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Women’s Commission mourns loss of Ronald Opira, a voice for youth in northern Uganda

Ronald Opira, director of Watwero Rights Focus Initiative (WATWERO) in northern Uganda, passed away on December 15, 2005; he was 32.

WATWERO is a group of young people who work with the community and in the internally displaced persons camps in northern Uganda, providing information on HIV/AIDS, human rights, education and gender-based violence. He was one of the strongest advocates for the protection and participation of youth in the war-ravaged north, and was seen as a youth leader by both his local community and the international community.

Ronald was a partner with the Women’s Commission for many years, first in the “Youth Speak Out” adolescent participatory research project and then as head of WATWERO. Under the auspices of the Women’s Commission, he made a presentation at the United Nations during the Special Session on Children in 2002. More recently he was an integral member of a partnership between WATWERO, the Women’s Commission and American Jewish World Service.

Staff and board of the Women’s Commission are deeply grieved by Ronald’s death; the international community and northern Uganda have lost a friend, an ally and a voice for youth.

Ronald is survived by his wife Irene, and his two-year-old son Bill Ferguson, as well as many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.