Domestic violence: Health ministry raises flag at rising cost of treating victims

WAKISO - The director of public health at the health ministry, Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, has raised concern at the high expenditure being incurred by his sector to manage the effects of sexual and gender-based violence and called for swift interventions that can help address the problem. 

He explained that this can significantly bring down this cost, which currently stands at sh18b in healthcare costs of managing victims annually. 

He said these savings can go a long way to filling the gaps in the sector, especially at such a time when the ministry is facing dwindling finances following the recent freeze of funding from the US. 

He made the remarks while speaking during the Power Demo and Graduation Day of Women Entrepreneurs in Lubowa, Wakiso on February 28, 2025.

Implemented by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) in collaboration with a local non-governmental organization, Action 4 Health Uganda (A4HU), Power is a new start-up accelerator project that supports women, some of whom are survivors of domestic violence to live meaningful lives. 

According to Kyabayinze, one of the survival skills can include knowing what to do when a relationship becomes toxic. 

"When I talk to young people, I tell them: ‘As you prepare to get married accept to do some adjustment on your part first just in case the other party does not adjust equally.
But we are also saying that you should not get stuck there for life. Don’t allow yourself to lose your life before you shout out. You are better off alive than in a toxic marriage,” he said. 

According to the 2024 Annual Crimes report, a total of 14,073 cases of domestic violence were reported to Police in 2024. This was a decline from 14,681 cases reported in 2023, thus giving a 4% decrease. 

Kyabayinze said their investigations show that domestic violence is common with people who go into a relationship without the appropriate counselling.

Entrepreneurial development

Action 4 Health CEO Sarah Kintu said one of the requirements for one to qualify for the Power Accelerator training is that they must be able to integrate reproductive health issues in their businesses. She said each beneficiary undergoes a six-month training in entrepreneurial skills and is helped to form enterprises and register them with Uganda Registration Bureau Services. 

Graduates of Power training with the director of public health at the health ministry, Dr Daniel Kyabayinze. This was during the Power Demo and Graduation Day of Women Entrepreneurs in Lubowa, Wakiso on Saturday. (Credit: John Masaba)

"We are curbing teenage pregnancies, solving issues of early marriages, and giving employment and economic security to young ladies across the country to be able to live a meaningful in the future, " she said. 

Dr Winnie Nabukeera, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, said with support from Power, she started a social enterprise located in Kitende, Entebbe Road. 

Soft skills 

Her enterprise specialises in soft skills and entrepreneurship skills, adding that they work with health care providers to address challenges of low patient care, poor communication skills and attitude issues. 

This is done by comprehensive capacity building of the health providers. 

"It's been transformational because, through the training under Power, I was able to put my idea right, " she said. 

Power project director Hassan Wasswa said the program targets women between the ages of 18 and 35. 

He said although the focus is mainly on helping domestic violence survivors, they are cognizant of the rising unemployment challenge. 

"The world needs more entrepreneurs, " he said.