Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced a bold diplomatic initiative: the invitation of Haitian gang leaders to Kampala for peace talks this August. To lead this delicate mission, Gen Muhoozi has appointed Ambassador Michael Katungi as his special envoy to Haiti.
“My envoy to all the gang leaders in Haiti is Ambassador Michael Katungi. They are invited to Kampala to discuss peace in August,” Gen Muhoozi stated in an official communication.
Ambassador Katungi welcomed the assignment with gratitude and resolve.
“Thank you, our generational leader, for the trust in me. We will reach out and bring them to Kampala. Thank you for your tireless efforts to resolve conflicts in our region, across Africa, and beyond,” he responded.
Who are the Haitian Gangs?
The peace talks are expected to involve influential gang leaders, among them Jimmy Chérizier, commonly known as “Barbecue” if ambassador Katungi succeeds in convincing him to make the trip to Kampala.
A former police officer turned gang leader, Barbecue heads the G9 Family and Allies, a powerful gang federation that has seized control of significant parts of Port-au-Prince. He has positioned himself as a political actor, calling for the resignation of Haiti’s unelected leaders, but his group has also been implicated in violent attacks and human rights abuses.
Haiti’s gang crisis has escalated to the point where criminal groups are not only destabilizing the capital but also disrupting humanitarian aid and state functions. The country remains without an elected president or parliament, compounding the chaos.
Kenya’s Role in the Crisis
The international response to Haiti’s crisis has included a proposed Multinational Security Support Mission led by Kenya, endorsed by the United Nations. Kenya committed to deploy 1,000 police officers to help restore order in Haiti, with support from the Bahamas, Jamaica, Bangladesh, and others. The deployment has, however, faced delays due to legal and logistical challenges.
Uganda’s decision to host peace talks is viewed as a unique African-led diplomatic effort outside the UN framework, highlighting the country’s growing ambition to influence global peacebuilding.
The Kampala dialogue, if successful, could mark a turning point in efforts to resolve Haiti’s security crisis through non-military means.
