Kaziimba challenges top managers to confront sexual harassment at workplaces

_________________

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has urged top managers to take firm action against sexual harassment in workplaces.

He implored senior managers and supervisors to uphold integrity, warning that unethical conduct damages both institutions and individual reputations.

Dr Kaziimba singled out some men in senior management who demand sex from female employees in exchange for promotion, noting that such behaviour tarnishes their public image.

“Men, you are warned, don’t be diverted, keep your integrity. There are some men who have made some women uncomfortable (sexual harassment) in workplaces,” Dr Kaziimba said.

He added that some men tell female staff they will not be promoted unless they agree to have sex with their supervisors.

The Archbishop of Church of Uganda Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba (left) interacts with the chief executive officer of NHCC Eng. Kenneth Kaijuka (centre) and director of Housing Bank Annette Kihuguru (right) after the new year prayer breakfast of National Housing at Crested Towers in Kampala on Monday February 9, 2026. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

The Archbishop made the remarks during the New Year prayer breakfast for the National Housing and Construction Company Limited held at Crested Towers in Kampala on Monday (February 9).

Studies conducted in various corporate and workplace settings indicate that between 58 percent and 86 percent of women have experienced sexual harassment. The most common form is verbal abuse, accounting for 84 percent, followed by physical contact and solicitation for sexual acts.

According to the same studies, the profile of perpetrators shows that 41 percent are supervisors or executives, while 38 percent are colleagues.

On the health impact, a 2020 ActionAid Uganda survey revealed that 60 percent of women who experienced sexual harassment reported physical health problems, including insomnia, anxiety and high blood pressure.

The Employment Act 2006, under Section 7, mandates employers to put in place measures to prevent and investigate sexual harassment. However, Dr Kaziimba noted that these provisions are often abused or ignored.

He also cautioned women in workplaces against dressing in ways he described as seductive. He cited some women who dress in miniskirts and “see me through” attire.

The cleric described some dress codes as “follow me from behind”, referring to outfits with long slits at the back.

“There are some women who dress in a provocative manner and make men uncomfortable,” he said.

Surveys further show that although women are the primary targets of sexual harassment, men are also affected, with one study indicating that 44 percent of men have experienced some form of violence or harassment in their lifetime.

In terms of vulnerability, the studies show that new recruits and unmarried women are 36 percent more likely to be targets of sexual harassment.

Due to the sensitive nature of such incidents, only about 34 percent of victims report cases to management.

Dr Kaziimba emphasised the need to promote integrity in workplaces, families and the nation at large. He also urged top management to encourage dialogue rather than hatred when conflicts arise in the workplace.

The New Year prayer breakfast was held under the theme “Anchored in Christ for Unity, Stability and Peace,” drawn from Ephesians 2:14–17, which states: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”

On housing and construction, the Archbishop warned Ugandans against offering blood sacrifices when laying house foundations, describing the practice as evil. He emphasised that unless the Lord builds a house, the builders labour in vain, quoting from Psalms 127:1.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”

He urged Ugandans to depend on God when constructing houses, churches, schools and institutions of higher learning.

The Archbishop of Church of Uganda Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba (in purple robe behind row) and chief executive officer of NHCC Eng. Kenneth Kaijuka (sixth left behind row)pose for a group photograph with the top management of National Housing after the new year prayer breakfast of National Housing at Crested Towers in Kampala on Monday February 9, 2026. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

The chief executive officer of the National Housing and Construction Company, Eng. Kenneth Kaijuka, told guests that the event was the fourth such prayer breakfast organised by the company and is intended to bring stakeholders together to thank God and seek guidance in delivering its housing mandate.

Kaijuka said the National Development Plan IV mandates the organisation to construct 400 housing units per year.

He pledged to work with government institutions and the private sector to ensure the timely construction of housing for individual settlers, workplaces and commercial developments within the available financial resources.

The prayer breakfast was attended by representatives from the European Union, the African Development Bank, Housing Finance Bank, Stanbic Group and other stakeholders.