Bearing in mind the religious wars of pre-independence Uganda, as well as the land, religious, ethnic, and political conflicts of the post -independence era, it is evident that Uganda is no stranger to violent conflict.
The contemporary challenges of violent extremism and terrorism have only served to complicate the peace & security landscape. The country registered the largest deterioration in the Global Terrorism Index score in 2021 which was directly attributed to the back-to-back terrorist attacks that claimed 7 lives and injured 37 people between August and November 2021. Via its media agency Amaq, Islamic State said the attackers were all Ugandan foot soldiers of its so-called caliphate. Even more recently, the country was engulfed in shock and grief when suspected Allied Democratic Forces terrorists attacked Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe, Kasese on 16 June 2023. A total of 38 students lost their lives, 17 of whom were burnt beyond recognition.
While we may never be able to tell the full extent of the legacies of these heinous events, this stories exhibition seeks to shine a light on the plight of some of the victims, inspire action in advancement of their rights, and to heighten community awareness of the effects of engaging in violent extremist and terrorist activities. It is also our hope that through this effort, those who have lost loved ones due to terrorist attacks, the wounded, the witnesses, the first responders, and their families feel recognized and remembered.
This initiative is implemented as part of the Bridges to Peace Project by the Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation. The Bridges to Peace project is a multi-faceted Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism action working with victims of terrorism, civil society actors, media, influencers, and violent extremism at-risk communities to strengthen local capacities for peace and address the root causes of violent extremism. Both the Bridges to Peace Project and the Stories of Terror Community Stories exhibition are funded by the European Union.