Kasunga XI Leaders Retreat Kick-off in Fort-Portal
By; Basaija Idd:
The annual Kasunga leaders retreat has started in Fort Portal Tourism City with a call for peaceful regional development.
The Kasunga retreat was started in 2006 by Kabarole Research and Resource Centre-KRC-Uganda, a local non-government organization with the goal of bringing together leaders from various political backgrounds to debate regional development goals.
Since then, among other dignitaries, the platform has brought together representatives of the central government, lower local governments, and religious and cultural leaders.
This year’s retreat is organized in conjunction with Creation Forum Afrika-CAF with funding from the United States Agency for International Development-USAID under the theme of Transformative Leadership for Peaceful Regional Development.
At least 150 participants are expected to grace the two-day retreat happening at Mountains of the Moon Hotel.
Beatrice Kiraso, the chairperson of the Board of Directors of KRC-Uganda and former Kabarole District Woman MP said the objective of this year’s retreat includes the generation of consensus on regional interventions to promote peaceful and quality leadership during and after the 2026 general elections.
She added that the retreat also seeks to harness the role of actors in propagating peaceful, sustainable and environmentally friend development and harness efforts that deter and manage conflict, malnutrition and stuntedness among the children at household and community levels.
Sam Kalamiah, the Team Leader at CAF noted that the Rwenzori region has experienced hotspots, tensions and manifestations of conflict and as we approach the general elections, the stakes are already high.
He called on the electorates to reject politics of hate and differences and celebrate diversity as a source of strength.
Harriet Musoke, the Chief of the Party at Ugandans for Peace Activity said partners are coming together to complement the government in efforts to create peaceful elections.
“The lack of peace in the Rwenzori region is going to affect the whole of Uganda, we will contribute to peace, development and co-existence” Musoke noted.
Dr. Samson Barigye, who is representing USAID in the retreat said they are pleased to contribute towards a violent free election cycle.
The retreat is closing on Friday with key resolutions to push the agenda for peaceful elections.
