The effect of civil society peace building initiatives on community conflict resolution in northern Uganda: a case of Acholi religious leader peace initiative, Gulu District
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Date
2026-05-13
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
The study examined the effect of civil society peace building initiatives on community conflict resolution in Northern Uganda; a case of Acholi Religious Leader Peace Initiative (ARLPI). In this regard, the study focused on the following: determining the effect of dialogue facilitation on community conflict resolution in Gulu district, investigating the effect of reconciliation processes on community conflict resolution in Gulu district, and examining the effect of capacity-building programs on community conflict resolution in Gulu district. The study employed a descriptive survey research approach. Moreover, both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were adopted. Furthermore, simple random and purposive sampling methods were used. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 212 respondents who are community members that have benefited from ARLPI peace building initiatives although 200 of them responded to the study. More so, interviews were used to collect data from the key informants who are the management and employees of this organization. It was found that the ARLPI peace-building efforts have made a significant contribution to conflict resolution in the Gulu district community through dialogue involvement,
reconciliation efforts, and capacity building activities. Dialogues improved communication, collaboration, and understanding among the community members, while the reconciliation efforts facilitated forgiveness, relationship restoration, and decreased hostility using traditional justice mechanisms and trauma healing interventions. Moreover, capacity building activities helped to improve the skills of conflict management, mediation, leadership, and conflict prevention among the community members. These peace-building efforts contributed to the enhancement of social cohesiveness, reduction of conflicts, and creation of sustainable peace in the community. The study suggests further improvement and expansion of dialogues, reconciliation efforts, trauma healing activities, and capacity building programs through active participation and continuous training. The study further recommends the need for increased financing and technical
assistance from the government and development partners for sustainable peace building and conflict resolution in Northern Uganda.
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Undergraduate