MBARARA, Uganda — Police in Uganda’s Rwizi region have reported a significant rise in the number of men coming forward to report cases of domestic and sexual violence, in what authorities say reflects growing awareness and confidence among male victims to seek help.
According to SP Vellah Mwakiire, the Regional Commander of the Child and Family Protection Unit, men now account for nearly 40 percent of domestic violence cases reported daily across the region.
Mwakiire revealed that out of every 10 domestic violence cases registered each day, four involve male victims, many of whom report being battered, tortured, or neglected in their homes.
She noted that the number of male victims seeking police intervention often rises during specific periods of economic and family pressure, particularly at the beginning and end of school terms, as well as during the coffee harvesting season.
“Most men who come to report are often pleading with their wives or partners to take care of their children,” Mwakiire said, adding that cases of women abandoning their families are also increasing in parts of the region.
Police say the trend is being driven by intensified public sensitisation campaigns conducted by the Child and Family Protection Unit alongside civil society organisations, which have encouraged more men to break the silence around domestic abuse.
Mwakiire commended men who have chosen to report violence instead of suffering in silence, saying that domestic and sexual violence affects all genders and should be addressed without stigma.
She emphasized that police remain committed to protecting all victims of abuse and urged families to seek peaceful conflict resolution while prioritising the welfare of children.
The Rwizi Child and Family Protection Unit says it will continue community outreach programs aimed at strengthening family relationships, promoting responsible parenting, and ensuring that victims of domestic violence “regardless of gender” can access justice.
