Torture is one of the most painful experiences that feature in the testimonies of victims and survivors of armed confl ict(s) in Northern Uganda. Canogura Denis, a father of 3, is a victim and survivor of torture and a benefi ciary of physical repair and psychological support. On18th February 2003, Canogura aged 14 at the time, experienced extreme torture from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) at his ancestral home in Patongo, Agago district. “The rebels beat me terribly and knocked my spinal cord with the butt of a gun. I developed a swelling on my back that failed to heal; it grew bigger and bigger,” said Canogura. The swelling on Canogura’s back affected his functioning and productivity, leaving him unable to engage in any productive work. “I would feel a lot of pain on my spinal cord that affected my mobility and fending for my family. I felt stigmatized and people were wondering what was growing on my back. Wherever I go, you find people looking at the protruded back and this greatly lowered my self-esteem,” Canogura said. Canogura went from one medical facility to another seeking treatment.
In 2015, Kabarole Research Center (KRC) organized specialized training for Change Agents in the 21 sub-counties of the Rwenzori Region.
The trainings were inspired by Tinfayo; a satirical story that is meant to make citizens understand the need for an active role in holding their leaders accountable rather than the passive role which has left them as beggars ripped of their own rights. The trainings embedded reflective questions and challenged participants to play their roles and responsibilities as citizens.
Tinfayo Story Awakens Communities to Fight for Their Rights
Tinfayo story awakens communities
For a long time, residents of Muhokya Sub-County in the neighborhood of Queen Elizabeth National Park faced the wrath of elephants that destroyed their crops and in some instances killed people. They did not know how to seek reparation.After attending civic education trainings organized by Kabarole Research Centre (KRC), a DGF Partner that uses the “Tinfayo” satirical story (page 37), the community members reflected on and identified the issue of the wild animals as a major problem in the area. They also shared their frustration because the local government was not doing anything to protect them from wild animals, which had caused insurmountable destruction.