Government has raised concern over the growing backlog of gender-based violence cases in Uganda’s courts, warning that thousands of women and girls are still waiting for justice. Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day celebrations, State Minister for Culture Peace Mutuuzo revealed that over 30 percent of pending cases in courts involve gender-based violence. The national […]
Government has raised concern over the growing backlog of gender-based violence cases in Uganda’s courts, warning that thousands of women and girls are still waiting for justice.
Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day celebrations, State Minister for Culture Peace Mutuuzo revealed that over 30 percent of pending cases in courts involve gender-based violence.
The national celebrations will take place on 8 March 2026 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected as chief guest.
According to government figures, 3,636 defilement cases and thousands of other gender-based crimes remain unresolved.
The High Court alone has 4,888 pending cases, with 1,818 cases stuck in the system for more than two years.
At the Chief Magistrate’s courts, there are 4,816 gender violence cases, including 865 backlog cases.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Mutuuzo said.
The minister said many women fail to access justice due to poverty, distance from courts, lack of legal awareness and weak witness protection laws.
As a result, many victims end up seeking help from informal community systems which often favour men.
“These systems are influenced by patriarchal attitudes that limit women’s ability to get justice,” she said.
Despite the challenges, government says progress has been made in empowering women.
Through the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, government has financed 21,948 women enterprises benefiting over 235,000 women.
Meanwhile, 24,228 youth enterprises worth Shs191 billion were funded last year, benefiting over 271,000 youth, including many young women.
Women now make up 34.5 percent of Parliament and about 40 percent of ministers.
Mutuuzo called on Ugandans to work together to end violence against women.
“Harmful cultural practices must be confronted. Silence and stigma must be broken. Survivors must be supported and not blamed,” she said.
She urged the public to attend the national celebrations at Kololo as Uganda joins the rest of the world to mark International Women’s Day 2026.
