How refugee survivors of GBV are finding hope in Uganda

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In refugee-generating situations, either during flight or in actual refugee circumstances, gender-based violence (GBV) is part of the hard realities.

GBV takes different forms, including rape, female genital mutilation, physical, psychological and emotional abuse, defilement and bride kidnapping in the name of ‘early marriage’ and sexual harassment.

These forms are heightened by the adverse conditions of lack of basic needs, unequal power relations, breakdown of institutions of social control and order, exposure to the dangers of group violence and low capacity of protection agencies. These agencies are either local or international, and the Governments. 

GBV continues to haunt many refugees in Uganda, but through counselling, skills training, and community support, some survivors are finding the strength to move forward.

For instance, South Sudanese refugee Mercy Durre recounted her painful experience after being rejected by her Ugandan partner's family.

“When I got pregnant in 2021, he took me in, but his family refused to accept me because I am South Sudanese,” she said, adding: “They spoke so many negative things about me that it became unbearable. Even after I left, they kept calling and saying horrible things, which broke me emotionally. I had no choice but to leave.”

Durre also mentioned that she was constantly abused both physically and verbally by her partner, but despite the rejection and the challenges of raising her child alone, she refused to give up.

“Life has been so hard. I am doing everything I can to take care of my son. NRC came into my life when I needed help the most. They offered me counselling, financial support, and a short course in hairdressing. Now, I work in a salon, and it has been a lifeline for me and my son,” she said, her voice tinged with both pain and gratitude.

Access to justice remains a daunting challenge for many survivors. Durre revealed how her attempts to report her emotional abuse were met with indifference.

“When I went to seek justice, they did not take my story seriously. It felt like my pain was invisible,” she said, highlighting the urgent need for better systems to support refugees seeking legal redress.

For Pastor James Mutegetsi, a Congolese refugee, the trauma runs deep, rooted in the horrors of war back home.

He described the plight of women and girls in his community who faced unimaginable violence.

“During the conflict in [DR] Congo, many women and girls were abducted, raped and forced to flee for their lives. Families were destroyed, and the forest became our only refuge. It was devastating,” he said.

Even with these scars, Mutegetsi has found solace in Uganda, where he is working to rebuild his life.

“The Ugandan government has treated us well by giving us asylum. We live and work together with host communities, supporting each other where we can. But we continue to pray for peace in Congo, so one day we can return to our homeland,” he added.

These testimonies came to light during a 16 Days of Activism Against GBV event organised by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on November 28, 2024, in Wakaliga, Kampala.

These stories, which are a microcosm of what many refugees face often, shed light on the emotional and physical toll of GBV, as well as the gaps in support systems that need urgent attention.

GBV among refugees in 2022, however, reduced by only 16 %(from 68% to 52%) instead of the desired 0 % decline (from 68% to 0%) leaving a big crevice of 52% not achieved, according to the 2022 Uganda Office of the Prime Minister's , department of refugee’s annual report.

Organisations like NRC and the African Women and Youth Action for Development (AWYAD) are working to bridge these gaps.

One of the men of the Nyamulenge tribe performing a dance that men did at their home during entertainment. (Photo by Dallen Namugga)

However, cultural stigma around reporting GBV, coupled with fear of retaliation or ostracism, prevents many survivors from coming forward. For South Sudanese refugees like Mercy Durre, entrenched gender norms add another layer of complexity, making economic independence and justice even harder to achieve.

Viola Ababiku, a project officer at AWYAD, emphasized the need for comprehensive support systems.

“We train women and girls in skills, including hairdressing and baking to empower them economically. So far, 120 young women have benefitted, and we continue to link survivors to medical and legal assistance,” she said.

NRC’s Male-Engaged programme has also been instrumental in engaging men in GBV prevention.

“We work with 500 role model men across Kampala to challenge harmful norms and advocate for systemic change. It is a collective responsibility, and it starts at the individual and family level,” Ababiku added.

Dixon Odur, NRC’s spokesperson, also acknowledged the significant challenges refugees face, including limited access to justice, economic opportunities, and basic services.

"Through our Information, counselling, and legal assistance (ICLA) programme, we help survivors with legal support to access justice and assert their rights, including land ownership and inheritance," Odur said.

He also emphasized the importance of creating safe learning environments for girls and providing economic opportunities for women to foster self-reliance, which "reduces their exposure to GBV and helps them rebuild their lives."

More targeted interventions needed

While progress is being made, survivors believe more targeted interventions are needed.

“We need more programmes to help victims gain skills and rebuild their lives,” Durre said. “It’s not the end of life. We can move on, but we need support to make it happen.”

As of March 2024, Uganda was host to approximately 1.66 million refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan. Refugees in Uganda face significant challenges, including inadequate shelter, strained healthcare systems, limited access to food, and difficulties in accessing education and livelihood opportunities.

Despite these obstacles, Uganda continues to maintain its open-door policy, supported by efforts from the government and international organizations to provide basic services and improve self-reliance for refugees.