Editor
Busia District’s youngest Member of Parliament, Hellen Auma Wandera, at just 27 years old, has urged the people of Rukungiri to embrace government programs aimed at eradicating poverty, which she highlighted as a leading cause of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Uganda.
Speaking at the Nyaka annual walk held this afternoon at Rukungiri Main Stadium, Wandera emphasized that many cases of gender-based violence are linked to alcoholism. She noted that some men misuse government program funds for personal luxuries rather than development, despite these funds being intended as revolving loans.
Wandera praised the Nyaka Project founder for their impactful initiative, which supports the government’s efforts to combat SGBV.
Rukungiri Municipality legislator Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, who served as the chief walker of the day, commended Nyaka for its community sensitization efforts against gender-based violence.
Jenipher Nahwera, Coordinator of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, reported a troubling increase in rape cases. Over the past year, the organization has recorded more than 840 cases of rape and defilement. She expressed gratitude to the Rukungiri police and local leaders for their support in apprehending offenders and urged more men to become activists in the fight against rape, defilement, and sexual assault.
IP John Barugahare, the Rukungiri Police Community Liaison Officer, acknowledged Nyaka’s crucial role in helping police identify and arrest perpetrators of sexual abuse and rape. He attributed the rise in gender-based violence to alcoholism.
Assistant RDC Kellen Kagisha called on parents to be vigilant about who they leave their children with, particularly their daughters, as some individuals may pose a risk of defilement. She encouraged attendees to support government poverty eradication programs to reduce domestic violence in their communities.
Dr. Jackson Kaguri, founder of the Nyaka Organization, expressed his gratitude to Nyaka staff for their outstanding work in serving the community and combating SGBV. He highlighted that Nyaka has been working in Kanungu, Rukungiri, and other districts since 2015, significantly impacting the fight against SGBV in partnership with local police.
