Every morning, Florence Amony’s phone begins to ring, and it rarely stops. Some calls are from couples in conflict, others from parents worried about their children, or neighbors reporting a dispute over land or water. On an ordinary day, Florence receives more than 30 calls, each one a plea for help. Instead of turning away, she listens, counsels, and when needed, visits homes to encourage dialogue instead of violence. “Sometimes people fear going to the police. They call me instead,” she says.
For Isaac Atiku, another refugee community leader in Pagirinya refugee settlement, In Northern Uganda, his phone has become more than just a tool for resolving conflicts. In his block F, Pagirinya refugee settlement, it has turned into a community call center. Families use it to connect with loved ones in South Sudan and beyond. “The community in my block use the FRC phone to reach out to their families and friends,” he explains, proud that a simple device has restored broken lines of communication.
Adjumani District in Northern Uganda, which hosts the largest refugee population in the country, has often been marked by tension between refugees and host communities. Land disputes, gender-based violence, theft, and youth gang activity has in the past strained relationships and threatened peaceful coexistence. To address these challenges, the Finnish Refugee Council (FRC) launched Connecting Refugees and Ugandans for Social Cohesion in Northern Uganda.
The project equips community leaders with conflict prevention and management skills while also placing smartphones in their hands. What may appear to be an ordinary device has become a powerful peacebuilding tool.
Phones allow leaders like Florence and Isaac to mobilize communities, receive conflict reports in real time, document dialogue sessions between refugees and host communities”, and refer cases to relevant authorities.
WhatsApp groups spread awareness and bring people together, while photos, voice recordings, and videos taken during dialogues provide evidence that strengthens accountability and learning.
Florence explains that what makes FRC’s training unique is their practicality. The topics are tailored to local realities, addressing the specific challenges communities face. This makes the interventions not only relevant but also sustainable. “The facilitation is context-specific, blending with the conflict issues on the ground and giving us local solutions,” she says.
The impact is already visible. Leaders are more trusted, communities feel more connected, and conflicts are being resolved before they escalate. A phone call that once might have gone unanswered is now the beginning of dialogue, trust, and peace.
In Adjumani, a smartphone is no longer just a device for making calls, it is a bridge between refugees and hosts, a lifeline for families, and a symbol of hope. In the hands of committed leaders like Florence and Isaac, it is proving that even the smallest tool can create lasting change, one call at a time.