Inter-Religious Council of Uganda
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On 31st March and 3rd April, 2001, the Secretary General of Religions for Peace (RfP) international, Dr. William F. Vendley, held private meetings with senior-most religious leaders from four religious communities in Uganda, namely; the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church (Church of Uganda), the Orthodox Church of Uganda, and the Muslim Community.
During the meeting, Dr. Vendley introduced the mission and vision of RfP, then known as the World’s Council of Religions for Peace (WCRP), and the emerging initiative and unique opportunity for religious communities to address the plight of orphans affected by HIV/AIDS, and he also offered to facilitate the formation of a national inter-religious structure.
Religious leaders unanimously held a view that the time was ripe for a national inter-religious council to be co-built by both Christians and Muslims. The WCRP team met with major religious groups and inter-religious groups in Uganda to brainstorm about how their activities could be strengthened by the formation of a national inter-religious council.
The first preparatory meeting for the formation of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) was held on 4th April, at Nile Hotel in Kampala. The committee consisted of representatives appointed by the heads of four religious communities in Uganda.
The participants agreed to officially constitute the preparatory committee mandated to work for the establishment of IRCU. The committee designated six members to form an ad-hoc committee to conduct preliminary work for the committee, including the drafting of the Council’s constitution.
THE IRCU PHILOSOPHY
Inspired and motivated by love and faith, IRCU strives to serve God through service to humanity, especially the poor and vulnerable of society Surah Al-Baqarah 17; Mathew 25:34-40; 1 John 4:20. From these, IRCU derives its mandate as follows:
Building the capacity of FBOs and religious leaders so that they rise up to today’s challenges
Mobilizing resources for addressing the challenges
Influencing Public Policy Advocacy
Taking action as an agent of social change and transformation
Build the competence of religious leaders to mobilize and facilitate social transformation of faith communities for the common good based on the respective principles and values enhancing for a peaceful and just society in Uganda
Promote multi-religious collaborative dialogue on issues of common interest and concern among the different faiths based on shared moral commitments in Uganda and in relation to other parts of the world.
Advocate for peaceful co-existence, tolerance human rights, justice and reconciliation for harnessing the unique similarities and differences in faiths, traditions, ethnicity, beliefs and action
Promote moral and spiritual integrity and values in the Uganda society
Creating and strengthening impartiality and independent spaces for dialogue and conciliation
IRCU builds on the achievements of its interventions during the 2011 and 2016 presidential elections to minimize the potential for violent political conflict. It has intensified prayer for the peace in the country and as the guardian for the common good. Working in close collaboration with the Council of Elders, IRCU has provided independent and safe spaces for dialogue and conciliation and seek every opportunity to address political candidates on the challenges along the way before, during and after the elections. IRCU continues to be the voice of the nation on political and election reforms, critical for the consolidation of good and democratic governance and continuance of peaceful and harmonious co-existence.
Nurturing integrity, building peace, justice and good governance and popularizing shared vision and values.
IRCU continues to nurture integrity and popularize the shared vision and values to make Uganda a truly God-fearing country. In particular, it has identified and strongly advocated around the main challenges that undermine integrity such as lack of an effective social security system that compromises people that would model these values because they are under pressure to look to the state for their survival.
IRCU has been delivering HIV/AIDS, peace, human rights and good governance programs in the country for over a decade. During this period, IRCU has been able to deliver services to a multitude of Ugandans across many communities.
It has also been able to undertake civic engagement program where consciousness of the citizenry in respect to their democratic and constitutional rights and their obligations in the electoral and governance processes and also demand for accountability from leaders.
