A student from the University of Bradford has been praised for her peace-building work in Uganda.

Rehmah Kasule, originally from Uganda, was awarded the honour of becoming a Peace Laureate by the Islamic Development Bank along with US$25,000 in the category of women’s contribution to Peace, Security and Development.

The annual awards took place in Tunisia last month and were awarded by bank President, H.E. Dr. Bandar Hamza Hajjar and Prime Minister of Tunisia.

Rehmah, who is a full-time PG student on the MA Peace Conflict and Development Studies course, received the Award in recognition of her work as a Peace-Builder under the Rising Stars Mentoring Program. She has worked in post-conflict regions of northern and western Uganda since 2014 and her Youth4Peace-Uganda project promoted peace education and inter-religious dialogues in schools.

She said: “Being here tonight is indeed an affirmation that when you dream, you achieve and no dream is too big. The award is therefore a symbol of the blessings that I receive for the sacrifices to make the world a better place.

“Isaac Newton said that 'If I have seen further, it is by standing on shoulders of giants.' This Award is not for me, it is for the dedicated youth ambassadors and mentors, and the young women in post-conflict communities that keep dreaming despite the challenges that surround them.”

Rehmah, who has founded the Century Entrepreneurship Development Agency (CEDA International) in Uganda, will use the prize to produce peace edutainment messages and strengthen inter-religious dialogue in schools as she is now more energized to take up bold and innovative steps to promote peace education for the youth.