Activists push for stronger action against digital, offline GBV

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On December 10, 2025, Uganda marked the climax of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with a national symposium.

The symposium, convened under the theme: Building Safe Online and Offline Spaces in Uganda, called for stronger action to address both digital and offline violence against women and girls.

The meeting at the Kampala Serena Hotel brought together government ministries, UN agencies, civil society organisations and development partners to reflect on new strategies to tackle rising cases of technology-facilitated abuse.

Speaking at the event, gender ministry assistant commissioner for gender and women affairs Annet Kabarungi said the gathering aimed to “jointly caucus, reflect on the achievements and critically reflect on the realities of GBV, strategise, and innovate practical solutions to prevent it in alignment with the National Development Plan IV.”

Kabarungi warned that GBV remains widespread. She said digital abuse is rising sharply, affecting women and girls through cyberstalking, harassment, non-consensual image sharing, deepfake content, exploitation and blackmail.

“Daily, a woman or girl in Uganda with a phone and/or using technology experiences cyberstalking and online harassment,” she said.

She noted that 45% of women aged 15 and above have experienced physical violence, while 36% have faced sexual violence.

Additionally, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), 54% of ever-married women have endured emotional, sexual or physical violence from an intimate partner.

Accordingly, the UN Women Beijing+30 Monitoring Report indicates that only 26.6% of reported cases were investigated and taken to court, and only 4.8% resulted in convictions.

Head of programmes and fundraising at ActionAid International UgandaMercy Grace Munduru also warned that digital attacks against women in politics are increasing.

“Women are being attacked online, and their pictures are being manipulated so that they don’t win in the campaign. Many do not speak out because they fear they will not be believed or that the law will not protect them,” she said.

Munduru called for stronger enforcement of digital GBV laws, saying there is a need to make these laws effective so that prosecutions work and that people see that there is a price to pay.

Michael Opio, the programme co-ordinator at CARE International Uganda, urged survivors not to remain silent. 

“Women need to find a way of ensuring they don’t keep quiet about violence no matter how painful it is,” he said.

He added that men also face harassment but often struggle to report it, calling for broader support for all survivors.

Opio said women must take a more active role in shaping digital policies, adding that “Women need to claim the leadership in shaping digital policies, be courageous.”

He added that “one in three women has experienced gender-based violence online” and that many delete their social media accounts due to harassment, which undermines inclusion and innovation.

He called on men and boys to be allies. “We must call on men to become allies to reject harassment and online intimidation,” he said.

He added that violence facilitated through technology, including hacking, fraud, and online abuse, has become widespread, and that Ugandans must “use the virtual space responsibly.

Highlighting the gains

Kabarungi said the Government recognises the contribution of various actors who have supported prevention and response efforts.

“We congratulate, celebrate, and recognise the achievements in GBV response and prevention through all stakeholders. Your collaboration with the Government of Uganda in different ways has changed the status quo and transformed lives to date,” she said.

She added that Uganda’s progress is anchored in the continued implementation of key legal frameworks such as the Constitution, the Domestic Violence Act, the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, the National GBV Policy, the Kampala Declaration, and the National Strategy to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy.

At local government level, bylaws targeting harmful practices, including those banning excessive alcohol consumption, ending Kasuba among the Lugbara, and stopping female genital mutilation (FGM), have also contributed to community protection.

Kabarungi highlighted the importance of the Computer Misuse Act, the Data Protection and Privacy Act and related provisions under the Penal Code, which criminalise cyber harassment, stalking, unlawful access and offensive communication. She said these laws support online safety and align with international standards.

Beyond legislation, Kabarungi pointed to system strengthening through Sauti 116, the GBV Information Management System linked to the national health system, specialised GBV courts and functional shelters in refugee and host communities. She said these structures support survivors and help improve case management.

She also cited national efforts to shift harmful social norms, especially those connected to unpaid care work, through initiatives like the School of Women and Gender Studies, and further noted that models such as engaging boys and men, and the community scorecard have been widely adopted.

Kabarungi added that economic empowerment has been integrated into GBV interventions through the Parish Development Model, Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises Program, Women Economic Empowerment projects and village savings groups.

Uganda now has over one million village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), with 70% women in each group, contributing to reduced economic abuse and improved financial inclusion.

In addition, she said digital access has also expanded. 

“Forty-three percent of Uganda’s population aged 10 years and above now own mobile phones of which about 69% are female,” she noted, citing findings from the 2024 National Housing and Population Census.

She said digital platforms run by the private sector and technology companies have helped one million previously excluded VSLA members participate in the digital economy.

Cost of GBV remains high

According to Kabarungi, the cost of GBV to the country remains high. 

“Uganda loses approximately shillings 73 billion annually due to GBV, equivalent to millions of dollars lost in healthcare costs, legal processes, lost productivity, school dropout, disability, and long-term trauma,” she said.

However, she decried that the Ministry of Gender receives only 3% of the national budget, to fight against GBV, and noted that donor funding for gender programmes has also declined.

Kabarungi called for stronger collaboration among ministries, the private sector, civil society and the media.

She urged the enforcement of digital safety laws, the establishment of online reporting mechanisms and more awareness on cybersecurity.