Community Empowerment for Peace and Development Westnile (CEPAD-WN)

CEPAD-WN is an Indigenous, women-founded, and women-led NGO, established in 2014 by Ugandan feminist peace and conflict scholars with a shared vision of transforming lives through nonviolence. Rooted in feminist principles, CEPAD-WN was created to address the root causes of violence and inequality by empowering communities to resolve conflicts and build sustainable mechanisms for lasting peace, resilience, and harmony. Originally registered as a Community-Based Organization (CBO), CEPAD-WN transitioned into a fully registered Local NGO in 2021 (Reg. No. 5623). Headquartered in Arua City, the organization operates across West Nile and Northern Uganda, reaching hard-to-access and marginalized communities, including refugee settlements. As a women-led initiative, CEPAD-WN actively collaborates with diverse stakeholders—including women, youth, faith-based organizations, and traditional leaders—to foster peace and sustainable development. With feminist principles at its core, CEPAD-WN envisions “A nonviolent, peaceful, and inclusive society where everyone can thrive” To achieve this, the organization specializes in delivering grassroots programs in collaboration with local governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and religious and cultural leaders. By targeting underserved areas, CEPAD-WN enhances capacities at both institutional and community levels to ensure inclusive and effective service delivery, contributing meaningfully to national and international development agendas. We are deeply committed to partnerships and networking, recognizing that collaboration is essential to achieving shared objectives. By complementing and contributing to the efforts of governments and other development actors, CEPAD-WN actively supports broader national and international development agendas. Philosophy: CEPAD-WN is founded on the belief that a just, peaceful, and democratic society can be achieved