Arua, Uganda: The Alur Kingdom has endorsed a two-year anti-violence initiative by MEMPROW, rallying traditional leaders and communities to support efforts aimed at tackling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and empowering girls and young women.
The project, titled “Strong Voices: Uganda Against SGBV – Bridging Feminist Voices”, was officially launched on April 29, 2026, at Arua City Hall, drawing stakeholders from cultural institutions, government, religious bodies, and security agencies.
Implemented in partnership with Medica Mondiale, the initiative will run in West Nile districts of Arua and Zombo, as well as Kampala, focusing on leadership development, mindset change, and strengthening grassroots feminist movements.
Speaking on behalf of His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Ularker III, Prime Minister Lawrence Opar Angala (Jadipu) urged communities to fully embrace the programme.
“We need to support them in their meetings, trainings, and all the support they need,” Opar said, pledging to mobilise traditional leaders across the kingdom for community ownership.
He linked the initiative to the Kingdom’s Kura Matira (good morals) agenda, which promotes education, protection of the girl child, and elimination of harmful cultural practices.
Stakeholders Call for Collective Action
MEMPROW Project Officer Kayom Sunday emphasised the need for collective responsibility in addressing SGBV. “We expect more from you as leaders… with all the high-profile stakeholders here, we believe this project will have a strong start,” he said.
Leaders highlighted persistent challenges, including teenage pregnancies and sexual violence. In Zombo District alone, 3,896 teenage pregnancies were recorded between 2024 and 2025.
Zombo Vice LCV Chairperson Grace Olero stressed the need to amplify marginalized voices. “We have the voices here, but there are many voiceless women. We need to ensure their challenges are heard,” she said.
Arua District LCV Chairperson Alfred Okuonzi called for dismantling harmful norms. “We need to sideline patriarchal practices and build women’s voice, choice, and power,” he noted.
Assistant RCC Judith Bako urged unity among women. “We need to hold our hands as women and move together,” she said, pointing to challenges such as domestic and psychological abuse.
The project launch comes amid alarming national statistics. According to the Uganda Police Force 2025 Annual Crime Report, Uganda recorded 12,361 domestic violence cases, with 7,520 involving adult women.
Sex-related offences stood at 12,606 cases, with over 80% of victims being female juveniles—highlighting the urgency of interventions targeting young girls.
A Movement for Change
The initiative aims to build a strong, youth-driven feminist movement that challenges patriarchal norms, promotes peaceful co-existence, and strengthens protection systems for women and girls.
With backing from cultural institutions like the Alur Kingdom, spanning 56 chiefdoms in Uganda and 8 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, stakeholders expressed optimism that the project will drive meaningful change at both community and policy levels.
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