The relationship between poverty, conflict, and the challenges of peace building in Katakwi District

Abstract

This study focuses on the relationship between poverty, conflict and challenges of peace building in Katakwi district. It provides an overview of the main concepts, approaches and initiatives for sustainable peace and establishes the linkage between poverty and conflict, peace building and poverty eradication programmes. It identifies the level of poverty trends; the different causes of poverty and insecurity; challenges of sustainable peace building and development and proposes recommendations for implementation. It should be noted at the on-set that even though this study emphasizes poverty, conflict and challenges of peace building in Katakwi district, consideration is put to the linkages this has across the district boundaries and beyond. This study gives attention to the different perceptions of people in Katakwi district about the relationship between poverty, conflict, and challenges of peace building in the district as a way of getting diversified views and perceptions on the causes, effects and possible solutions to poverty, and conflict in the district. Also the study establishes the specific roles of women as major contributors to social economic development and post conflict reconstruction in the district. Other major different actors and players are also considered in their efforts of contributing and promoting of poverty reduction campaigns and peace building through dialogue and reconciliation. These include; central government and local government; NGOs, CBOs, religious organizations, local peace initiatives and clan elders. Their successes, failures and the factors that can foster their work have also been identified and discussed. Finally, the study makes recommendations that can be an eye opener for different actors who are involved in peace building, poverty reduction, conflict prevention and management, conflict resolution and reconciliation within Katakwi district and possibly in the entire Teso sub-region. In addition, the study can be used as reference by the new entrants in poverty reduction, post-conflict transformation and sustainable socio-economic recovery and peace building and development initiative in the sub-region. Much as the recommendations may not be conclusive, they can expedite efforts of decision makers and other players in designing of poverty strategic action plan and conflict resolution and transformation of local communities into a modern society free from obstacles to self- reliance.