Community Empowerment for Peace and Development - CEPAD

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Community Empowerment for Peace and Development - CEPAD Transforming the world through nonviolence

CEPAD-WN is an Indigenous, women-founded, and women-led NGO, established in 2014 by Ugandan feminist peace and conflict scholars to transform lives through nonviolence. Rooted in feminist principles, CEPAD-WN addresses the root causes of violence and inequality by empowering communities to build lasting peace, resilience, and harmony. With a vision of “a nonviolent, peaceful, and inclusive society

,” CEPAD-WN works with women, youth, faith-based organizations, and traditional leaders to foster peace and sustainable development. Through strategic partnerships with governments, CSOs, NGOs, and community leaders, it strengthens institutional and community capacities, ensuring inclusive service delivery and contributing to national and global development goals.

To all our Muslim staff, family and friends, we wish you a peaceful celebrations🌹🙏 fansThe Feminist Humanitarian Network...
20/03/2026

To all our Muslim staff, family and friends, we wish you a peaceful celebrations🌹🙏
fansThe Feminist Humanitarian NetworkOffice of the Prime MinisterZivik Funding ProgrammeWar Child NederlandCARE International in UgandaRural Initiative for Community Empowerment West NileEuropean CommissionPartners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation-PICOTUNHCR UgandaZ Zurich FoundationMusema Inno

I was honoured to speak on the panel “Beyond the Rhetoric: Shifting the Power in Support of GBV Survivors and Centering ...
14/03/2026

I was honoured to speak on the panel “Beyond the Rhetoric: Shifting the Power in Support of GBV Survivors and Centering Women-Led Organisations in Humanitarian Action.”

My intervention focused on the difference between feminist funding and traditional humanitarian financing, drawing from the experience of the Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN) National Platform Uganda.

Every year we gather in Geneva to discuss GBV prevention and response. We acknowledge that women-led organisations are on the frontlines. Yet the system continues to mistrust us.

Women-led organisations are still labelled as “risky.”
Our proposals are rejected—not because they are weak, but because donors simply do not know us.

But behind every rejection is a human reality.

Behind every rejected proposal there is:
• a 26-year-old grandmother
• a 13-year-old mother
• a two-month-old baby

All waiting for justice and protection in Northern Uganda.

Feminist funding is not just about resources. It is about trust, power, and recognising the leadership of women who are already responding to crises in their communities.

If we truly want to shift power, then we must move beyond rhetoric and invest directly in women-led organisations.








fansThe Feminist Humanitarian NetworkOffice of the Prime MinisterZivik Funding ProgrammeWar Child NederlandCARE International in UgandaEuropean CommissionRural Initiative for Community Empowerment West NilePartners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation-PICOTFeminist News

Today at Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week in Geneva, I ended a very long but meaningful day with a handshake ...
11/03/2026

Today at Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week in Geneva, I ended a very long but meaningful day with a handshake with Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.

After introducing myself, I told him that out of the 32 Women’s Rights Organisations in our Feminist Humanitarian Network national platform in Uganda, I am among the first to have the opportunity to speak directly with him and listen to his reflections.

He asked me why.

My answer was simple: women’s organisations in Uganda are rarely invited to the tables where humanitarian decisions are made, even though we work tirelessly on the frontlines supporting one of the largest refugee populations in the world. We help keep communities going, respond to crises, and support women and girls every day — yet we are often not recognised as central actors in the humanitarian system.

So I told him: we need a seat at the table.

His response stayed with me. He said:
“Then arrange the table yourself — and invite me.”

A powerful reminder that sometimes leadership means creating the space where our voices cannot be ignored.

It was an honour to have this moment of conversation and possibility.


fansThe Feminist Humanitarian NetworkOffice of the Prime MinisterZivik Funding ProgrammeCARE International in UgandaWar Child NederlandEuropean Commission’Rural Initiative for Community Empowerment West NilePartners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation-PICOT@

https://cepadwestnile.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/TOR-ACCOUNTING-SOFWARE-1.pdf
02/03/2026

https://cepadwestnile.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/TOR-ACCOUNTING-SOFWARE-1.pdf

https://cepadwestnile.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ADVERT-PROGRAM-MANAGER-2.pdf
25/02/2026

https://cepadwestnile.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ADVERT-PROGRAM-MANAGER-2.pdf

Happening now at the CEPAD Offices: Validation of CEPAD’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030.The session has brought together key ...
20/02/2026

Happening now at the CEPAD Offices: Validation of CEPAD’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030.

