Women and Girls Rights Advocacy-Uganda (WAGRAU) has raised alarm over the rising instances of violence against women and girls in Serere District, Eastern Uganda, causing significant anxiety among residents.
The organization reported that within a month, at least four females were murdered by their estranged partners. Deborah Akello, Executive Director of WAGRAU, emphasized the urgent need to address break-up violence to ensure the safety and rights of women and girls within families.
Akello highlighted alarming statistics from Serere HCIV, revealing that from January 21 to May 31, 2024, there were 77 reported cases of sexual assault and 137 cases of physical violence against females. Some victims were gang-raped, while others continue to grapple with the trauma.
Emmanuel Ojango, LC1 Chairman of Ojama Village, confirmed that the community is gripped by fear, following an attack on a student.
He noted that residents are abandoning their homes due to safety concerns. “New faces in the area cause panic, which can lead to dangerous situations for innocent visitors,” Ojango remarked, recounting an incident that prompted a security meeting to restore calm.
The recent victims include Scovia Apio, an 18-year-old student from Homewood Secondary School in Ochaapa Town Council, and Joyce Mary Ilolu, a 16-year-old pupil from Idupa Primary School in Olio Sub County. Both were killed on June 12 and July 12, 2024, respectively, by their alleged boyfriends. Betty Inangolet, 40, was also killed by her ex-husband, Jimmy Nsereko, on June 23, 2024, after a year of separation.
In another tragic case, 70-year-old Anne Mary Akello was strangled to death in Kidetok Town Council over her Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) cash. Two other women narrowly escaped similar attacks on the same day.
Hellen Ipiya, the mother of the deceased Scovia Apio, expressed her despair over the release of the primary suspect, apprehended in Kapelebyong District and later released from Serere Central Police Station. “This government doesn’t care about the poor people,” Ipiya lamented. “We’re left grieving while the perpetrator roams free. My daughter’s threats were ignored, and now there’s no justice.”
East Kyoga Regional Police Spokesman Edison Obukulem assured that security measures are being intensified, with intelligence gathering and increased deployment in Serere. He also mentioned that Apio’s case file is under review at the regional police headquarters following family complaints.
WAGRAU continues to advocate for the protection of women and girls, calling for immediate and effective interventions to combat the increasing violence and ensure justice for the victims.
