Preventing Conflict Through Collaboration in East Africa: the Case of Catholic Justice and Peace Commission and the Governments of Kenya and Uganda (2007-2017)

Abstract

The study aims to critically analyze the type of collaboration between Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) and the Governments of Kenya and Uganda in conflict prevention. The main focus is Gulu region, Northern Uganda especially Adjumani and Amuru areas in Uganda and Nairobi City County in Kenya especially; Kibera, Kariobangi and Mathare. The main objective is to examine the motivating factors leading to this collaboration between the CJPC, Government of Kenya, Uganda and the areas of collaboration and the indicators of collaboration. In the study, the Functionalist Approach has been used where one hypothesis was tested; The CJPC and the Government of Kenya and Uganda are collaborating in preventing conflicts in Nairobi City County and Gulu Region, the CJPC and the Government of Kenya and Uganda have specific areas of collaboration and there are indicators that implies that collaboration is taking place between the CJPC and the Government of Kenya and Uganda. The research design included the use of questionnaires, interview schedules, and focus group discussions to collect data from the participants. The researcher used purposive and simple random sampling methods to sample 36 participants. The data which was collected was critically analyzed in consideration of the objectives of the study. From the research, the study confirmed that, there is positive collaboration between the CJPC and the Governments of Kenya and Uganda. However, the study found out that, there are institutional weaknesses within CJPC and the two Governments which act as an impediment to effectiveness in conflict prevention. Based on the research findings, the study recommends the strengthening of the CJPC as an institution in Catholic Church in term of finances and human resources to handle issues of conflict prevention effectively. For the two Governments, there is need to establish conflict transformation centers. The purpose of this will be to respond to day and day issues before conflict arises and expediting the response of the institutions during conflict.