A conversation with Nageeba Hassan Tegulwa
In conflict-ridden Uganda, a young Nageeba Hassan Tegulwa started her career as a teacher, determined to make a difference. However, she soon realized that teaching alone was not enough. She saw how women and youth were the hardest hit by the violence and extremism tearing their communities apart. This led her to an important realization: peace starts by empowering these very groups. Now, more than 15 years later, Nageeba tirelessly builds bridges between different religious groups, aiming for a peaceful future for everyone.
Uganda has a long history of division. How do you see this, and what are the biggest challenges? “Uganda indeed has deep religious and social divisions. Although the country is relatively stable, communities still struggle with the consequences of conflicts and extremism. Women are often the first to encounter these conflicts because, as mothers, sisters, and aunts, they are deeply embedded in their communities. They see the early signs of radicalization but often do not know how to protect their children or communities. Youth are particularly vulnerable to extremist groups, especially because they lack future prospects.”
What have you done to address these challenges? “I decided to reach out to the women in my community. In Uganda’s largest mosque, I asked the imam for permission to organize women’s meetings. Initially, very few women showed up because they were suspicious of projects led by non-Islamic organizations. This made it difficult to reach them, despite the fact that I am Muslim myself and was leading the sessions. But I persisted and engaged in conversations with both the women and the religious leaders. Eventually, I built a network of 33 women from different districts. This led to the establishment of the first formal women’s department within the Ugandan Muslim Council in 2013. For the first time, women had a voice within the council, where they now help decide on issues that affect them, such as education and healthcare.”
That sounds like a huge achievement. What impact has this had? “It gave women the opportunity to actively participate in discussions about issues that directly affect them. But it was not just about their own community. Dialogue between different religious groups is essential. In the beginning, there was a lot of distrust, but through joint projects and open discussions, we started breaking down those walls. My goal was to broaden the awareness of the women in the network beyond just their own religion. I encouraged them to recognize and reach out to organizations in their own communities that work for women, regardless of religious background. This helped them realize how much support was available from non-Islamic organizations and emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnerships. Slowly, cooperation began to emerge between Muslim and Christian communities.”
Besides working with women, you also focus on youth. Why is that so important? “Young people are the future of our communities, but they are also vulnerable to extremism. Without access to education or employment, they risk being recruited by radical groups. That’s why we established book clubs in schools. These clubs go far beyond improving literacy; they are safe spaces where young people support and look out for each other. If a classmate suddenly stops coming to school, they visit their home to find out why. In some cases, this has even helped prevent child marriages, simply by raising concerns and addressing parents directly. This shows how powerful young people can be when given the right tools and support.”
What challenges do you face in your work? “Women are still often seen as people who do not need to be involved in decision-making, especially in religious contexts. This makes it difficult to give them a seat at the table, even when they clearly deserve one. It is also challenging to ensure continuity. Many of our projects depend on temporary funding, which makes it difficult to have a long-term impact. We are trying to create a culture of self-sufficiency, but that takes time and patience.”
What inspires you to keep going despite these challenges? “I believe that women and youth hold the key to sustainable peace. Women see the early signs of extremism in their communities but often do not know how to intervene. By training them in conflict prevention, mediation, and recognizing these signs, they can play a crucial role in preventing violence. The same goes for youth. If we equip them with the right skills and resources, they can help protect their communities.”