The session has brought together key stakeholders from Arua City, Madi Okollo District, and Obongi District, alongside the CEPAD Board of Directors and partner representatives. Also present is the Chairperson of Charter for Change, CEPAD staff members, the Senior Planner Obongi District, Senior MEAL – Arua City, the Local Council 5 Madi Okollo, and the Area Manager – Oxfam.

This important engagement is providing space for constructive dialogue, technical review, and collective input to ensure that CEPAD’s 2026–2030 strategy is inclusive, responsive, and impact-driven.

Together, we are shaping the future of resilient and empowered communities.

The Feminist Humanitarian Network CARE International in Uganda UNHCR Uganda Zivik Funding Programme Office of the Prime Minister

Today I worked here in Jinja. One of our FHN partners. Organisation of people with disabilities. I was humbled but their...
12/02/2026

Today I worked here in Jinja. One of our FHN partners. Organisation of people with disabilities. I was humbled but their resilience, hardwork and determination is what keeps me going with these women and strengthening their capacity. With funding from Irene M. Staehelin Foundation through the The Feminist Humanitarian Network, Community Empowerment for Peace and Development - CEPAD is changing the narrative that are to work with, we are saying give them a chance and they can deliver live saving services. of the Prime MinisterWar Child NederlandRural Initiative for Community Empowerment West NileEuropean CommissionCARE International in UgandaZivik Funding ProgrammePartners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation-PICOTUNHCR UgandaYouth Action for Community Transformation-YACOTFeminist News

https://cepadwestnile.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/TERMS-OF-REFERENCE-FINANCIAL-ACCOUNTING-SOFTWARE.pdf
10/02/2026

https://cepadwestnile.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/TERMS-OF-REFERENCE-FINANCIAL-ACCOUNTING-SOFTWARE.pdf

My last due diligence visit in Arua with several Women’s Rights Organisations was deeply grounding. One of the highlight...
31/01/2026

My last due diligence visit in Arua with several Women’s Rights Organisations was deeply grounding. One of the highlights was visiting Mercy Ocotoko.

For those who know Mercy, her story is both painful and powerful. She shared why she founded her organisation: every time she applied for a job, employers told her she would be “too expensive” because they assumed her disability meant she would need special assistance. Eventually, she got tired of being excluded.

She reached out to friends who reminded her of something important—that she could use her brain, experience, and expertise to build something of her own.

Today, Mercy is the Founder and Executive Director of Women Effort for Inclusive Development, and she also serves as the Chair of the Resource Mobilisation Committee of the Feminist Humanitarian Network Uganda National Platform. I could not be more proud of her leadership, courage, and clarity of purpose.

Mercy’s journey reminds us of a simple but powerful truth:
Disability is not inability.

Our project is funded by Irene M. Staehelin Foundation through the Feminist Humanitarian Network, and coordinated by CEPAD.


fansThe Feminist Humanitarian NetworkOffice of the Prime MinisterWar Child NederlandEuropean CommissionZivik Funding ProgrammeRural Initiative for Community Empowerment West NileCARE International in UgandaPartners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation-PICOTZ Zurich Foundation

29/01/2026 | A humbling lesson in dignity and resilienceToday was a deeply humbling day.We visited three refugee women-l...
29/01/2026

29/01/2026 | A humbling lesson in dignity and resilience

Today was a deeply humbling day.
We visited three refugee women-led organisations. Different spaces, same realities.

No pay for their labour.
No budget for audit.
No electricity in their offices.
One shared laptop — or none at all — between the ED, finance and programmes.

The organisation that moved me most was Voice of the Voiceless.

