From Conflict to Cooperation: Arajab and Murhemula’s Journey of Change

Sweswe village in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, Kyegegwa District is a bustling space where families who fled war in Congo are slowly rebuilding their lives. Amid the scattered homes and gardens stands the household of Arajab Banginda and his wife, Murhemula Godfide, a couple whose story embodies the power of transformation.

A Past Shaped by Violence

When Arajab and Murhemula first arrived in Uganda, their marriage was broken. Arajab was known as a man who refused to cooperate with his wife. He made decisions alone, disregarded Murhemula’s opinions, and often resorted to violence. Even back in Congo, their relationship had been defined by tension and conflict.

Murhemula recalls: “I felt invisible in my own home. He would plan alone, spend alone, and if I dared to ask questions, it would end in fights.”

Theirs was not an isolated case. According to the Senior Community Development Officer in Kyegegwa District, financial disputes and GBV are deeply entrenched in refugee and host communities. “Planning and budgeting at household level, involving all members of the family, women and children, is key. We are using capacity building to address GBV by training Community Activists,” he explains.

The Turning Point: SASA! Training

In 2023, Arajab and Murhemula participated in the SASA! training under the LEAP Project, funded by UN Women and implemented by UGANET in partnership with the Refugee Law Project. The training brought together men and women in the settlement to reflect on how power operates in relationships.

For the first time, Arajab began to see himself through his wife’s eyes. “I realized the pain I was causing my family. Violence was destroying us,” he admits.

The SASA! approach encouraged couples to communicate, budget together, and share decision-making. It was not easy at first, but with guidance from trained Community Activists (CAs) and Community Leaders (CLs), they began to build trust.

In Kyegegwa alone, dozens of CAs and CLs (men and women drawn from both the refugee and host communities) have been trained. Collectively, they have reached thousands of community members. Importantly, men are increasingly stepping forward to speak out against GBV and even report cases.

A Home Rebuilt on Partnership

Today, the Banginda family is unrecognizable. Arajab and Murhemula sit together to plan their family budget. Their children are included in discussions about schooling and basic needs.

Murhemula testifies: “He now respects me. He includes me in plans, and our home is peaceful. The children are happier because we work together.”

Arajab echoes her: “I realized a family cannot succeed with violence. Cooperation is strength.”

This transformation is part of a larger shift across refugee-hosting districts. As one district officer emphasized, “Men need to be included more and reached out to. We also pray that the project is expanded to more sub-counties in the district.”

Looking Ahead

Kyegegwa District hosts one of the largest refugee settlements in Uganda, Kyaka II. In this context, preventing GBV is not just about protecting women, it is about rebuilding entire communities. Local leaders, such as Kasaijja Kalya, DCDO, Kyegegwa  District have underscored the importance of scaling such initiatives to match the growing population pressures. For Arajab and Murhemula, that change is already visible. Their story is one of resilience: from a marriage shadowed by violence to a home built on respect, partnership, and hope.