IRCU has been doing good work as the national level. In order to strengthen FBOs to undertake advocacy, resource mobilization and coordination at the regional and district level, the IRCU Board established the following Regional Inter-faith Networks
West Nile Inter-Faith network
Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative Forum
Lango Religious’ Leaders Peace Forum
Teso Religious Leaders’ Efforts for Peace and Reconciliation
The Interim Inter-Faith Steering Committee for Eastern Region
Busoga Religious Leaders’ Forum
Bunyoro Inter-Religious Council
Western Uganda Inter-Religious Forum
Moroto-Nakapiripirit Religious Leaders’ Initiative for Peace (MONARLIP)
Kigezi Inter-Faith Forum
NETWORKS AND PARTNERS
National Level
At national level, such networks include the Institutionalized Faith based Organizations and their affiliated structures, the regional interfaith networks and District level interfaith committees. These networks and structures provide a mechanism for enhanced faith based involvement in addressing developmental issues through coordinated approaches, coherence of effort, maximization of synergy and sharing of resources
Regional and International level
At Regional and International level, IRCU is affiliated to Religions for Peace International headquartered in New York and the African Council of Religious Leaders in Nairobi. IRCU is also the secretariat for the Great Lakes Inter-religious Network GLIRN) and the East African Community – Inter Religious Council (EAC-IRC).
Participation in these initiatives is mainly focused on promoting peace and good governance as well as issues of sustainable human development that affect humanity. Similarly, IRCU works on issues of women and youths through their networks of Uganda Women of Faith Network, and Uganda Interfaith Youth Network. These networks are affiliated to African Religious Youth Network (ARYN) at regional level, the Global Youth Network (GYN) and Religions for Peace international.
Other Partnerships
Partnerships that have facilitated service delivery include: Uganda AIDS Commission where IRCU serves as a Self-Coordinating Entity whose role is to coordinate all FBOs in Uganda in the context of responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Similarly, IRCU representation spans areas such as National Prevention Committee, the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the Health Policy Advisory Committee (HIPAC), the Civil Society Inter Constituency Committee (CICC) and at the Civil Society Fund Steering Committee; and the National Gender Based Violence Reference Committee in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
IRCU is also a member of the Uganda National AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO). The Institution also works closely with line ministries such as the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development. IRCU is engaged in partnership with Management Sciences for Health (MSH) under STAR-E project, ICCO and IRISH AID. IRCU will continue to develop sound collaboration with likeminded organizations. These will include development partners, international FBOs, NGOs and government.
During the meeting, Dr. Vendley introduced the mission and vision of RfP, then known as the World’s Council of Religions for Peace (WCRP), and the emerging initiative and unique opportunity for religious communities to address the plight of orphans affected by HIV/AIDS, and he also offered to facilitate the formation of a national inter-religious structure.
Religious leaders unanimously held a view that the time was ripe for a national inter-religious council to be co-built by both Christians and Muslims. The WCRP team met with major religious groups and inter-religious groups in Uganda to brainstorm about how their activities could be strengthened by the formation of a national inter-religious council.
The first preparatory meeting for the formation of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) was held on 4th April, at Nile Hotel in Kampala. The committee consisted of representatives appointed by the heads of four religious communities in Uganda.
The participants agreed to officially constitute the preparatory committee mandated to work for the establishment of IRCU. The committee designated six members to form an ad-hoc committee to conduct preliminary work for the committee, including the drafting of the Council’s constitution.
THE IRCU PHILOSOPHY
Inspired and motivated by love and faith, IRCU strives to serve God through service to humanity, especially the poor and vulnerable of society Surah Al-Baqarah 17; Mathew 25:34-40; 1 John 4:20. From these, IRCU derives its mandate as follows:
Building the capacity of FBOs and religious leaders so that they rise up to today’s challenges
Mobilizing resources for addressing the challenges
Influencing Public Policy Advocacy
Taking action as an agent of social change and transformation
Build the competence of religious leaders to mobilize and facilitate social transformation of faith communities for the common good based on the respective principles and values enhancing for a peaceful and just society in Uganda
Promote multi-religious collaborative dialogue on issues of common interest and concern among the different faiths based on shared moral commitments in Uganda and in relation to other parts of the world.
