I joined Reimagine in 2020, following an invitation from a colleague working in similar peacebuilding and arts spaces. At the time, my work was deeply rooted in preventing violent extremism in Uganda, particularly with young people vulnerable to radicalisation and victims of terror. My work centred on using the arts to create spaces of self-reconciliation and possible collective healing, shaped by a belief that healing is central to preventing cycles of violence.
My journey into peacebuilding began during my time at university and the early years after that. I was interested in the involvement of young people in leadership and worked simultaneously with other organisations to build leadership capacities of young people through training initiatives. But in 2015, after experiencing a personal loss of a loved one, my work shifted more intentionally toward healing spaces and addressing the stigma around depression. My experience of grief reshaped how I understood wellbeing, community, and resilience.
Over time, this path led me to founding The Sophie Muwanika Institute for Art for Change, to advocate for healing and extend healing spaces in communities affected by war and violent conflicts, especially those affected by violent extremism. In my country, violent extremism was initially exclusively framed as a security concern, which often meant responses were largely reactive with no room for reflective or healing-centred approaches. Often leaving victims alone to deal with grief and uncertainty, a cycle I believed would recreate further violence.
When I was introduced to Reimagine, what stood out to me was the quality of questions the space held. It felt different from many of the usual environments I worked in. Reimagine extended to us an invitation to ask how we do peace differently, and more importantly, how we move from constantly responding to crises toward genuinely reimagining futures.
This invitation deeply resonated with me. It affirmed the work I was already doing through healing-centred approaches, while also expanding the space to hold more intentional questions about imagination, creativity, care, and collective responsibility.
My journey in Reimagine continues to be one of reflection and deep engagement, and helps me stay with the question of what it truly means to build peace beyond response, and how healing and care can remain at the centre of that work.
