PRESS RELEASE - Opening of the WSR Uganda 2021 Physical Situation Rooms
VENUE: Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Central Region), Hotel Triangle Mbarara (Western Region), Churchill Courts Hotel Gulu (Northern Region) and Timisha Hotel Soroti (Eastern Region)
KAMPALA, MBARARA, GULU, and SOROTI: Today,
January 11th 2021, the Women’s Situation Room (WSR) Uganda opens the WSR Uganda
Physical Situation Rooms. The Women’s Situation Room, which was established in
Liberia in 2011 by the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC), is a women-led
early warning and rapid response mechanism to curb violence before, during and
after elections in African countries. It is a non-political platform for women
and youth to mitigate election-related conflict, de-escalate tensions,
facilitate real-time response to violent incidents, and ensure peaceful
elections. This is the second time that
Uganda is implementing the Women’s Situation Room during the electoral cycle,
with the first time in 2016.
Ahead of Uganda’s presidential and
parliamentary elections scheduled for 14th January and as the election period
begins today with the Special Interest Group polls; we are launching our
Physical Situation Rooms to contribute to a peaceful election process by
intervening and mediating in violent and tense situations. While a Physical Situation Room was hosted at
only one location in 2016, this time around, we are establishing ‘Physical
Rooms’ in all the four regions of Uganda. The Situation Rooms will be
physically located in Mbarara for Western Region, Gulu for the Northern Region,
Soroti for the Eastern Region and Kampala for the Central Region for one week
from today to 15th January 2021.
Fear of real or perceived
elections-related violence is a major deterrent for women’s political
participation. The WSR Uganda 2021 Physical Situation Room is an opportunity
for Ugandan women to take peace into their hands and to demonstrate that women
are not just passive victims but are often determined and active stakeholders
in ensuring that peace prevails in the country.
The Situation Rooms will be hosted by
twelve (12) Eminent Women from Uganda and eight (8) Eminent Women from other African
countries. The Eminent Women bring knowledge and experience in mediation and
conflict resolution to ensure a peaceful transition. Prior to the elections,
the Eminent Women held consultations with the Uganda Police Force, political parties,
the Electoral Commission, youth organizations and women’s groups, the media and
other key stakeholders.
Inside the Physical Rooms, visitors will
write peace messages and append their names to the WSR Uganda Peace Cloth to symbolize
their support for peaceful polls. The Physical Rooms will also feature 24-hour
call centres with youth volunteers receiving and recording incident reports
submitted to the widely advertised toll-free lines. The incident reports will
then be forwarded to the Eminent Women for action. Desks for strategic partners
will also be placed in the Physical Rooms including desks for the Uganda Police
and the Electoral Commission. These desks will address incidents reported about
their various institutions.
WSR Uganda 2021 Toll-free lines
Central Region - 0800333433
Eastern Region - 0800333434
Northern Region - 0800333435
Western Region - 0800333436
The WSR will also work with 1,500 women
observers who have been deployed in 30 districts.[1]
Observers and the general public will call the Physical Rooms’ hotline to
report any incidents that disrupt peace during the elections and after polling.
The reports will be analysed by a technical team and given to the Eminent Women
who will then forward to relevant institutions for response.
We continue to urge all Ugandans to say no
to all forms of violence, and keep law and order. We affirm our commitment to
take the lead in pursuing peace during and after the elections.
PEACE IS IN OUR HANDS
Contacts:
The Women’s Situation
Room (WSR) Uganda
Email: info@wsruganda.org
Website: www.wsr-uganda.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WSRUganda
Twitter: @WSR_Uganda
[1]The
2021 Uganda Women’s Situation Room is working in thirty (30) districts
including; Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum, Koboko, Arua, Lamwo, Nwoya, Kampala, Wakiso,
Masaka, Luwero, Mityana, Sembabule, Kassanda, Serere, Iganga, Jinja, Mbale,
Katakwi, Bugiri, Soroti, Hoima, Mbarara, Isingiro, Kasese, Ntungamo, Kabale,
Rukungiri, Kanungu and Rubanda.