Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, disproportionately affecting women and girls but impacting individuals of all genders. In Uganda, where societal norms, economic hardships, and displacement intersect, SGBV manifests in forms such as physical assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, and harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation. Western Uganda, home to vast refugee settlements like Nakivale and Oruchinga, exemplifies a hotspot for this crisis due to its large displaced populations fleeing conflicts in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan. This article delves into the prevalence, causes, and devastating impacts of SGBV in the region, underscoring why immediate, coordinated responses are not just necessary but urgently imperative.

Understanding SGBV in the Context of Western Uganda

SGBV encompasses any harmful act perpetrated against a person's will, rooted in socially ascribed gender differences. It includes rape, domestic abuse, forced marriage, and economic coercion. In Western Uganda, the region's geography spanning districts like Isingiro, Kyegegwa, and Kamwenge hosts over 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers as of mid 2025, making it a microcosm of vulnerability. Nakivale Refugee Settlement alone, established in 1958 and now sprawling over 185 square kilometers, shelters more than 180,000 people from various nationalities. These settlements, while providing safety from war, inadvertently breed environments ripe for SGBV due to overcrowding, limited resources, and social disruptions.

National statistics paint a grim picture that intensifies in refugee heavy areas. According to recent data, approximately 36% of Ugandan women have experienced intimate partner violence, with sexual violence affecting 17% in 2022, down from higher rates in previous years but still alarmingly prevalent. In refugee contexts, the numbers are even more stark: a 2024 study in Nakivale revealed SGBV as "widespread," with forms like sexual violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) surging due to prolonged displacement. An earlier assessment in the same settlement found that 61 out of 200 respondents had experienced SGBV, including 24% who reported rape. Among protracted refugees those stuck in limbo without repatriation or resettlement options the vulnerability escalates, with women and girls facing heightened risks of exploitation.

Root Causes Fueling the Crisis

The drivers of SGBV in Western Uganda are multifaceted, intertwining structural inequalities with immediate humanitarian challenges. At the core is the protracted refugee situation: ongoing conflicts in the DRC and elsewhere prevent safe returns, leaving families in indefinite limbo. This prolongation, as highlighted in a January 2024 report on Nakivale, fosters new violence dynamics, such as increased IPV and sexual assaults amid resource scarcity. Poverty exacerbates this; refugees often rely on meager aid, leading to survival sex where women trade sexual favors for food or shelter and economic abuse by partners.

Cultural and social factors play a significant role too. Patriarchal norms in both host communities and refugee groups normalize violence, with limited education on gender equality. In Western Uganda's rural settings, early marriages and harmful practices persist, disproportionately affecting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), who face a 22% lifetime risk of SGBV nationally. Displacement disrupts family structures, increasing orphanhood and unaccompanied minors' exposure to trafficking. Recent community efforts, such as trainings for university students in Western Uganda on reproductive rights and SGBV prevention, underscore these ongoing battles.

Moreover, inadequate infrastructure in settlements like Oruchinga and Nakivale poor lighting, distant water points, and insufficient security creates opportunities for perpetrators. A 2024 gender assessment of Uganda's refugee response noted that food ration cuts under Phase 3 prioritization have worsened vulnerabilities, pushing more individuals toward risky behaviors.

The Devastating Impacts on Individuals and Communities

The ripple effects of SGBV extend far beyond immediate physical harm, inflicting deep psychological, social, and economic wounds. Survivors in Western Uganda often suffer severe injuries, unwanted pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, straining already overburdened health systems. Mental health tolls are profound: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidal ideation are common, with one study linking a third of women's suicides to SGBV experiences. In Nakivale, the psychological and social health impacts are compounded by stigma, leading many to conceal incidents, which perpetuates cycles of abuse.

On a community level, SGBV undermines social cohesion and development. In refugee settlements, it hampers education girls drop out to avoid assaults and economic participation, as fear restricts mobility. Economically, the cost is staggering: treating SGBV-related health issues diverts resources from other needs, while lost productivity affects entire households. A 2025 study on GBV in Ugandan communities revealed higher prevalence among women, associating it with factors like low education and poverty, which trap generations in vulnerability. For men and boys, often overlooked victims of IPV or sexual violence, the silence around male victimization further isolates them.

Why SGBV in Western Uganda Demands an Urgent Response

Despite some progress such as a decline in reported physical violence from 56% in 2016 to 44% in 2022 nationally the persistence of SGBV in Western Uganda screams for escalated action. The urgency stems from several converging factors. First, the protracted nature of the refugee crisis with no end in sight to regional conflicts, settlements like Nakivale see prolonged exposure to risks, where extended stays have "intensified existing violence" and birthed new forms. As of 2025, Uganda hosts over 1.5 million refugees, mostly in the west, and recent inflows from escalating DRC violence have overwhelmed systems.

Second, underreporting and response gaps amplify the crisis. Many survivors fear reprisal or disbelief, leading to concealed cases that hinder data-driven interventions. Fabricated reports for resettlement benefits further complicate efforts. Third, recent events highlight escalation: community walks and awareness campaigns in South Western Uganda, like the July 2024 Nyaka Global event in Rukungiri, signal rising community concern, yet cases continue. Economic pressures from global inflation and aid cuts have spiked survival-related SGBV, as noted in 2024 assessments.

Finally, SGBV is a barrier to Uganda's sustainable development goals, including gender equality and health. Without urgent intervention, it risks becoming a normalized epidemic, eroding human rights and fueling intergenerational trauma. The 2021-2025 Interagency GBV Strategy emphasizes addressing root causes like inequality, but implementation lags in remote western districts. Delaying action could lead to irreversible harm, especially amid 2025's humanitarian strains.

Pathways Forward.

To combat SGBV effectively, a multi-stakeholder approach is essential. Governments, NGOs, and communities must prioritize:

1. Strengthened Prevention: Invest in awareness campaigns, gender-sensitive education, and infrastructure improvements like better lighting and safe spaces in settlements.
2. Robust Response Systems: Expand access to comprehensive services medical, legal, psychosocial through partnerships like UNHCR's working groups. Train local leaders, as seen in recent Western Uganda student programs.
3. Economic Empowerment: Programs targeting women and girls, such as skills training and microfinance, reduce dependency and vulnerability.
4. Policy and Research: Enforce Uganda's anti-GBV laws rigorously and fund localized studies to track trends. International donors should increase funding for the 2024-2025 Refugee Response Plan.
5. Community Mobilization: Events like the 16 Days of Activism and local walks must evolve into sustained movements, involving men as allies.

SGBV in Western Uganda is not an isolated tragedy but a systemic failure demanding urgent, collective resolve. By addressing its roots in displacement and inequality, we can protect vulnerable populations and foster resilient communities. As voices from Nakivale and beyond call out through articles, trainings, and walks it's time for action.