Article 33 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 addresses several issues related to women’s rights, but it does not specifically address violence against women.
Uganda has enacted several laws addressing specific forms of violence against women:
1. Domestic Violence Act, 2010 and the Domestic Violence Regulations 2011
2. Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2010 and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Regulations 2013,
3. the Prohibition of Prevention in Trafficking of Persons Act, 2009 2009, including provisions against sexual exploitation.
4. Penal Code Act, 2007, including some provisions related to sexual offenses.
Uganda does not have a single unified national strategy on violence against women. However, it does have a range of policies and frameworks that address the issue of violence against women as part of broader efforts:
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The Uganda Women Parliamentary Association Strategic Plan, 2022-2026
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Uganda Interagency GBV Working Group, 5-year Interagency GBV Strategy (2021-2025)
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National Policy on Elimination of Gender Based Violence in Uganda (2016-2021)
Uganda has a law against sexual harassment in the workplace:
Employment Act, Part II, Section 7 – prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace and mandates sexual harassment policies.
The Penal Code (Article 115(3)) criminalizes ‘indecent assaults’, which include behaviours that constitute sexual harassment.
The Constitution of Uganda, 1995:
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Article 31: Guarantees equal rights for men and women at the time of, during, and at the dissolution of marriage. Includes equal rights regarding marriage, divorce, and family matters.
The Marriage Act, 1904:
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Regulates legal requirements for marriage in Uganda.
The Divorce Act, 1904:
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Governs the process of divorce for civil marriages. This act provides ground for divorce, which applies to both men and women.
The Marriage and Divorce of Mohammedans Act:
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Governs marriage and divorce among Muslims in Uganda, often results in gender inequality—particularly by allowing polygamy for men and granting them easier access to divorce than women.
The Customary Marriage (Registration) Act:
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Recognizes customary marriages and provides for their registration, these marriages must follow traditions and practices of local communities.
Article 31 of Uganda’s Constitution, sets the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 for women and men.
However, the Marriage Act 1904, Sections 17-19, sets the minimum legal age of marriage at 16 years for girls with parental consent.
Article 31 of Uganda’s Constitution, sets the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 for women and men.
However, the Marriage Act 1904, Sections 17-19, sets the minimum legal age of marriage at 16 years for girls with parental consent.
The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation, 2010 and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Regulations 2013.
Established in 2006, the Gender Based Violence Reference Group is a multi-sectoral coordination platform chaired by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and co-chaired by UNFPA. It brings together government, UN, civil society, and development partners to provide strategic direction, technical guidance, and coordination for gender based violence prevention and response. The Group has supported the development of key frameworks, including the National Policy and Standard Operating Procedures, and plays a central role in monitoring implementation and promoting a survivor-centered, evidence-based response.
The exact number is not available. However, the Uganda Judiciary with the Justice Law and Order Sector, with the support of the UNFPA, organized Sexual Gender-Based Violence court sessions which was held in courts based in 14 districts.
Uganda has a minimum of 6 core national legal aid service organizations, but through LASPNET’s umbrella network, there are over 40 legal aid providers active in the country.
Legal Aid Project (LAP) — Uganda Law Society (ULS)
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LAP, managed by the Uganda Law Society, operates 23 full legal aid clinics and 9 satellite clinics across the country, supported by international partners including UN Women, IRC, Danish Refugee Council, and others.
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These clinics provide free legal advice, representation, counseling, mediation, and case follow-up services, often targeting GBV survivors among other vulnerable groups.
FIDA Uganda
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The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-U) operates in over 20 districts, offering legal empowerment and public interest litigation aimed at women and children
LASPNET (Legal Aid Service Providers Network)
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LASPNET is an umbrella network currently with membership from over 40 civil society legal aid organizations, including LAP, FIDA-U, LAWUganda, ACTV, CEDOVIP, and others, and coordinates legal services, standards, advocacy, and sector-wide outreach
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Law & Advocacy for Women in Uganda (LAW-Uganda): focused on legal services, strategic litigation, and law reform for women’s rights, active since the 1990s and part of LASPNET.
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ACTV Uganda: provides legal aid to survivors of torture and violence, registered as a legal aid service provider, with specialized GBV-related services.
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Centre for Women Justice Uganda (CWJU): a women-led NGO working to provide legal empowerment and justice access specifically for women, especially around GBV and SRHR, though details on district-level reach are not publicly specified
While the exact number is not available, in 2020, 629 out of 711 cause-listed cases were successfully completed by these courts that held the Gender-Based Violence court sessions.