Advocate for peaceful co-existence, tolerance human rights, justice and reconciliation for harnessing the unique similarities and differences in faiths, traditions, ethnicity, beliefs and action
Promote moral and spiritual integrity and values in the Uganda society
Creating and strengthening impartiality and independent spaces for dialogue and conciliation
IRCU builds on the achievements of its interventions during the 2011 and 2016 presidential elections to minimize the potential for violent political conflict. It has intensified prayer for the peace in the country and as the guardian for the common good. Working in close collaboration with the Council of Elders, IRCU has provided independent and safe spaces for dialogue and conciliation and seek every opportunity to address political candidates on the challenges along the way before, during and after the elections. IRCU continues to be the voice of the nation on political and election reforms, critical for the consolidation of good and democratic governance and continuance of peaceful and harmonious co-existence.
Nurturing integrity, building peace, justice and good governance and popularizing shared vision and values.
IRCU continues to nurture integrity and popularize the shared vision and values to make Uganda a truly God-fearing country. In particular, it has identified and strongly advocated around the main challenges that undermine integrity such as lack of an effective social security system that compromises people that would model these values because they are under pressure to look to the state for their survival.
IRCU has been delivering HIV/AIDS, peace, human rights and good governance programs in the country for over a decade. During this period, IRCU has been able to deliver services to a multitude of Ugandans across many communities.
It has also been able to undertake civic engagement program where consciousness of the citizenry in respect to their democratic and constitutional rights and their obligations in the electoral and governance processes and also demand for accountability from leaders.
IRCU has been doing good work as the national level. In order to strengthen FBOs to undertake advocacy, resource mobilization and coordination at the regional and district level, the IRCU Board established the following Regional Inter-faith Networks
West Nile Inter-Faith network
Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative Forum
Lango Religious’ Leaders Peace Forum
Teso Religious Leaders’ Efforts for Peace and Reconciliation
The Interim Inter-Faith Steering Committee for Eastern Region
Busoga Religious Leaders’ Forum
Bunyoro Inter-Religious Council
Western Uganda Inter-Religious Forum
Moroto-Nakapiripirit Religious Leaders’ Initiative for Peace (MONARLIP)
Kigezi Inter-Faith Forum
NETWORKS AND PARTNERS
National Level
At national level, such networks include the Institutionalized Faith based Organizations and their affiliated structures, the regional interfaith networks and District level interfaith committees. These networks and structures provide a mechanism for enhanced faith based involvement in addressing developmental issues through coordinated approaches, coherence of effort, maximization of synergy and sharing of resources
Regional and International level
At Regional and International level, IRCU is affiliated to Religions for Peace International headquartered in New York and the African Council of Religious Leaders in Nairobi. IRCU is also the secretariat for the Great Lakes Inter-religious Network GLIRN) and the East African Community – Inter Religious Council (EAC-IRC).
Participation in these initiatives is mainly focused on promoting peace and good governance as well as issues of sustainable human development that affect humanity. Similarly, IRCU works on issues of women and youths through their networks of Uganda Women of Faith Network, and Uganda Interfaith Youth Network. These networks are affiliated to African Religious Youth Network (ARYN) at regional level, the Global Youth Network (GYN) and Religions for Peace international.
Other Partnerships
Partnerships that have facilitated service delivery include: Uganda AIDS Commission where IRCU serves as a Self-Coordinating Entity whose role is to coordinate all FBOs in Uganda in the context of responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Similarly, IRCU representation spans areas such as National Prevention Committee, the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the Health Policy Advisory Committee (HIPAC), the Civil Society Inter Constituency Committee (CICC) and at the Civil Society Fund Steering Committee; and the National Gender Based Violence Reference Committee in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
IRCU is also a member of the Uganda National AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO). The Institution also works closely with line ministries such as the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development. IRCU is engaged in partnership with Management Sciences for Health (MSH) under STAR-E project, ICCO and IRISH AID. IRCU will continue to develop sound collaboration with likeminded organizations. These will include development partners, international FBOs, NGOs and government.
Company Information
Contact Name:
Contact Email:
secretarygeneral@ircu.or.ug
Contact Phone:
+256 414 342877
Contact Fax:
Since :
Company Size:
Address1:
Plot 245, Sentema Road, Mengo Kampala, Uganda
Address2:
