On 9–10 July 2026, the Centre for Research, Training and Publications (CRTP), Hekima University College, conducted a two-day capacity-building workshop as part of its community outreach programme. The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of parish leaders and Justice & Peace Coordinators to promote peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and reconciliation within their communities.
Led by Patricia Opande (Trainner), the workshop brought together 35 participants from Ugunja Parish, including parish leaders, Justice & Peace Coordinators, Small Christian Community (SCC) leaders, catechists, youth leaders, women leaders, and other parish representatives. As trusted community actors, these leaders play a vital role in fostering dialogue, addressing local conflicts, and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Grounded in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, the training emphasized human dignity, solidarity, justice, participation, and the common good. Through an interactive and participatory learning approach, participants explored the root causes of community conflicts and strengthened their understanding of practical peacebuilding strategies.
Throughout the two-day workshop, participants engaged in presentations, group discussions, practical exercises, and reflection sessions. They applied key conflict analysis tools, including Contextual Analysis, Conflict Tree Analysis, and Onion Analysis, to better understand local conflict dynamics. The training culminated in the development of Parish Peace Action Plans, providing participants with practical roadmaps for addressing priority peacebuilding challenges within their communities.
This workshop reaffirmed the Church’s vital role as a catalyst for peace, justice, and reconciliation while equipping parish leaders with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools needed to build more peaceful, resilient, and cohesive communities in Ugunja Parish and beyond.