Over 2,000 Rotarians and Rotaractors, well-wishers and friends of Makerere participated in a 5-km peace walk organized by the Rotary Peace Center at Makerere University , Rotary Uganda, in collaboration with the Rotary Foundation on Saturday 11th January 2025.The Peace Walk was part of the celebrations honoring the visit of Rotary International President Stephania Urchick.
Urchick flagged of the Walk at the Makerere University main building. “ I am ready for the peace Walk. I am here to make sure that we get to the start line. Enjoy the walk and remember that you are helping to make peace possible. You are peace builders today,” Urchick said.
The Peaceful Peace Walk aimed to promote peace and unity within the community and started and end at Makerere University. “ Let us walk for peace” The Vice Chancellor stated a few minutes to the commencement of the walk.
Rotary Uganda, in collaboration with the Rotary Foundation, hosted the Peace Symposium and the 7th Capstone Conference on January 10, 2025, calling on Rotarians and global citizens to champion peace as the foundation for societal transformation.
The event underscored peace as a bedrock for human progress and prosperity. The hybrid event aimed to raise $500,000 to support the sustainability of the Makerere Rotary Peace Centre, which has been a key institution in peacebuilding and conflict resolution since its founding in 2020.
The symposium and Peace walk aligns with Rotary International's broader mission of peace and conflict resolution. It is not just a fundraising event but a platform to unite efforts for lasting peace in Africa.
Rotarian Mike Sebalu explained that the peace walk was in commemoration of the visit of the Rotary International President and also a celebration of five years of the Rotary Peace Center.
“It became five a day before yesterday, so we are celebrating it. But more importantly, to underscore the seven areas of focus of Rotary International, which include peace and conflict resolution, maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment, the environment, water and sanitation, and economic and community development,” said Chairman of the Rotary Peace Walk, Rotarian Mike Sebalu.
Sebalu underscored the value of providing the basic needs for humanity saying the provision of water, dealing with the environmental challenges, fighting poverty, and prevention of diseases ultimately creates peace.
“ So, we were simply reminding ourselves that we need peace, because with peace, everything is possible. With peace, transformation is possible; with peace, development is possible; with peace, everything can happen. So basically, that is the message that let’s all work for peace, because we need it and it is the right thing to do,” he explained
The Makerere Rotary Peace Centre, the first of its kind in Africa, was established following a 2020 memorandum of understanding signed between Makerere University and the Rotary Foundation.
The center provides comprehensive training, networking opportunities, and practical experience to leaders from around the world. Annually, up to 151 fully funded fellowships are awarded to individuals who study at Rotary's global peace centres.
The Centre at Makerere University has become a crucial hub for training peacebuilders across the continent, with its fellows going on to lead social change initiatives that address key challenges like poverty, education, and youth inclusion. The center has graduated 169 fellows from 46 countries over 10 cohorts.