Iganga: '98 men assaulted by wives in 2014'

By Moses Bikala

IGANGA -  Some 98 men were reportedly assaulted by their wives in Iganga district last year.

This was revealed by the officer in charge of the family protection unit at Iganga Police Station, Milly Nabirye, during a public dialogue on gender-based violence on Friday.

She said the majority of men assaulted by their wives do not report to the Police for fear of public ridicule.

“They keep quiet for fear of being called weak men,” Nabirye added.

She said most men who report violence against them by their wives give up on the cases after being ridiculed by the public.

Nabirye, popularly known in Iganga as 'Mama Police', said this makes it difficult to pin suspects because the victims decline to give evidence in court.

“In most cases the women are set free because the men hurriedly give up the cases."

Mobile phone factor

Nabirye said the majority of the complainants report that they are punched by their wives in the presence of their children.

She cited some of the reasons for the conflicts as one partner denying the other sex, marrying other women, or failure to provide the basic needs of the family.

Nabirye also blamed domestic violence on the use of mobile phones, saying it has contributed to an increase in the number of marriage break-ups.

“Some people receive calls late in the night. This may arouse suspicion that one is cheating on one’s partner.”

She said last year, 13 married women appeared before court for assaulting and causing grievous harm to their husbands.

Meanwhile the Iganga deputy resident district commissioner, Moses Mugweri, attributed the increase in the number of cases of gender-based violence to the rampant poverty in the area.

He urged men to allow their wives to engage in income-generating activities.


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