Summary

Domestic violence remains a widespread and deeply rooted challenge in Uganda, with over half of women experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime. The Domestic Violence Act (2010) recognizes domestic violence as physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse, all of which have serious consequences for women’s mental wellbeing, family stability, and human dignity. Despite the existence of legal and institutional response mechanisms, repeated violence by the same perpetrators remains common, and many survivors continue to suffer in silence due to stigma, economic dependence, and fear of formal systems.
The report finds that most women seek help through informal channels such as family members, friends, religious leaders, and local council authorities, while only a small proportion report cases to police, health facilities, or courts. Although Uganda’s domestic violence response system shows strengths including strong community trust in local leaders, respected protection orders, and