Government has raised the alarm over increasing digital violence against women and girls as Uganda prepares to launch the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Tuesday, November 25.
State Minister for Gender and Culture Affairs, Peace Mutuuzo, said the country is witnessing a rise in online abuse, including cyberstalking, harassment, and image-based violence.
“The campaign is taking place amidst escalating cases of online GBV across the country, which calls for concerted efforts by all stakeholders,” Mutuuzo said.
The national launch will be held at Kasese District Headquarters under the theme, “Unite to end Violence against Women and Girls: Empower, Consolidate and Sustain the gains.”
Globally, the campaign marks its 34th year with the call, “Unite to end digital violence against women and girls.”
Running annually from November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, the campaign will involve both state and non-state actors nationwide.
Government reported progress in combating GBV, citing reductions in major indicators. Physical violence against women has declined from 56% in 2016 to 44% in 2022, while sexual violence fell from 26% to 17%.
Domestic violence against men decreased from 44% to 34%, according to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
The 2024 Annual Crime Report also shows a drop in sex-related offences, from 14,846 cases in 2023 to 14,424 in 2024.
Defilement cases fell by 3.4%, while domestic violence reports decreased from 17,698 in 2022 to 14,073 in 2024.
Authorities attributed the improvements to increased awareness and enhanced services.
Twenty-one GBV shelters across the country have assisted more than 46,000 survivors, offering medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and reintegration services.
The ministry highlighted collaboration with cultural and religious institutions, noting that 16 cultural bodies have declared commitments to end harmful practices.
Local community structures, including male action groups, survivor support networks, and para-social workers, have strengthened reporting and referral mechanisms.
Planned activities for the campaign include a national GBV symposium on November 27, media campaigns, radio talk shows, a Knowledge Fair, and televised panel discussions. The campaign will conclude with a national dialogue involving religious, cultural, and traditional leaders on December 10.
Mutuuzo urged all Ugandans to participate in the campaign and advocate against gender-based violence.
“We call upon the public to champion efforts to end violence and support survivors,” she said.