By Fahad Jjingo
The high economic toll of gender-based violence (GBV) in Uganda has raised concerns among UN Women representatives, who are urging stakeholders to step up efforts to reduce cases across the country.
Dr. Pauline Chiwangu, the UN Women Country Representative, revealed that Uganda loses an estimated $20 million (over UGX 73 billion) annually due to the socioeconomic impact of violence against women and girls.
She called for increased government funding and human resources to strengthen responses to GBV, emphasizing the need for a gender-sensitive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed approach.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the UN Women Collaborative Project at Masaka High Court, Dr. Chiwangu commended the special GBV court sessions that help reduce the backlog of cases. However, she highlighted gaps in data collection, stressing that accurate statistics are essential for effective programming and prevention efforts.
Justice for Her Project to Improve GBV Case Management
The Justice for Her Project, funded by Austria, aims to enhance women and girls’ access to justice by creating a more responsive and accountable judicial system for GBV survivors. Dr. Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer, Head of the Austrian Embassy’s Development Cooperation, noted that women in Masaka face heartbreaking struggles when seeking justice, prompting the project’s focus on the region.
The initiative will ensure that GBV cases are handled daily, rather than waiting for periodic criminal sessions, providing a systemic shift in justice delivery. Dr. Kerschbaumer emphasized that survivors should not only receive justice but also receive it swiftly to prevent further trauma.
She called for the collaboration of all justice actors, stating, “We cannot work in silos. Cooperation, coordination, and communication—the ‘3 Cs of justice’—are key to our collective success. Law enforcement, the judiciary, civil society, and development partners must work together to ensure timely, effective, and equitable justice for all.”
According to the 2024 Police Crime Report, Uganda recorded 12,424 GBV cases, marking a slight decrease from 14,846 cases in 2023. However, sexual violence remains alarmingly high, with 1,607 cases of rape and 12,317 cases of defilement reported. Women and girls remain the most affected, with 12,009 female victims of defilement compared to 308 males.
Traditional Healers Blamed for Rise in GBV Cases
Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, Principal Judge and Deputy Chief Justice Designate, attributed the persistence of GBV cases in Masaka to harmful beliefs propagated by traditional healers. He warned that some traditional practitioners mislead communities, claiming that ritual acts, including sexual assault, can bring wealth.
“Because of obsession with getting rich, some people end up committing heinous acts, including sexually assaulting their own relatives,” Dr. Zeija said. He called on local leaders to sensitize communities to dismantle harmful cultural practices fueling GBV.
The Justice for Her Project will involve several components beyond daily case hearings, including capacity building for justice actors, community sensitization, and legal aid services for survivors and offenders. Participating courts in the Masaka region include: Masaka High Court, Masaka Chief Magistrate Court and Kalangala, Sembabule, and Rakai courts.
Each court will establish a GBV case management committee comprising judicial officers, investigators, prosecutors, legal aid providers, and social welfare officers. These teams will quarterly review case progress and set timelines for resolution, with community development officers assisting in witness tracing—a major challenge that often stalls trials.
Justice Lawrence Tweyanze, Masaka High Court Resident Judge, expressed optimism about the project’s impact, noting that nearly 50% of Masaka’s case backlog consists of GBV-related cases.
“Masaka will benefit greatly from this project. Our teams are ready to take on the task and ensure that justice is served efficiently,” he said. As Uganda intensifies efforts to combat GBV, stakeholders emphasize that a multi-sectoral approach—combining justice reform, community engagement, and survivor support—will be critical to ensuring lasting change.