The Episcopal Diocese of Kajo-Keji is at the centre of a growing network of cross-border peacebuilding, refugee ministry and community development spanning South Sudan and Uganda — drawing the attention of international partners and academics alike.

The impact of conflict and tension in South Sudan has displaced thousands of people over the last few years. The Diocese of Kajo-Keji is very active in supporting displaced people and refugee camps between South Sudan and Uganda.

Reported in their Voice of Hope newsletter (which covers news from the first quarter of 2026) the diocese is involved in the Cross-Border Initiatives for Inclusive, Peaceful and Sustainable Livelihoods — a wide-ranging programme that encompasses dialogues, radio programming, annual peace conferences, financial literacy training and vocational skills development.

It is jointly implemented by many grassroots community and government stakeholders, including the diocese’s Faith, Development and Relief Agency (FADRA) in partnership with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Uganda alongside the Rural Finance Initiative (RUFI), St Martin Comboni Missionaries (SMCM) and the Youth Empowerment Initiative (YEI).

In the first quarter of 2026, the Diocese of Kajo-Keji hosted 12 Swedish Diocesan Representatives from the ACT Church of Sweden at its coordination office in Moyo, Uganda, to assess the impact of the initiative. The Church of Sweden is very active in supporting the work on the ground.

The event drew 87 participants — 54 male delegates and 33 female. Alongside the Bishop of Kajo-Keji, the Rt Revd Dr Lule James Kenyi, those present included border community members, Cross-Border Peace Committee members, religious leaders and key government officials from both South Sudan and Uganda.

During his keynote address, Bishop Lule appreciated the cordial working relationship between the Episcopal Diocese of Kajo-Keji and the Church of Uganda’s Ma’di and West Nile Diocese. He remarked: ‘...This project has done a great work in my own observation… we cordially relate now. There are many young people from this area (Moyo) who are already in Kajo-Keji riding boda-boda (commercial motorcycles) from Kajo-Keji, here and there all the time… If there are other customary activities, people relate together…there is nothing that can separate them because we are one.’

Mr Ocallap Geoffrey Filbert, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) addressed and recognised all participants and the visiting delegation from ACT Church of Sweden. 

He relayed that free trade policy in Uganda has made cross-border trade possible and practical. The RDC recommended the establishment of shared cross-border peace schools, hospitals, churches spearheading peace and unity, and if possible, investment in agricultural innovations for long-term peace and stability across Uganda and South Sudan.

The Hon. Anyama Williams, the Local Council V (LCV) Chairperson, Moyo District welcomed and recognised all guests and participants in the meeting saying: ‘On behalf of the Government of Uganda, on behalf of Moyo District Local Government, I wish to express my very sincere gratitude to the Church of Sweden, the Government of Sweden and the people of Sweden for having big heart for humanity, for standing for peace and harmony. We thank you very sincerely and we pray that this visit will enrich and build on what we have started so that the seeds of love, peace and harmony are grown and sustained beyond us.’

‘The support that you have provided have not been in vain. A lot have changed. Leaders of these communities of Uganda and South Sudan are living together. They are talking to each other. There are a lot we do together. There is business trade that we continue to do together that provides economic development. We continue to hold cross-border meetings.’

Mr Lennart Hernander, from Sweden said, ‘Together we can make a difference in building peace and maintaining the peace. So, thank you very much once again for waiting for us, for hosting us and for sharing your stories and you can be sure that what you shared today will be shared with many people in the Church in Sweden.’

The Cross Border peace work will also be the subject of a year-long research project launched in February 2026 by Makerere University in Uganda. Initial findings indicate the project has fostered peaceful coexistence, restored trust and supported economic activity along the border, though the study also flagged that local faith-based initiatives are under pressure from ongoing military tensions between South Sudan and Uganda. Researchers recommended international advocacy for the resolution of those border conflicts.

The diocese’s newsletter, Voice of Hope, also notes other important areas of mininstry that have happened during the first part of the year.

In terms of spiritual growth and transformation, it reports that the Bishop of Kajo-Keji, has confirmed 424 Christian candidates in the first three months of the year, drawing from parishes in Kajo-Keji County alongside refugee settlements at Palorinya and the Adjumani cluster — which includes Maaji, Pagirinya, Elema and Mugula in Uganda. Four new lay readers were also commissioned during the period. A four-day youth convention was also held in January 2026, where more than ten young people made public commitments to faith.

In the field of education, Partners New Hope and GZB Netherlands have continued to support education in the diocese, with New Hope’s scholarship programme enabling up to 60 students from vulnerable backgrounds to access secondary schooling at Romogi Richard Earl High School. FADRA and GZB Netherlands are also supporting smallholder farmers to cultivate coffee as a long-term income-generating crop, with training in agricultural best practice and extension services provided across Kajo-Keji County.

In March, a Women on the Frontline retreat for 47 clergy wives gathered in Moyo. Drawing on Mark 10:51, participants were encouraged to attend to their own wellbeing alongside their service to others. Voice of Hope report that participants left refreshed, empowered and ready to walk in grace. Retreat participants are quoted as saying: ‘Our hearts are full, our burdens are lifted, and our passion is rekindled. We came needing rest, and we leave.’

The Episcopal Diocese of Kajo-Keji is part of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan in the Anglican Communion.