Committing to Peace in Uganda: Historic National Peace Pledge Summit Brings Hope for the Future
On October 25, 2024, IRI held the first-ever National Peace Pledge Summit in Kampala, Uganda that brought together over 500 stakeholders, to sign the National Peace Pledge, a commitment to abstain from violence ahead of the 2026 elections. This historic event is intended to mitigate electoral violence in a country that has yet to have a peaceful transfer of power.
The National Peace Pledge Summit united representatives from all 26 registered political parties under one roof, alongside religious and cultural leaders, youth and women’s groups, media, diplomatic missions, and development partners. The signing also drew a broad range of high-level stakeholders including three cabinet ministers, U.S. Ambassador William W. Popp, diplomatic mission representatives from over 15 missions, ICC and UN representatives, and major INGO representatives. This strong turnout of domestic and international stakeholders underscores the collective interest in and commitment to peace in Uganda, particularly ahead of the 2026 elections.
Building Buy-in
The Summit is a cornerstone initiative of the Promoting Peace Activity (PPA), a USAID-funded program that began in December 2023. As part of its Conflict and Violence Prevention Program, IRI launched the project with a comprehensive baseline study to identify the drivers of conflict and violence in Uganda and mapped key actors. In May 2024, IRI convened key stakeholders for a baseline report launch event which served as a platform for dialogue and set the stage for more extensive consultations. Over five months, IRI conducted 69 stakeholder consultations and political dialogues and held three pre-summit conferences with a wide range of stakeholders, including political parties, religious and cultural leaders, government agencies, youth and women’s organizations, security forces, and media representatives. The baseline study, consultations, and pre-summit conferences built the framework for the Summit, shaping the Peace Pledge document and secured the buy-in of signatories. Following the final pre-summit conference and ahead of the Summit, the government released 130 prisoners as a show of good faith, a concrete example of this buy-in.
Today’s event reflects not only your expertise but also the trust and relationships you have built across civil society and the political spectrum. IRI has identified shared values and objectives that unite Ugandans around peace.
– U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp
Pledge for Peace an Important Step Forward but Long-Term Commitment is Key
The National Peace Pledge itself, though legally non-binding, symbolizes a collective commitment to dialogue, inclusivity, and non-violence, laying the groundwork for a peaceful electoral process ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general election. Since multi-party elections returned to Uganda, elections have been marred by violence. The 2021 election was one of the most violent on record, with at least 53 people reported killed during the electoral period. The signing of the pledge by a diverse group of key stakeholders represents a step in the right direction.
Notably during the Summit, the Minister of Internal Affairs and head of the National Security Council, Hon. Major General Kahinda Otafiire promised that the government will not prevent political activities ahead of the 2026 elections, while the Electoral Commission promised transparency in its voter register. Both are important commitments to keeping elections competitive.
While the Summit was undoubtedly a major milestone achievement, the true success of the pledge will be measured by the adherence of its signatories. Recent political developments illustrate the importance of the peace pledge and the need to monitor its adherence. IRI will build upon this event by continuing to work with stakeholders to uphold the NPP and foster a culture of peace.
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