Did you know that Gender-based violence is costly? Therefore, think twice before you engage in any form of abuse.
UN officials have found that Uganda loses an estimated $20 million (UGX 73 billion) annually due to the economic and social impact of gender-based violence (GBV).
This alarming revelation has prompted diplomats and human rights advocates to call for urgent action to address the crisis.
Dr. Pauline Chiwangu, the UN Women Country Representative, revealed that Uganda loses about $20 million (UGX 73 billion) annually due to the social and economic impact of violence against women and girls.
She called for increased funding and human resources to handle GBV cases.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the Justice for Her Project at Masaka High Court, Dr. Chiwangu emphasised the need for a survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach when handling GBV cases.
She praised special court sessions that help reduce the backlog of cases and urged more funders to support GBV prevention initiatives.
She also stressed the importance of improving data collection, saying that accurate statistics are key to shaping effective GBV prevention programs.
Justice For Her project
The Justice for Her Project, funded by Austria, aims to improve access to justice for women and girls. It will strengthen institutions and ensure gender-sensitive responses to GBV cases.
Dr. Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer, the head of the Austrian Embassy’s Development Cooperation, said women in Masaka face heartbreaking challenges when seeking justice.
This is why the project will be implemented in Masaka, as well as in Gulu, Arua, and Nebbi.
She explained that the project will create lasting change by ensuring daily hearings for GBV cases, rather than waiting for periodic criminal sessions.
“We want GBV survivors to get justice quickly, not to wait for years,” she said. “This is a vital step in ensuring victims are treated with urgency and respect.”
Dr. Kerschbaumer called for collaboration among all justice actors, including law enforcement, the judiciary, civil society, and development partners.
She stressed that justice initiatives can only succeed through cooperation and coordination.
Rising GBV Cases
The 2024 Police Crime Report shows a slight drop in GBV cases, from 14,846 in 2023 to 12,424 in 2024. However, sexual violence remains high.
The report recorded 1,607 rape cases and 12,317 cases of defilement. Most victims were female of which 12,009 girls were defiled compared to 308 boys.
Traditional Healers, GBV Rise
Deputy Chief Justice Designate, Dr. Flavian Zeija, blamed some traditional healers in Masaka for fueling GBV.
He claimed they mislead communities with false promises of wealth, leading to cases where parents sexually assault their children.
He urged local leaders to sensitise communities about the dangers of such beliefs.
Court Efforts to Address GBV
Dr. Zeija explained that the Justice for Her Project will train lawyers and other stakeholders to handle GBV cases with gender sensitivity.
It will also provide legal aid for victims and offenders, along with community sensitisation efforts.
Masaka High Court, Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court, Kalangala, Sembabule, and Rakai courts will participate in the project.
Each court will set up a GBV case management committee comprising judicial officers, prosecutors, investigators, legal aid providers, and social welfare officers.
These committees will meet quarterly to prioritise cases and set timelines.
Dr. Zeija urged Community Development Officers to assist courts in tracing witnesses, as missing witnesses often delay GBV trials.
Justice Lawrence Tweyanze, the Masaka High Court resident judge, said the region still struggles with a high number of GBV cases.
“Nearly 50% of our case backlog is GBV-related,” he said, adding that this project will help to speed up justice for survivors.
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