A study by a Makerere University researcher shows that students at Kyambogo University are severely affected by sexual violence. In her baseline study, Dr Anna Ninsiima of the School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University estimated that 8,679 out 39,452 students have experienced or are currently experiencing sexual violence, making it the most affected institution, but not the only one.
The findings were disclosed during a dialogue by university leaders on sexual harassment and gender-based violence against women and girls. Experts, policymakers, and student leaders warned that despite the existence of laws and institutional policies, thousands of students continue to face abuse. In response to this challenge, Prof Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya, the vice chancellor of Kyambogo University, said the institution already has mechanisms in place to address sexual harassment, although a standalone policy is still being developed.
‘We have a human resource manual, which stipulates how staff should behave. We have a gender-mainstreaming policy, which also talks about sexual harassment,’ he said. According to Prof Katunguka, the university also has disciplinary procedures for dealing with staff found culpable of misconduct. ‘We have a system of tracking and punishing those who are involved in these practices. In our human resource manual, it is explicit,” he said. According to Dr Ninsiima, one in five female students with hearing impairments at Makerere University’s College of Health Sciences, experienced sexual assault or rape within a single year.
This underscores the heightened vulnerability of students with disabilities and those dependent on lecturers, supervisors or administrators for academic support.
She added that while Uganda had made considerable progress in developing legal and policy frameworks to address sexual harassment, implementation remains weak. “We have policies, laws and institutional guidelines, but the missing link lies in deep-seated patriarchal norms that continue to normalise sexual harassment and view women’s bodies as objects for men’s gratification,” she said. Dr Ninsiima explained that sexual harassment takes many forms, including unwelcome sexual advances, inappropriate comments, sexual jokes, cyber harassment, unwanted touches and sexual assault. She warned that the consequences extend beyond individual survivors, affecting academic performance, mental health and retention rates.
‘Survivors suffer trauma, depression, anxiety and stress. Some contract sexually transmitted infections, while others abandon their education altogether,’ she said. Mr Nicholas Olwor, the undersecretary at Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), said many victims fear retaliation, victimisation and loss of opportunities, if they report abuse. “No one begins from a position of power. People fear losing their jobs or opportunities. Once you blow the whistle, the whistle can be blown against you,” Olwor said.
He observed that some complainants withdraw from the reporting process before investigations begin, often due to intimidation or lack of confidence in institutional systems.
“Some students expressed willingness to report cases, but when the formal process was about to start, they disappeared. We do not know whether they were intimidated, silenced, bribed or simply lost confidence in the system,” he said. Mr Olwor said there is need to have stronger evidence-gathering systems, confidential reporting channels, hotlines, mobile applications and survivor-centred support services in order to improve accountability, ‘As EOC, we plan to decentralise our services to regional offices to make justice more accessible to victims across the country,’ he said.
Lived realities
Ms Rosemary Angeango, a student leader at Gulu University, said she had decided to speak publicly after experiencing repeated incidents of harassment from lecturers. “I was a victim of verbal harassment. A lecturer came into class and made comments about my appearance in front of other students,’ Ms Angeango said. ‘He told me your lips are so hot and look sweet. I feel like kissing them.” The comments left her embarrassed and humiliated.
“I immediately told him not to continue making such comments about me,” she recalled. According to Ms Angeango, such experiences are common among students, yet few cases are formally reported. ‘There are staff members whose names repeatedly come up whenever students discuss misconduct. Students know them, administrators know them, but action is never taken,” she said. The study is being circulated in various universities with hope that they would act more decisively to end the vice in higher institutions of learning across the country.