KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) – More than 60 women from Bwaise, Kimumbasa and neighbouring communities in Kawempe Division have been equipped with skills to combat gender-based violence (GBV), support survivors and promote economic independence amid growing concerns over domestic violence and insecurity in households.
The women, mobilised through Voice of Women Bwaise and Brave Women Kanyanya (BWK), have undergone specialised training in GBV case management, community advocacy and economic empowerment, with support from the International Justice Mission (IJM) Uganda.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening grassroots efforts to identify survivors, improve access to justice and empower vulnerable women to become financially self-reliant while helping other victims escape abusive situations.
Voice of Women Bwaise chairperson Kabagenyi Diana Asaba said the increasing cases of gender-based violence in surrounding communities were a major concern, warning that domestic abuse was threatening the safety and stability of families.
She made the remarks during a joint community clean-up exercise and GBV and intimate partner violence (IPV) advocacy and sensitisation workshop organised by Voice of Women Bwaise in partnership with BWK.
Held under the theme “End Violence Against Women and Children,” the event, supported by IJM Uganda, brought together politicians, religious and cultural leaders, Uganda Police Force officers, Kawempe Division technical officials, civil society organisations (CSOs) and media representatives.
Kabagenyi, accompanied by Robina Nyirabuntu, commended IJM Uganda for providing technical and logistical support towards a community mapping exercise that identified and mobilised dozens of GBV survivors from surrounding communities.
She explained that the mapping initiative had provided survivors with opportunities to enrol in specialised training programmes covering the management of GBV cases and economic empowerment.
According to her, the programmes have helped beneficiaries acquire practical skills to participate in income-generating activities, rebuild their lives and become agents of change in their communities.
She called on government to strengthen the capacity of Local Council leaders to handle initial GBV cases at village level, improve police investigations into GBV-related criminal cases and expedite judicial processes to ensure survivors receive timely justice.
Kabagenyi said empowering community structures was critical in ensuring that victims could report abuse, access appropriate support and pursue justice without unnecessary delays.
Leaders raise alarm over sanitation crisis
Beyond the GBV campaign, the engagement also exposed serious sanitation challenges facing residents of Jambula-Kimumbasa and neighbouring communities, with concerns over poor waste disposal, flooding and inadequate public toilet facilities dominating discussions.
The day’s activities started with a community clean-up exercise in Jambula-Kimumbasa, Bwaise II Parish, hosted at the LC1 offices and led by Kawempe Division Town Clerk Geoffrey Rwakabare and his technical team.
Rwakabare expressed concern after discovering that some residents had accumulated garbage within their households while others were allegedly dumping waste into a nearby drainage channel.
He warned that the irresponsible disposal of garbage was contributing to flooding, with overflowing water submerging homes and exposing residents to waterborne diseases.
The exercise highlighted the need for improved waste management practices and stronger community participation in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
