April 30, 2025 | Ibuga Ward, Muleba District, Kagera Region
Building stronger communities starts with empowering local leaders who serve on the front lines of conflict resolution. On April 30th, 2025, ESS Creative and Legal Foundation had the privilege of working with dedicated community leaders in Ibuga Ward, Muleba District, to enhance their mediation and dispute resolution capabilities.
Meeting with Local Leaders
The training session brought together key figures from the Ward Development Committee who play crucial roles in maintaining harmony within their communities. These included:
Dr. Ndyetabura, the Ward Councilor, who provides leadership and governance oversight for the entire ward. His presence underscored the importance of having strong mediation skills at all levels of local government.
Salehe Mruma, the Ward Executive Officer, serves as a key administrative figure coordinating between different levels of government and community needs.
Robert Fredrick Itogaza, Chairman of Lutenge, represents the voice of his community in decision-making processes and serves as a first point of contact for resolving local disputes.
Ana Grace Kaganda, Village Chair of Bulembo Village, brings a grassroots perspective to community leadership, often handling conflicts that arise at the most local level where relationships and traditional practices intersect with modern governance.
Sadoth Salvatory, the Educational Officer, plays a vital role in addressing disputes that may affect educational access and school community dynamics.
Saliphina Kyaruzi, a Development Officer, focuses on ensuring that community development initiatives proceed smoothly while managing any conflicts that may arise during implementation.
Additional Agricultural and Health Officers also participated, bringing their sector-specific expertise to the discussion of how mediation can improve service delivery in their respective areas.
Understanding the Challenges
During the session, these experienced leaders openly shared the challenges they face in their daily work resolving disputes as informal mediators within their communities. Their candid discussions revealed the complex nature of community conflicts, which often involve multiple stakeholders, cultural sensitivities, and limited resources.
The leaders highlighted how disputes can range from land boundary disagreements and family conflicts to issues affecting access to services and community development projects. Each type of conflict requires a careful approach that balances traditional practices with modern legal frameworks.
Capacity Enhancement in Action
Erick Mukiza from ESS Creative and Legal Foundation facilitated the capacity-building session, focusing on practical mediation techniques that could strengthen the leaders' existing skills. Rather than introducing entirely new approaches, the training built upon the valuable experience and cultural knowledge these leaders already possess.
The session emphasized collaborative problem-solving, active listening techniques, and strategies for creating win-win solutions that respect community values while addressing underlying issues. Participants engaged in discussions about how to manage emotional dynamics during disputes and techniques for ensuring all parties feel heard and respected.
Building on Strong Foundations
What made this training particularly valuable was recognizing that these leaders are already informal mediators within their communities. They bring deep understanding of local customs, established relationships with community members, and proven track records of resolving conflicts.
The goal was not to replace their existing approaches but to provide additional tools and frameworks that could enhance their effectiveness. By strengthening these capabilities, the leaders can continue their vital work with increased confidence and improved outcomes for their communities.
Looking Forward
The Ward Development Committee meeting in Ibuga Ward represents ESS Creative and Legal Foundation's commitment to supporting community-based solutions to conflict resolution. When local leaders have strong mediation skills, entire communities benefit from more effective governance, reduced tensions, and improved social cohesion.
These leaders return to their communities with enhanced skills, ready to continue their important work of building peaceful, prosperous environments where all community members can thrive. Their dedication to continuous improvement in serving their constituents exemplifies the kind of leadership that makes lasting positive change possible.
The collaboration between ESS Creative and Legal Foundation and the Ward Development Committee demonstrates how capacity-building initiatives can strengthen existing community structures rather than imposing external solutions. By working with local leaders who understand their communities' unique needs and dynamics, we can create sustainable improvements in conflict resolution and community governance.
ESS Creative and Legal Foundation continues to support community leaders across Tanzania in developing effective approaches to mediation and dispute resolution. For more information about our community engagement programs, please contact us through our official channels.