Hundreds of young Ugandans have joined a new campaign aimed at strengthening peacebuilding efforts and promoting unity across the country.
The initiative, launched in Kampala by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) through its youth arm, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), seeks to empower young people to take the lead in creating peaceful and resilient communities.
During the launch ceremony held at St. Francis Chapel, HWPL formalised partnerships with several local youth groups, including Hope for Youth Uganda and the Uganda Muslim Youth Transformation Association, signing memoranda of understanding to collaborate on peace programmes over the next three years.
Speaking at the event, Mupenzi Maena Adolph, the IPYG Uganda Manager, said the project will use education, dialogue, and community action to nurture young peace champions.
“Our goal is to equip youth with the knowledge and confidence to resolve conflicts peacefully and to drive positive change within their communities,” Mupenzi said. He noted that planned activities include peace education workshops, tree-planting drives, and clean-up campaigns to link environmental action with peacebuilding.
Representatives from HWPL emphasised that achieving lasting peace requires collaboration across society. “Peace is not only the responsibility of governments but also of citizens, especially young people,” said Lim, an HWPL representative. “When youth take ownership of peace, they become catalysts for transformation.”
The campaign builds on HWPL’s global peace education framework, which encourages inter-religious dialogue, community service, and volunteerism. In Uganda, organisers say the approach will focus on promoting tolerance and civic responsibility among youth from diverse backgrounds.
Participants pledged to extend the campaign to schools, refugee communities, and rural areas, ensuring that peace education reaches as many young people as possible.
Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with more than 75 per cent under the age of 30. Experts say involving them in peacebuilding is vital to curbing violence, extremism, and political unrest.
HWPL’s youth campaign joins a growing wave of national efforts where young Ugandans are stepping forward to promote dialogue, coexistence, and community rebuilding.
As the new peace champions prepare to roll out activities in different districts, organisers say their collective message remains simple but powerful: peace begins with the choices and voices of the youth.