From Global Commitments to Local Action: Uganda’s Pioneering Journey in Advancing Women, Peace and Security

Twenty-five years after the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Uganda stands out as a regional leader in translating this global commitment into tangible change.

Uganda’s journey began in 2008 when it became the second African country—and the first in East and Southern Africa—to adopt a National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security. Now implementing its third NAP (2021–2025), Uganda’s efforts are globally recognized for their high impact and innovative approach.

Uganda stands out for translating national WPS commitments into measurable local results. Under the 3rd NAP, 20 districts have developed and adopted Local Action Plans (LAPs) that operationalize the WPS agenda, enhancing local ownership and accountability. This has strengthened commitment, coordination, resource allocation, and gender-responsive action at district level, contributing to sustained implementation of the 3rd NAP. This demonstrates how localization of the WPS agenda translates strategic commitments into sustained results on the ground, anchored in local leadership and accountability. Sixteen of these LAPs were developed with support from UN Women and generous funding from the Government of Norway. In some districts, local leadership has gone a step further by allocating 1% of locally raised resources to LAP implementation—a powerful demonstration of ownership and commitment to advancing the WPS agenda. 

The LAP development process is deeply participatory, placing women at the heart of planning and implementation. Women’s rights organizations collaborate closely with district local governments, ensuring that the plans reflect the lived realities of women and prioritize their most pressing concerns.

Rev. Alice Nabirye, a religious leader in Kasese district, Western Uganda, stands out as a key figure in the localisation of UNSCR 1325 in Uganda. In 2021, she was identified by the Kasese district local government to join the taskforce responsible for developing the district’s LAP. As a member of the LAP taskforce, Rev. Alice played a pivotal role in identifying and articulating the key conflict issues affecting women in Kasese. Her contributions helped ensure that the LAP addressed three critical areas: land conflicts, natural disaster-induced conflicts, and the rising cases of gender-based violence. Her advocacy ensured that these issues were not only documented but translated into concrete interventions within local peacebuilding structures, leading to greater inclusion of women’s perspectives in district conflict-resolution processes.
 

Despite significant progress, structural and systemic barriers continue to hinder women’s full participation in peace processes. A 2022 UN Women study found that patriarchy—reinforced by cultural and religious norms—remains the single greatest challenge to women’s robust involvement in decision-making and peacebuilding.

Judith Edea, a Women Peace Mediator in Adjumani district, in the West Nile region of north-western Uganda, has successfully resolved multiple conflicts, including a long-standing land dispute that had stalled in the court system. “Despite my success, I still face challenges, particularly due to patriarchal attitudes that undervalue women in mediation roles,” she says. “Many men initially struggled to accept me as a woman mediator, but my training and approach have demonstrated that women can handle conflict cases with skill and expertise.”

These entrenched attitudes often view women as inferior, limiting their influence in spaces where their voices are most needed. Yet, stories like Judith’s show that change is possible when women are given the tools and platforms to lead.

Looking ahead, as Uganda marks 25 years of UNSCR 1325, the country’s experience offers valuable lessons in translating international policy into local action. The success of the LAPs, the commitment of district governments, and the resilience of women peacebuilders illustrate how women’s localized action can sustain peace and social cohesion. These results signal a future where women are not only participants but recognized leaders and decision-makers, driving inclusive peace and security across Uganda.

UN Women will continue to prioritize building the capacity of women to lead in peace and mediation processes—because, as the saying goes, when women lead, peace follows.