A disturbing surge in gender-based violence (GBV) has gripped Bukwo District, leaving a trail of mourning families and fear in its wake.
Over the past year, 10 women have tragically lost their lives due to domestic violence incidents.
Ben Sakajja, the Community Development Officer in Bukwo, revealed that the district registers more than 80 cases of domestic violence each month, painting a grim picture of the escalating crisis.
Barbra Chemutai, a resident of Kapsayi Village, shared her harrowing ordeal of narrowly escaping death at the hands of her husband.
Through tears, she recounted how a confrontation over her husband’s attempt to sell household property to buy alcohol turned violent.
"I knew he was going to kill me. So I grabbed my baby and ran. We are now living with my parents," Chemutai said.
Cultural Decline
Local leaders are increasingly concerned about the underlying causes of the violence. Bukwo Woman MP, Evelyn Chemutai, attributed the rise in GBV to cultural decline within the Sabiny community.
"While our culture had negative aspects like female genital mutilation, it also prepared girls for marriage. The abandonment of culture has led to the loss of values that used to guide marital responsibilities," Chemutai explained.
Although harmful practices have decreased, the absence of traditional teachings, according to leaders, has left many young people unprepared for marriage, resulting in frustrations that often escalate into violence.
Poverty
Bukwo’s Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Ivan Namoma, pointed to extreme poverty as a key driver of the violence.
Mr Namoma noted that unemployment and a lack of economic opportunities have led to increased domestic disputes and tragic outcomes.
Sakajja echoed this view but stressed the need to reinforce cultural institutions and prioritize community sensitization to combat the crisis.
He also emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation, noting that neighboring communities face similar challenges.
"Rebecca Cheptegei was murdered just a few meters away from Bukwo. We need cross-border sensitization, and that requires resources," Sakajja added.
Call for Government Action
Leaders in Bukwo are now urging the government to allocate funds to strengthen cultural institutions and expand GBV awareness programs. With 80 new cases reported each month, they believe urgent action is necessary to protect vulnerable women and children in the district.
As the community mourns those lost, many hope that through increased awareness, economic support, and cultural education, the violence plaguing Bukwo can be brought to an end.