GBV, teenage pregnancy cast shadow over Katakwi’s 16 days of activism

Katakwi, Uganda: Katakwi District has marked the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) amid alarming statistics showing rising cases of domestic abuse and teenage pregnancy across the district.

Speaking as the chief guest during the district commemoration held on Thursday at Usuk Town Council, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Stephen Ilemukorit Okure, urged families to strengthen mutual understanding within households as a key step toward ending gender-based violence.

“Alcohol abuse, especially waragi and marijuana, is a major contributor to violence in our society. We must bring this to an end in Katakwi to safeguard our communities,” Okure said.

He also blamed video halls, mobile phones and unchecked digital technologies for fuelling domestic conflict and abuse, warning that digital violence is increasingly destabilising families.

District records indicate that between January and September 2025, Katakwi registered 1,179 cases of teenage pregnancy and more than 500 incidents of gender-based violence. The RDC called on residents to utilise the peace provided under the NRM government to transform their households and escape poverty.

Katakwi District Chairperson Geoffrey Omolo commended development partners for their continued support in addressing GBV in Katakwi and the wider Teso sub-region. He urged religious leaders and other stakeholders to actively participate in prevention and response efforts.

Omolo also raised concern over the high HIV/AIDS burden in Teso, revealing that more than 36,000 people are living with HIV across the sub-region, with Soroti District leading, followed by Kumi and Katakwi.

He advised parents to closely monitor their children during the long holiday to protect them from infection and exploitation, while urging voters to elect leaders committed to community welfare in the 2026 general elections.

Katakwi District Vice Chairperson Joseph Echuman said district leaders are strengthening mechanisms to curb violence against women and girls. He appealed to couples to resolve family matters internally and avoid unnecessary interference from outsiders.

Matilda Okiror, the Human Resource Manager at Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organisation (SOCADIDO), one of the district’s development partners, encouraged community members to report all GBV cases to relevant leaders.

She cautioned women against prioritising alcohol consumption at the expense of family wellbeing, noting that SOCADIDO’s programmes focus on GBV prevention, environmental protection, food and nutrition security, and savings groups.

Susan Apio, a Project Officer on Gender at African Partner for Children Livelihoods, said her organisation has intensified interventions to reduce GBV across Katakwi. She revealed that more than 15 cases related to property ownership and food sales without spousal consent have been recorded, with men often disposing of household food without involving women.

Representing the Chief Administrative Officer, the Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS) for Katakwi District urged stakeholders to take firm action against perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Senior Probation Officer Betty Angiro presented district data showing that Katakwi Town Council recorded the highest number of GBV cases at 515, followed by Magoro Town Council with 96, Ongongoja 79, Toroma Town Council 76, Akoboi 71, Ngariam 51, Omodoi 45 and Usuk Sub-county 43. She added that a total of 564 GBV cases were officially registered during the period, with Katakwi Town Council alone accounting for 212 cases.

Angiro attributed the high incidence of teenage pregnancy to poor parenting, poverty and alcohol abuse, noting that increased drinking among women has also aggravated domestic violence. She urged parents to report teenage pregnancy cases to authorities to help curb the trend.

LCIII Chairperson of Usuk Town Council, Simon Peter Okot, described teenage pregnancy as a serious social crisis requiring collective action. He said the council has formed a strong committee to enhance security and address GBV cases, while appealing to government and NGOs to intensify community sensitisation.

Okot cautioned families against rushing every domestic dispute to police, advising that clan leaders and Community Development Officers (CDOs) should first handle manageable cases.

Grace Asengo, the Community Development Officer for Usuk Town Council, said her office receives numerous GBV cases weekly, involving women, girls and men. She revealed that in one week alone, her office registered 35 domestic violence cases, including one where a man allegedly broke his wife’s hand after she received a phone call late at night.

She called on government to expand access to sexual and reproductive health services across the region, especially for adolescents.

This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign is being observed under the theme: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”