Education
Experts warn of sexual violence in higher institutions
The concern was raised during a post-International Women's Day stakeholders' dialogue organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission at MUBS in Kampala on June 18, 2026.
The dialogue brought together university leaders, student representatives, government officials, researchers, development partners and gender advocates. (Courtesy photo)
By: Richard Ategeka, Journalist @New Vision
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Recently, at a symposium at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Kampala, experts, students, and education leaders raised concerns over the persistence of sexual harassment in Uganda’s higher institutions of learning.
They noted that many cases go unreported, with students instead relying on informal warnings about staff members, despite existing institutional policies.
The concern was raised during a post-International Women's Day stakeholders' dialogue organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission at MUBS in Kampala on June 18, 2026, under the theme: "Investigating the Context of Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls in Universities and Higher Institutions of Learning in Uganda: What is the Missing Link?"
The discussion brought together representatives from universities, government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and student leaders to examine why sexual harassment remains prevalent and what can be done to stop it.
What the studies say
Research cited during the dialogue paints a worrying picture, as only small fractions are formally reported.
A study by Makerere University College of Health Sciences found that 1 in every 5 female students with hearing impairments experienced sexual assault or rape within a year.
A 2024 workplace gender-based violence study by the Ministry of Gender, funded by Enabel, found that 44% of respondents had witnessed gender-based violence in their institutions, while 25% reported experiencing it themselves.
Another study referenced was done in 2023 by Grace Lubaale, Harriet Kebirungi, and Godfrey Ejuu, and was published in the Tanzania Journal of Development Studies. The study titled Sexual Violence and Development Implications in Uganda Universities: The Case of Kyambogo University, found that more than 8,600 students at Kyambogo University had experienced or were experiencing sexual violence.
What the studies say
Research cited during the dialogue paints a worrying picture, as only small fractions are formally reported.
A study by Makerere University College of Health Sciences found that 1 in every 5 female students with hearing impairments experienced sexual assault or rape within a year.
A 2024 workplace gender-based violence study by the Ministry of Gender, funded by Enabel, found that 44% of respondents had witnessed gender-based violence in their institutions, while 25% reported experiencing it themselves.
Another study referenced was done in 2023 by Grace Lubaale, Harriet Kebirungi, and Godfrey Ejuu, and was published in the Tanzania Journal of Development Studies. The study titled Sexual Violence and Development Implications in Uganda Universities: The Case of Kyambogo University, found that more than 8,600 students at Kyambogo University had experienced or were experiencing sexual violence.
Experts believe the actual figures are likely much higher because many survivors never report what happened to them.
"We still see a lot of girls and women in institutions facing this challenge because they do not talk about it," said Julius Kamya, the Commissioner for Education, Training and Communications at the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Kamya said the Commission convened the dialogue to identify the gaps preventing institutions from effectively addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
Fear Keeps Victims Silent
Throughout the discussions, several issues emerged repeatedly: fear, power, and retaliation.
Dr Anna B. Ninsiima, a lecturer in Gender and Development Studies at Makerere University, said sexual harassment often thrives because of power imbalances between perpetrators and victims. Whether in lecture rooms, offices, or workplaces, victims frequently fear that reporting abuse could affect their grades, careers, or opportunities.
“The perpetrators are known, but actually nothing is done about it,” she said.
Ninsiima argued that many victims lose confidence in reporting systems because they believe little action will follow. She noted that while some universities have established policies against sexual harassment, implementation remains weak, and many students are unaware of available reporting mechanisms.
“Policies only make sense when they are understood, when they are known, and when they are adequately funded,” she added.
Dr Prim Rose Nakazibwe, Director of Research and Innovation at Ndejje University and a lecturer in gender studies, noted that the problem is deeply rooted in societal norms that silence women and normalise violence against them.
“Many girls in institutions are facing sexual harassment from fellow students who rape them in halls of residence and around campus spaces. Others suffer abuse from lecturers and support staff, while outsiders also prey on young girls on campus,” she said.
