Nebbi District recorded 2,107 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) between July 2025 and June 2026, with teenagers and young mothers accounting for the majority of victims, according to police and health records.
The figures show 1,236 cases of physical and emotional violence and 871 cases of sexual violence during the 12-month period.
Officials attribute the rise to poverty, stigma, early marriages and the breakdown of family support systems, warning that many victims remain trapped in abusive relationships because they lack economic independence.
AIP Baifa Wanican of the Child and Family Protection Unit at Nebbi Central Police Station said poverty remains the leading driver of GBV in the district.
She said many parents marry off their teenage daughters early, while others fail to protect them from exploitation by older men who offer financial support.
"From experience in handling GBV-related cases, poverty is the major factor. Girls from poor backgrounds become vulnerable, and in some cases their parents also contribute to the problem. That is why many cases go unreported and victims continue to suffer in silence," Wanican said.
She added that some victims withdraw complaints after receiving financial inducements from perpetrators.
"We try as much as possible to enforce the law, but when victims are offered money, they lose interest in pursuing the case. We continue to follow up, but without their cooperation it becomes very difficult," she said.
Sister Joyce Opiem Cengmoko, the assistant district health officer in charge of maternal health, said stigma prevents many victims from reporting abuse.
"Many victims fear to come forward because of stigma and because they worry they will be chased away from their homes by the very people abusing them," she said.
She blamed the weakening family structure for exposing girls to abuse.
"Family systems have broken down. Some parents no longer support their children, especially girls, to remain in school. They have neglected their responsibilities, leaving girls with few options but to make difficult choices," Opiem said.
Nebbi Assistant Resident District Commissioner Donald Owachgiu said the erosion of traditional cultural structures had also contributed to the increase in GBV cases.
"In Alur culture, aunts and uncles traditionally played a significant role in raising children and preparing them for adulthood. That support system has largely disappeared," he said.
He said many teenagers enter relationships and start families before they are emotionally and financially prepared.
"Many teenagers start families by chance rather than by choice. They lack maturity and emotional intelligence, making it difficult to resolve conflicts peacefully, which often results in physical violence," Owachgiu said.
Despite ongoing community dialogues, sensitisation campaigns and the involvement of cultural leaders in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, some advocates argue that current interventions do not adequately address the root causes of GBV.
Shepherd Oyirwoth, a local advocate, said economic empowerment is essential if survivors are to escape abusive relationships.
"Some of these girls became pregnant while still in school. They have strained relationships with their parents and end up entering marriages based on emotion rather than reality, making them more vulnerable," he said.
He called for targeted government support through vocational training and livelihood programmes.
"The best option is skilling these young mothers. Many have dropped out of school, become trapped in abusive marriages and have no way out. Government should intentionally target them through programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) and skilling centres with startup capital," Oyirwoth said.
A recent report by PROTECT SRHR found that teenagers aged 15 to 19 recorded the highest number of sexual and emotional violence cases at 756, followed by those aged 20 to 24 with 393 cases.
The number declined with age, with 251 cases among those aged 25 to 29 and 91 cases among people aged 45 to 49.
Among Nebbi's 16 sub-counties and urban areas, Akworo Sub-county recorded the highest number of GBV cases at 482, followed by Nyaravur-Angal Town Council with 420 and Central Division in Nebbi Municipality with 364.
Parombo Town Council and Padwot recorded 155 and 140 cases respectively.
The report further shows that girls remain the most affected by GBV, while significantly fewer cases were recorded among boys.
Despite the high prevalence of GBV nationally, more than 70% of women who experience sexual violence do not seek help or report the incidents because of stigma and fear of retaliation.
The economic cost of GBV is estimated at Shs31.3 trillion annually through healthcare expenses, lost productivity and institutional response costs.
