By The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has announced a renewed crackdown on digital violence targeting women and girls, warning that online abuse has become one of the fastest-growing forms of gender-based violence in Uganda.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s national launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Minister of State for Gender and Culture Affairs, Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, said the surge in cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital exploitation now threatens to reverse gains made in fighting physical and sexual violence.
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“This country has made progress in reducing physical and sexual violence, but digital spaces have become new battlegrounds for abuse. We must strengthen our laws, build capacity for investigations, and ensure technology companies are accountable,” Mutuuzo said.
Government data shows steady improvement in several GBV indicators. UBOS reports a drop in physical violence against women from 56 percent in 2016 to 44 percent in 2022, and a fall in sexual violence from 26 percent to 17 percent. Police statistics also indicate a continued decline in domestic violence and defilement cases.
Mutuuzo credited increased reporting through digital tools such as the SafePal app and the toll-free Sauti 116 line, alongside expanded access to care at 21 GBV shelters that have supported more than 46,000 survivors.
However, the minister warned that online platforms have opened new avenues for abuse including impersonation, revenge pornography, cyberstalking, and coordinated digital attacks with many cases going unreported.
“We cannot allow the digital world to become a lawless space that targets women and girls,” she said. “This year’s activism campaign is about protecting women both offline and online.”
The ministry plans to push for stronger legislation on digital violence, better training for law enforcement, gender-disaggregated data collection, and greater pressure on tech companies to moderate harmful content.
The 16 Days campaign will include a national GBV symposium, media engagements, a knowledge fair, activism walk and a high-level dialogue with cultural and religious leaders. Uganda’s national launch will take place at Kasese District Headquarters on 25 November.
Mutuuzo urged Ugandans to join the efforts, saying the fight against GBV requires vigilance in both physical and digital spaces.
“Everyone has a role families, communities, technology companies, and law enforcement,” she said. “We must protect women and girls everywhere.”
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