Nakazibwe added that these violations are sustained by harmful stereotypes that discourage women from speaking out or freely negotiating their sexuality.
“This is due to normalised stereotypes in our society that teach girls not to speak up or negotiate their sexuality with anyone,” she explained.
Despite the existence of institutional policies meant to curb sexual harassment, she observed that implementation remains a major gap, partly because some of the very people responsible for enforcing the rules are themselves perpetrators.
She further pointed to broader societal failures, arguing that violence against women often begins at home, where young boys grow up without being challenged on abusive behaviour that later manifests in universities.
She added that sustained advocacy and open dialogue are critical in addressing the crisis, as they create platforms for survivors and stakeholders to share experiences and challenge the normalisation of gender-based violence.
“Continuous advocacy and dialogue create a platform to share best practices and deconstruct the narrative that normalises violence around universities,” she said.
Students Speak Out
The reality of underreporting was echoed by student leaders, who said many victims are too afraid to file complaints.
Gulu University Minister for Gender and Women’s Affairs Rosemary Angeango said most reports reaching her office come from friends rather than victims themselves.
“Most of the time, it is not the victims who come forward. It is friends who report on their behalf because the victims fear stigma and retaliation,” she said. “There is a lot of fear, and most of them don’t speak out.”
Angeango revealed that some staff members accused of harassing students are often known within university communities, but cases frequently fail to progress due to insufficient evidence or fear among victims.
“The cases that are reported are very few, but the incidents happen frequently,” she said.
Participants noted that sexual harassment is often misunderstood as only physical assault. In reality, it includes unwanted touching, sexually suggestive comments, coercion, inappropriate text messages, online harassment, abuse of authority, and other unwelcome sexual conduct.
For Sandra Atim, a student at Lira University, the experience happened in a classroom. She recalled how a lecturer, while discussing professional dress code, singled her out before unbuttoning the top part of her shirt in front of fellow students.
“I felt very embarrassed, and I later realised the incident amounted to sexual harassment.”
Beyond Policies
Stakeholders agreed that Uganda does not lack laws, policies, or institutional commitments. The challenge lies in implementation.
Kristine Blokhus, the UNFPA Country Representative, said evidence on sexual harassment is already available.
“We understand the problem very well. The challenge is translating that knowledge into action,” she said.
Blokhus warned that universities cannot fully achieve their purpose if students do not feel safe.
“When violence becomes normalised within our learning institutions, we compromise the future of the nation,” she said.
She called for stronger accountability systems, survivor-centred support services, and greater involvement of men and boys in preventing gender-based violence.
What Needs to Change
Participants called for stronger reporting mechanisms, increased awareness of existing policies, better protection for whistleblowers, counselling services for survivors, and tougher action against perpetrators.
They also urged universities to ensure students understand reporting procedures from the moment they join campus, and to integrate discussions on consent, respectful relationships, and gender equality into student orientation programmes.
Stakeholders further called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, universities, development partners, and student leaders to create safer learning environments.
Until such changes are made, they warned, campuses will continue to struggle with a problem that undermines not only education but also the safety, dignity, and future of Uganda’s young people.
"We still see a lot of girls and women in institutions facing this challenge because they do not talk about it," said Julius Kamya, the Commissioner for Education, Training and Communications at the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Kamya said the Commission convened the dialogue to identify the gaps preventing institutions from effectively addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
Fear Keeps Victims Silent
Throughout the discussions, several issues emerged repeatedly: fear, power, and retaliation.
Dr Anna B. Ninsiima, a lecturer in Gender and Development Studies at Makerere University, said sexual harassment often thrives because of power imbalances between perpetrators and victims. Whether in lecture rooms, offices, or workplaces, victims frequently fear that reporting abuse could affect their grades, careers, or opportunities.
“The perpetrators are known, but actually nothing is done about it,” she said.
