Concerns are mounting over the true scale of sexual violence in Uganda, with experts cautioning that a drop in reported cases does not necessarily signal real progress.
The 2025 Annual Crime Report released by the Uganda Police Force shows that sex-related offences declined from 14,425 cases in 2024 to 12,606 in 2025.
But journalist and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) advocate Leonard Kamugisha Akida argues that the figures obscure a deeper, more troubling reality, particularly for the country’s most vulnerable groups.
“The numbers may suggest progress, but the reality is far more troubling,” Kamugisha said. “Young girls remain the primary survivors, often within environments that are supposed to protect them.”
According to the report, more than 10,000 victims were female juveniles. Many cases of defilement involved perpetrators known to the survivors , including teachers, guardians, and even parents, highlighting a disturbing pattern of abuse within trusted spaces.
“This is no longer about strangers,” Kamugisha noted. “The danger is within our homes, schools, and communities.”
The report further shows that victims, especially those aged 15 to 17, continue to suffer long-term consequences, including psychological trauma, early pregnancies, and increased exposure to HIV.
Access to justice remains another major concern. Of the 12,606 cases reported, only 5,844 were taken to court, and just 790 resulted in convictions.
In rape-related cases, only 22 convictions were secured out of 1,675 reported incidents—raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the justice system.
Kamugisha warns that such low conviction rates risk eroding public trust. “When cases drag on or fail to result in convictions, it creates a sense of impunity and discourages survivors from coming forward,” he said.
The Uganda Police Force also acknowledges that many incidents go unreported due to stigma, fear, and victim-blaming—suggesting the actual scale of sexual violence could be far higher than official figures indicate.
As Uganda observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month, stakeholders are calling for action that goes beyond awareness campaigns. There are growing demands for faster case handling, stronger child protection systems, and deeper community engagement.
Kamugisha is urging a coordinated national response. “Sexual violence is not just a women’s issue—it is a national crisis that demands collective action,” he said.
He emphasized that real progress will not be measured by declining statistics alone, but by tangible improvements in accountability, survivor support, and a justice system that delivers outcomes.
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