At least 387 people in Luwero sought treatment for sexually transmitted Infections as a result of Sexual Gender Based Violence in the financial year 2022/23, a District Health report on mortality and morbidity has revealed.
According to the report, 154 victims of sexual violence were aged below 19 years and 233 were above 20 years. The report further indicates that the most affected persons were women accounting for 302 out of 387 persons who sought treatment as a result of Sexual Gender Based Violence.
Sexual Gender Based Violence includes rape, defilement, and incest. Dr. Innocent Nkonwa the Luwero District Health Officer explains that the victims of sexual violence were given Post Exposure Prophylaxis drugs to prevent them from acquiring HIV/AIDS, emergency contraceptive pills to stop unwanted pregnancies, and treatment against STIs before they were forwarded to the Police for investigations.
Nkonwa however adds that the number of victims that turned up for health services due to Gender Based Violence is still low compared to those who get teenage pregnancies. Nkonwa has since appealed to local leaders, parents, and organizations to help in the fight against Gender-Based Violence.
Faridah Najjuma the Female district councilor for Luwero town council and sub county says that the fight against Gender-Based Violence remains a tall order since parents and victims opt to mediate with suspects rather than prosecute them.
Richard Bwabye the Luwero Resident District Commissioner says that recently District Security Committee cautioned the office of the Resident State Attorney to desist from frustrating cases involving sexual violence in fighting the crime. Bwabye adds that there is close supervision of cases brought to the Police to ensure the victims get justice.
The report indicates that 971 persons were treated in health centers after sustaining injuries due to Gender-Based Violence in the district. Joyce Namigadde the Senior Probation Officer for Luwero District explains that the surge in Gender Based Violence cases is due to conflicts arising from rapid urbanization, alcoholism, property grabbing, and unemployment among other factors.
According to the Police crime report, only 98 cases of defilement and 501 domestic violence cases were reported in the year 2022.
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