These women did not wait to be “empowered.” They raised funds through small livelihood activities, and the interest was used to build the office they now sit in. With no laptop, they write their documents by hand — pen on paper. When we provided resources for capacity strengthening, they still did not allocate anything to pay themselves.

I spent time with them reviewing their budget and speaking honestly:
Coming to work every day without pay is not empowerment — it increases vulnerability, including to GBV. You cannot work and not support your family.

They listened. They reflected. They agreed.

They will now prioritise buying a laptop and a printer.
But they still have no solar power to run them.

If you believe in women-led solutions rooted in dignity, €400 can power the office of Voice of the Voiceless and enable these women to continue serving their community with safety and pride.

This is feminism in practice — seeing the need and acting.

This project is funded by Irene M. Staehelin through the Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN) and coordinated by CEPAD.






fansThe Feminist Humanitarian NetworkOffice of the Prime MinisterWar Child NederlandZivik Funding ProgrammeRural Initiative for Community Empowerment West NileEuropean CommissionCARE International in UgandaPartners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation-PICOTUNHCR UgandaWaka PhotographyYSAT UgandaYouth

Picking up from last week, today we are in Arua City, engaging with six women-led organisations including Integrated Chi...
27/01/2026

Picking up from last week, today we are in Arua City, engaging with six women-led organisations including Integrated Child Services, Peace for Women, Selflessness Compassion, and Sustainable Action for Transformation, among others.

We had long, reflective conversations on feminist due diligence—and how different it is from traditional approaches that focus on fault-finding. What stood out strongly today is how WROs have been normalised into working without pay. Many organisations are running multiple activities for their communities with no funds to remunerate staff, relying on “volunteerism” born out of commitment, not choice. Critical compliance costs—like audits—are often left out, creating serious risks with the Uganda Revenue Authority.

We had honest discussions: cut down activities, pay your staff, and set aside funds for audit and compliance. You cannot sustainably run 10 activities and earn nothing. That is pouring from an empty cup. We are deliberately changing the narrative—women’s labour has value, and due diligence is about capacity building, not punishment.

The Uganda National Feminist Platform is here to strengthen organisations—starting with internal systems and wellbeing, and extending to the communities we serve. I am learning every day from these powerful women, and I am deeply honoured to lead this journey.

This project is funded by the Irene M. Staehelin Foundation through the Feminist Humanitarian Network, and coordinated by Community Empowerment for Peace and Development (CEPAD).


fansThe Feminist Humanitarian NetworkOffice of the Prime MinisterWar Child NederlandEuropean CommissionZivik Funding ProgrammeRural Initiative for Community Empowerment West NileCARE International in UgandaPartners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation-PICOTUNHCR UgandaWaka PhotographyYSAT UgandaYouth Action for Community Transformation-YACOTPeace DirectMusema Inno

🗽🗽🗽🍷🍷🍷🍷Happy birthday to my friend, my sister, and the Executive Director of CEPAD.We have come a long way together—thro...
27/01/2026

🗽🗽🗽🍷🍷🍷🍷
Happy birthday to my friend, my sister, and the Executive Director of CEPAD.

We have come a long way together—through moments of joy and through hard seasons—but the Lord has held us together every step of the way. When I asked you to take over and lead CEPAD, you did not ask questions. You understood that the ask came from deep trust.

Five years later, I have witnessed your leadership, your unwavering commitment, and your quiet strength. Today, I can sit back and watch with peace because I know you lead with confidence, purpose, love, and integrity.

On this special day, I raise a glass 🍷 and ask the Good Lord to shower you with good health, wisdom, and continued grace.

Happy birthday, dear Teopista 🗽🌹💐
fansThe Feminist Humanitarian NetworkOffice of the Prime MinisterWar Child NederlandZivik Funding ProgrammeRural Initiative for Community Empowerment West NileEuropean CommissionCARE International in UgandaPartners in Development and Center for Holistic Transformation-PICOTUNHCR UgandaWaka PhotographyYSAT UgandaFeminist NewsYouth Action for Community Transformation-YACOT

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Arua City
Arua

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Monday 08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:30
Thursday 08:00 - 17:30
Friday 08:00 - 05:30

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