United Nations coordinator and a representative of United Nations development programme Rosa Malango has promised to collaborate with the government of Uganda and all its ministries to fight against violent extremism.
Over the past decades, violent extremism has dramatically grown around the world including in Africa, but the fact that violent extremism affects Muslims and Muslim communities most therefore, the need to engage religious leaders.
In a two days summit of religious leaders from 10 African countries held at Serena Resort Kigo under the theme countering, responding and preventing violent extremism in Africa, Rosa Malango said ‘’Violent extremism is a contribution to a reversal of Africa’s development and gains, if not addressed, it threatens to curtail development prospects. Fighting it is a collective responsibility and as religious leaders, you are our key partners’’
She added that Political will is critical in maintaining stability and sustaining development in Uganda and Africa as well. At regional level, UNDP Africa has produced a regional strategy for Africa on preventing and responding to violent extremism.
However 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs, Kirunda Kivejinja assured the public that the government of Uganda is committed to fighting violent extremism through its firm stand on terrorism and promotion of peace.
The leader of Muslims in Uganda who showed up in the same summit Sheik Ramadan Mubajje lauded UNDP for organizing such summit to discuss the issues of extremism from a scholarly perspective and the move of any assumptions formed over time.
United Nations development programme (UNDP) is supporting the government of Uganda to develop a national preventing violent extremism strategy with the Ministry of Internal Affairs claiming that working together can eliminate violent extremism from our continent and the world.
‘’We hope to have a re-affirmation of the Abuja declaration 2016 against all forms of extremist activities’’ UN Chief emphasized
