issues the women have been raising, we still call upon you to protect them from insecurity issues.” Jackie said.

Without peace, it will not be possible to achieve the levels of trust, cooperation and inclusiveness needed for societies to manage disputes.

Superintendent of police Jimmy Anguyo, the regional gender focal person  discourages gender based violence in the communities, and  urges the victims to report the cases to police, for peace to prevail, “Our women and girls are the most vulnerable people, they suffer gender based violence because of their nature, and the perpetrators are the men, make sure you report your case to police, especially the sexual related cases,” said Anguyo.

However, Akwero Jane, a vendor from Driwala market, who represented the market vendors, calls for protection of women market vendors in the private markets in the city, She said some of the markets within the city are not fenced, leading to cases of theft, and the private markets along the streets are risky to the women vendors due to cases of accidents.

Peace and harmony are vital for achieving political strength, economic stability and cultural growth.