Today, September 21st, the world pauses to mark the International Day of Peace … a day not just for reflection, but for resolve. The United Nations’ theme this year, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” is a rallying cry for communities across the globe to move beyond platitudes and into purposeful action. In Uganda, where the countdown to the 2026 national elections has begun, this call could not be more timely, or more urgent.
Peace is not a distant dream reserved for diplomats and declarations. It is a daily decision, shaped by how we speak, how we lead, and how we engage, especially in the digital spaces that now define our civic lives. Uganda’s youth, who make up over 75% of the population, are increasingly turning to social media and messaging platforms to express their views, mobilize peers, and hold leaders accountable. But with this power comes responsibility.
The digital arena can be a force for unity, but it can also fuel division. Hate speech, misinformation, and online harassment are not just disruptive, they are dangerous. They erode trust, inflame tensions, and threaten the very fabric of democratic participation. As one student in Fort Portal recently shared during a Digital Democracy Project workshop, “I used to think the internet was just for fun. Now I see it’s also a battlefield, and I want to be a peacekeeper.”
Initiatives like BARO’s Digital Democracy Project are helping young Ugandans become just that. Through school-based trainings, community dialogues, and SMS campaigns, the project is equipping youth with the tools to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. It’s not just about avoiding harm … it’s about actively building peace. As Facilitator Peter put it, “We’re not just teaching digital literacy. We’re teaching digital citizenship.”
This Peace Day, we must recognize that peace is not confined to treaties or town halls. It must extend to comment sections, group chats, and viral threads. It must be visible in how we respond to dissent, how we amplify truth, and how we protect dignity, especially for women, girls, and marginalized voices who are often the first targets of online abuse.
As we approach the 2026 elections, let us remember the words of Wangari Maathai: “You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their own.” The same is true of peace. It must be owned, understood, and practiced—by all of us.
So today, let’s act. Let’s act in our homes, our schools, our communities, and our digital spaces. Let’s act with courage, with compassion, and with clarity. Because peace is not passive. It is powerful. And it begins with us.
Act now … for a peaceful Uganda. Act now … for a peaceful world.
