The 5th JICA Chair Held in Uganda

On March 25, 2026, the JICA Uganda Office held the 5th JICA Chair at Makerere University. On this occasion, Ms. Chisa Mikami, Head of Hiroshima Office of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Member of the Board of Directors of the Ashinaga Foundation, was invited as the guest lecturer. The event attracted approximately 200 participants, including those who joined online.

The lecture, titled “From Devastation to Resilience: Lessons from Hiroshima for Post-war Reconstruction and Sustainable Peace,” shared insights on building a peaceful and sustainable society based on Hiroshima’s experience of atomic bombing and post-war reconstruction. The session highlighted Hiroshima’s path to recovery through efforts by government institutions, educational actors, and citizens, and emphasized that reconstruction is not merely about physical rebuilding, but also about restoring human dignity and social cohesion.

The panel discussion that followed featured two professors from Makerere University and a representative from Ashinaga Uganda. The discussion explored the importance of education, dialogue, and the active participation of young people and local communities in responding to today’s increasingly complex conflicts. It also underscored the broad scope of peacebuilding, including women’s empowerment and support for youth.

The event also included a presentation by a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer working in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, providing participants with an opportunity to learn from practical field-based experiences. Questions from the audience covered topics such as the preservation of memories of the atomic bombing and peace education in Japan, prompting deeper reflection on peace among participants.

This marked the 5th JICA Chair held in Uganda, organized in collaboration with Makerere University since the very first session. This year’s event was also made possible with the cooperation of the Ashinaga Foundation and Ashinaga Uganda. JICA will continue to work with diverse partners to promote human resource development and contribute to peacebuilding efforts.