Makerere University hosted the launch of the “Safer Campuses Campaign,” aimed at shattering the silence surrounding Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across universities in Uganda.

The initiative is being piloted at Makerere University and its branch campus in Jinja, Ndejje University, and Kampala International University, in partnership with UNESCO.

On 4^th October 2024, more than three universities convened at Makerere University Freedom Square to witness the event, which is a crucial step toward tackling GBV in higher education institutions.

A significant feature of the campaign is the unveiling of the Yamba App, designed to provide students with sexual and reproductive health information, as well as access to professional and peer counseling services.

The project seeks to promote positive health, education, and gender equality outcomes in Uganda’s tertiary institutions by reducing rates of new HIV infections, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence.

At Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor, the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the 90^th Students’ Guild through its Ministry of Gender, Ethics and Integrity are maximally involved in championing the Safer Campuses Campaign.

“We (especially we men), must stand firm against Gender Based Violence. We must protect our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives, so that they can be able to more meaningfully contribute to the development of society,” stated the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, while endorsing the publicity efforts for the Safer Campuses Campaign.

The Vice Chancellor was represented at the launch of the Safer Campuses Campaign by the Dean of Students, Mrs. Winfred Kabumbuli, who expressed pride in Makerere’s legacy of promoting gender equality.

She highlighted that Makerere was the first university in sub-Saharan Africa to establish a Department of Women Studies in 1991, a step toward building a more inclusive education system.

“Makerere University has had a history of promoting gender awareness and protection of individuals for a long time ago. When this university started, it was a male institution, but it was realized that one gender cannot build a country, so the motto of this university was intentionally changed from “Let us be men” to “We build for the future,” she said.

“The ‘we’ in our motto is not accidental, and increasingly over the years, this university has worked to make the motto a reality to all who come here. It is a well-known fact that Makerere University was the first to create the Department of Women Studies in 1991 in sub-Saharan Africa. This is important history, it shows that we have worked hard to build the blocks of an all-inclusive education,” she added.

Mrs. Kabumbuli also noted that the university has produced many prominent human rights activists, making Makerere a natural home for those dedicated to the fight against GBV. She referenced notable figures such as Prof. Joy Kwesiga, Prof. Sylvia Tamale, and Prof. Ruth Mukama, who have been at the forefront of human rights and gender equality advocacy.

“Makerere’s desire is to fight for both the rights of boys and girls. There are names on this campus for instance Joy Kwesiga, Sylvia Tamale, Joe Oloka-Onyango, Ruth Mukama among others, renowned for the fight for human rights, politics, and this fight for gender and educational rights,” she said.

“So when I say feel at home and feel inspired to fight and raise awareness of how precious and valuable each human being is, I have a basis and platform,” she remarked.

Dr. Primrose Nakazibwe of Ndejje University shared alarming findings from a recent survey among higher education institutions, which revealed that a significant number of male students believe physical violence against women is acceptable in cases of disagreement. She called for concerted efforts to change these harmful attitudes.

“Almost 90% of the boys in these institutions of higher learning believe that it is okay to beat a woman because it is the right thing. So when they grow up with such attitudes, these boys are going to beat our daughters like chicken thieves. So the efforts to correct this mindset have been amplified in the sixteen days of activism,” she stated.

Mr. Charles Draecabo, the team leader at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said that Education is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of sustainable development, peace, and prosperity.

He warned that anything disrupting students’ education such as GBV also threatens broader development goals, and therefore expressed belief that the Safer Campuses Campaign would contribute significantly to reducing these threats.

“Education is not only a fundamental Human right but also the cornerstone of sustainable development, peace and prosperity. Across the globe you know that UNESCO and the UN in general continue to prioritize efforts to address GBV, sexual harassment, and harmful social norms,” he said.

“The focus of Safer Campuses Campaign launch is therefore an integral part of this global agenda as we look to foster an environment where every student regardless of the gender can pursue his or her education free from violence,” he added,

Ms. Angela Nakafeero, the Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development said that because of the exposure brought by the Internet and technology, many students have been forced into lifestyles that affect their lives and subsequently impact their education. These include early pregnancies, HIV/AIDS infections, and abortions among others.

Ms Nakafeero rallied stakeholders to form partnerships that ensure that the young people use technology and the Internet for only important things, and avoid getting information that does not add value to their lives. 

Hajji Mukwatampola Muzamiru, Commissioner for Admissions, Scholarships and Students Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Sports, who represented the Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. John C. Muyingo, underscored the government’s concern about the rising levels of GBV. He revealed that the Safer Campuses Campaign was a timely intervention, particularly in light of research indicating that 25% of female students and nearly 30% of male students believe wife-beating is justifiable.

“Research reports from the O3PLUS project revealed that over 25% of female students and nearly 30% of male students believed that violence such as wife beating is justifiable. While 5.2% have experienced forced sexual activity in their lives and many students lack the critical knowledge and support to make safe and informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health,” he said.

“These statistics are a representation of deeply embedded cultural and social norms that spread violence in our activities. This reality is unacceptable, violence should have no place in our education system where young minds should flourish in safety – free from fear and intimidation,” he added.

On his part, Makerere University Guild President, H.E. Vincent Lubega Nsamba, affirmed students’ commitment to raising awareness about GBV and promoting a culture of respect, dignity, and equality.

“We the students of higher education institutions, shall raise awareness about any form of gender-based violence in our universities, we shall promote a culture of respect, dignity, equality, nonviolence among students, faculty and non-staff, we shall continue educating one another about sexual health,” he said.

“We shall support one another about any form of sexual harassment. We shall establish a confidential accessible reporting mechanism for victims of GBV ensuring that survivors are supported and that their cases are handled sensitively,” he stated.

The Safer Campuses Campaign is a regional campaign with universities from Uganda, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya participating in the implementation of various initiatives/ programmes aimed at fighting against Gender Based Violence.