Kampala, Uganda – The year 2024 brings to light a disturbing trend of increasing violence against children in Uganda. Reports show that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys face sexual violence during childhood, while 6 in 10 girls and 7 in 10 boys suffer from physical violence, typically at the hands of caregivers, teachers, or other authority figures
Child abuse in Uganda is not limited to physical harm. Emotional violence and neglect are widespread, with 42% of Ugandans reporting frequent incidents of child mistreatment in their communities. This issue is particularly prevalent in the northern region, where child neglect rates are the highest
In addition to violence, the country is grappling with high rates of child marriage and forced labor. Over 169,000 cases of child abuse were documented by the Uganda Police Force between 2016 and 2021, underscoring the dire need for stronger intervention
While Uganda has laws in place to protect children, enforcement and awareness at the community level are lacking. Human rights organizations, including the Resurgence Network for Human Rights, are calling on both the government and international bodies to take decisive action. It is crucial to strengthen legal protections, increase funding for child protection services, and improve access to education and counseling for victims.
As the crisis deepens, the future of Uganda’s children hangs in the balance. CMP Publications will continue to cover these critical human rights issues as part of our commitment to justice and advocacy.