Rotary Uganda in association with the Rotary Foundation has today launched the 4th Edition of the Africa Peace Concert, a vibrant and hybrid musical event set for 10th January 2025.
The Africa Peace Concert aims to raise $500,000 towards peace building and conflict transformation while connecting artistes with fans beyond traditional venues. Funds collected will facilitate the sustainability of the Makerere Rotary Peace Centre which is the first of its kind in Africa. The Makerere Rotary Peace Centre was inaugurated in February 2020 and has since become a beacon of hope and education for peace building and conflict transformation.
Every year, Rotary awards up to 151 fully-funded fellowships to dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of its peace centers.
The fellows receive comprehensive training, networking opportunities, and practical experience to become leaders and catalysts for peace, working in various sectors such as national governments, NGOs, the military, law enforcement, peace education, media, and international organizations. The center has so far awarded 131 social initiatives.
“We are excited to bring together artistes, peace advocates, and the global community through the Africa Peace Concert to support this transformative initiative,” Joseph Nuwamanya, Chairman of the Africa Peace Concert 2025, told a media briefing today.
“This concert not only celebrates African culture and talent but also provides a platform to champion peace and conflict resolution across the continent.” He added that the funds raised will go directly to support the Makerere Rotary Peace Centre, enabling it to “continue fostering important community social change initiatives.”
Since its establishment, the Makerere Rotary Peace Centre has welcomed 110 peace fellows from 43 countries with its seventh cohort comprising 21 fellows from 11 countries, including Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Argentina, and Australia, among others. At the Centre, the fellows undertake a rigorous ten-week onsite programme, which includes community field visits that provide them with first-hand experience of the challenges and opportunities in the affected areas.
These interactions have inspired the fellows to develop and pilot community social change initiatives addressing themes on youth, conflict, and development; strengthening resilience in communities; diversity and inclusive participation; education; economic empowerment; climate change; food security; women and trafficking; women and girl child empowerment; refugee reintegration; local leadership and domestic violence prevention; media and peace journalism.
According to the Report of the UN Secretary-General on the Promotion of durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa (2024), Africa continued to face complex peace and security challenges in 2023, marked by an increase in armed conflict-related incidents and fatalities.
On progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the report also recorded that Africa made limited progress towards the achievement of the SDGs, in particular those central to human welfare and development, such as those relating to poverty,hunger, health, education, gender equality, water and sanitation, energy and sustainable cities.
“Through the Africa Peace Concert, we aim to raise awareness and support for the inspiring work being done at the Makerere Rotary Peace Centre,” said Nuwamanya.
The 3rd African Peace Concert 2023 donation to the Peace Center was $234,555. “We challenge ourselves to raise more this year,” Nuwamanya said. “By supporting this initiative, individuals and organizations are not only investing in education and leadership development but also in the transformation of lives and livelihoods across the continent. So, we invite everyone to join us for this vibrant event and to be part of a global movement for peace.”
The concert will feature a dynamic line-up of live performances combined with messages of peace, hope and unity from renowned artists across Africa, broadcasting to a global audience in real-time. A ticket goes for $100 of which part will go to the cause.
