CPAR Uganda Ltd

The Executive Director of Akina Mama Wa Afrika is on point with this type of sexual and gender-based violence which we must all take seriously.

“In other cases, jilted lovers expose nude pictures of their ex-girlfriends on social media platforms in what is locally called “revenge porn”. In 2014 Desire Luzinda, a celebrated Ugandan musician, made a public apology after her ex- boyfriend leaked her nude pictures on social media.

“I want to apologise to my mother, daughter, family, friends, fans and any other people who have been offended by these images.… This was a breach of trust by someone I loved.… This person has not only abused that trust but now seeks to drag me down,” said Ms. Luzinda, who was charged under the 2014 Anti-Pornographic Act.

Since Ms. Luzinda’s incident, over 10 women have had their nude pictures leaked on social media by jilted lovers, resulting in public shaming and ridicule. “In all the revenge porn cases, women have been singled out for criticism while the offending men are never followed up,” says Eunice Musiime, the executive director of Akina Mama wa Africa, a pan-African women’s organization.”

Stephen Ssenkaaba in Uganda: Violence against women unabated despite laws and policies.

Women are the majority of Uganda’s population, but you would not know this from statistics on social media presence. Women are shying away from on-line presence because of cyber bullying and are thus excluded from important conversations on issues that have a direct impact on the quality of our lives and livelihoods.It is against this background that CPAR Uganda is on the drawing table designing a campaign against sexual and gender-based violence in Uganda.

Studies show that Bukedi Sub-Region has the highest rates of sexual and gender-based violence. For this reason, CPAR Uganda has already taken the decision to pilot its campaign against sexual and gender-based violence with a focus on Pallisa District.

Hon. Kevin Ojinga Kaala, our dear Woman Member of Parliament representing Pallisa in 11^th Parliament we pray that you will support our campaign by popularizing it among other woman members of parliament, in particular, and among the whole Parliament of Uganda.

Ms. Perry Aritua, Executive Director of the Women and Democracy Network – Uganda Chapter, we look to you for your expertise working with women in democracy. Now is the time to systematically tackle the issue starting with women in political leadership as the entry point.