The government has launched a five-year, Shs4.02 billion National Multimedia Strategy for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (2026-2031), introducing a new approach that ensures public awareness campaigns match the capacity of local health and justice facilities.
Developed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development alongside the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) under the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Joint Programme, the revised framework replaces the 2016 strategy. It addresses past shortcomings where mass media campaigns actively urged survivors to report abuse without verifying if nearby service providers were equipped to assist them.
Presenting the strategy in Jinja on Thursday, Mr Isaac Musoke, a senior consultant at the Ministry of Gender, explained that previous interventions leaned heavily on media broadcasts without assessing whether survivors could actually access medical treatment, legal aid, or protection. The new framework establishes a district readiness ranking system, backed by a central Data and Learning Hub, to evaluate local capacity every quarter.
Under this evaluation framework, districts will be categorized into three tiers based on five core metrics: clinical care availability-such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and GBV kits-justice desk staffing, shelter and social protection access, SAUTI 116 helpline remote reporting functionality, and inter-agency coordination.
Tier Three districts will focus primarily on prevention, safety details, and child abuse reporting. Conversely, Tier One and Tier Two districts will run expanded campaigns encouraging survivors to seek formal support only after confirming that local health facilities and justice centers have the necessary personnel and medical supplies. By 2031, the government targets having at least 30 districts raise their readiness rankings.
The strategy arrives against a backdrop of high abuse rates across the country. Data presented during the launch revealed that 44 percent of Ugandan women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence since age 15, while the police registered 12,317 defilement cases in 2024 alone.
Addressing media practitioners, Ms Angela Nakafero, the Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs, called on journalists to move beyond general calls to report abuse and instead provide practical, step-by-step guidance on navigating legal and medical pathways. She noted that many survivors abandon cases due to intimidation, procedural confusion, or fear of police handling.
Ms Nakafero emphasized that the ministry is expanding partnerships with cultural leaders in regions like Karamoja and the Sebei sub-region to dismantle harmful traditions, including female genital mutilation, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy. Additionally, male action groups are being deployed to engage men and boys, while efforts are underway to break the stigma surrounding violence against male survivors.
On funding, Ms Nakafero acknowledged ministry budget constraints but highlighted cross-sectoral investments, pointing to Ministry of Health provisions for survivor care and police allocations for case investigations. She also warned of rising technology-facilitated violence, calling on telecom providers, tech firms, and media outlets to help counter digital abuse targeting women and girls.
The updated strategy accounts for modern communication shifts, digital media growth, and climate-related disruptions, establishing guidelines for ethical, survivor-centered reporting and inclusive outreach targeting refugees, marginalized groups, and persons with disabilities.
Stakeholders were also invited to join the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, set to launch on November 25 in Namutumba District with a focus on survivor protection and ending online and offline impunity.