Ninsiima argued that many victims lose confidence in reporting systems because they believe little action will follow. She noted that while some universities have established policies against sexual harassment, implementation remains weak, and many students are unaware of available reporting mechanisms.
“Policies only make sense when they are understood, when they are known, and when they are adequately funded,” she added.
Dr Prim Rose Nakazibwe, Director of Research and Innovation at Ndejje University and a lecturer in gender studies, noted that the problem is deeply rooted in societal norms that silence women and normalise violence against them.
“Many girls in institutions are facing sexual harassment from fellow students who rape them in halls of residence and around campus spaces. Others suffer abuse from lecturers and support staff, while outsiders also prey on young girls on campus,” she said.
Nakazibwe added that these violations are sustained by harmful stereotypes that discourage women from speaking out or freely negotiating their sexuality.
“This is due to normalised stereotypes in our society that teach girls not to speak up or negotiate their sexuality with anyone,” she explained.
Despite the existence of institutional policies meant to curb sexual harassment, she observed that implementation remains a major gap, partly because some of the very people responsible for enforcing the rules are themselves perpetrators.
She further pointed to broader societal failures, arguing that violence against women often begins at home, where young boys grow up without being challenged on abusive behaviour that later manifests in universities.
She added that sustained advocacy and open dialogue are critical in addressing the crisis, as they create platforms for survivors and stakeholders to share experiences and challenge the normalisation of gender-based violence.
“Continuous advocacy and dialogue create a platform to share best practices and deconstruct the narrative that normalises violence around universities,” she said.
Students Speak Out
The reality of underreporting was echoed by student leaders, who said many victims are too afraid to file complaints.
Gulu University Minister for Gender and Women’s Affairs Rosemary Angeango said most reports reaching her office come from friends rather than victims themselves.
“Most of the time, it is not the victims who come forward. It is friends who report on their behalf because the victims fear stigma and retaliation,” she said. “There is a lot of fear, and most of them don’t speak out.”
Angeango revealed that some staff members accused of harassing students are often known within university communities, but cases frequently fail to progress due to insufficient evidence or fear among victims.
“The cases that are reported are very few, but the incidents happen frequently,” she said.
Participants noted that sexual harassment is often misunderstood as only physical assault. In reality, it includes unwanted touching, sexually suggestive comments, coercion, inappropriate text messages, online harassment, abuse of authority, and other unwelcome sexual conduct.
For Sandra Atim, a student at Lira University, the experience happened in a classroom. She recalled how a lecturer, while discussing professional dress code, singled her out before unbuttoning the top part of her shirt in front of fellow students.
“I felt very embarrassed, and I later realised the incident amounted to sexual harassment.”
Beyond Policies
Stakeholders agreed that Uganda does not lack laws, policies, or institutional commitments. The challenge lies in implementation.
Kristine Blokhus, the UNFPA Country Representative, said evidence on sexual harassment is already available.
Kristine Blokhus, the UNFPA Country Representative, said evidence on sexual harassment is already available. (Courtesy photo)
“We understand the problem very well. The challenge is translating that knowledge into action,” she said.
Blokhus warned that universities cannot fully achieve their purpose if students do not feel safe.
“When violence becomes normalised within our learning institutions, we compromise the future of the nation,” she said.
She called for stronger accountability systems, survivor-centred support services, and greater involvement of men and boys in preventing gender-based violence.
What Needs to Change
Participants called for stronger reporting mechanisms, increased awareness of existing policies, better protection for whistleblowers, counselling services for survivors, and tougher action against perpetrators.
They also urged universities to ensure students understand reporting procedures from the moment they join campus, and to integrate discussions on consent, respectful relationships, and gender equality into student orientation programmes.
Stakeholders further called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, universities, development partners, and student leaders to create safer learning environments.
Until such changes are made, they warned, campuses will continue to struggle with a problem that undermines not only education but also the safety, dignity, and future of Uganda’s young people.