Uganda's Bundibugyo: Domestic Violence Plagues District, Only 2% of Cases Reported
Domestic violence remains a pressing issue in Uganda, particularly in Bundibugyo district. Financial disputes, alcoholism, and illiteracy are among the root causes, with a staggering number of cases going unreported.
In 2023 alone, only 54 out of 2,194 teenage pregnancy cases were reported to the police, suggesting a mere fraction of domestic violence incidents are brought to light. Pamela Grace Adong, the district's probation and social welfare officer, has sounded the alarm on the rising number of gender-based violence cases in the area.
In Sara-Kihombya, men often spend their days in bars, fueling domestic violence. Linda Kabugho, a kindergarten teacher, has firsthand experience, suffering repeated attacks from her husband due to his frustrations over soccer betting losses. Since UN Women began its engagement against domestic violence in Bundibugyo in 2022, 175 violations of their agreements have been recorded.
Ourganda, a local NGO, has established 'Mankind Clubs' to intervene in violent situations and 'Soul Sisters' to counsel and support women. Their strategy involves educating offenders and making them sign 'reconciliation forms' to prevent escalation and gather evidence. A recent skit by Ourganda highlighted the widespread issue, with actress Eva Bulimpikya sharing her real-life experience of being attacked by her drunken husband the previous night.
The prevalence of domestic violence in Bundibugyo is alarming, with a survey revealing that 47 out of 50 women experienced violence in the previous week. Globally, one in three women have experienced domestic violence, with 95% of women and girls in Uganda experiencing it after turning 15. Concerted efforts are needed to address the root causes, improve reporting, and support victims.
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