General
Breaking the Silence on Digital and Gender-Based Violence: Male Changemakers Lead Makerere University’s Strides for Change
By Eric Tumwesigye and Cynthia Ayaa Komakec
Introduction
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive and entrenched human rights violations in Uganda. Within institutions of higher learning—spaces intended to cultivate intellectual rigor, ethical leadership, and civic responsibility—GBV persists in both visible and covert forms, often sustained by silence, stigma, and institutional inertia. As Uganda’s oldest and most influential public university, Makerere University bears a dual responsibility: to respond decisively to these challenges and to model transformative, ethical leadership for the nation.
It is within this context that the Strides for Change walk, led by 16 male changemakers during the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, emerges as a strategic and symbolic intervention. The initiative addresses both digital and offline forms of violence against women and girls and aligns with the 2025 global theme, UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls. It reflects a growing recognition that gendered harm increasingly transcends physical boundaries, manifesting in digital spaces in ways that exacerbate the vulnerabilities of female students, staff, and young women across Uganda.
Linking Digital Violence with Physical and Psychological Harm
As Uganda’s digital ecosystem continues to expand, emergent forms of violence have surfaced that intersect with, reinforce, and intensify established patterns of gender-based violence (GBV). Research undertaken by the Makerere University Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS), in collaboration with the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), documents the breadth and complexity of online GBV practices prevalent within the Ugandan context. Their study identifies a wide spectrum of digitally mediated abuses, including the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images (commonly referred to as revenge pornography), online sexual harassment, cyberbullying, stalking, hacking, doxing, digital surveillance, sexist and degrading commentary, trolling, impersonation, identity theft, and threats circulated through social media platforms (IGDS and WOUGNET, 2021, p. 18).
Crucially, these manifestations of digital violence are not confined to virtual environments. Rather, they produce tangible and often severe consequences that extend into survivors’ offline lives. Empirical evidence indicates that women are disproportionately targeted by online GBV compared to men, reflecting entrenched gendered power asymmetries that are reproduced and amplified within digital spaces (IGDS and WOUGWET, 2021, p. 34). Survivours frequently experience profound psychological harm, including heightened anxiety, depression, chronic fear, and diminished self-esteem (Monteagudo Martinez et al, 2020). In response to persistent victimisation, many withdraw from social, academic, and professional spheres as a protective strategy, while others face significant economic repercussions, such as job loss or reduced income, arising from stigma, reputational damage, and trauma.
Within university settings, the consequences of digital violence may escalate further, in some instances culminating in threats of, or exposure to, physical harm (Pew Research Center, 2014). Oksanen et al. (2022) demonstrate that online hostility and harassment within academic environments are associated with acute psychological distress and deteriorating social relations at work. As the authors observe, “victims experienced higher psychological distress and lower perceived social support at work—indicative of social isolation and disengagement in academic roles” (Oksanen et al., 2022, pp. 541–567). Such findings underscore the manner in which sustained online harassment undermines not only individual well-being but also academic participation and institutional belonging.
Similarly, Cassidy, Faucher, and Jackson’s (2017) examination of cyberbullying in higher education institutions highlights the pervasive sense of insecurity engendered by digitally mediated abuse. Their study reports that “victims reported stress, anxiety, and threats to safety, reinforcing that harassment in academic settings is not merely emotional but also threatens well-being” (Cassidy, et al, 2017, p. 888). These dynamics contribute to academic disengagement, social isolation, and long-term reputational damage, with potentially enduring implications for future employment and career trajectories. Taken together, this body of evidence illustrates that digital violence functions as an extension of physical and emotional abuse, forming part of a broader continuum of harm. By eroding women’s psychological health, social participation, academic engagement, and professional prospects, online GBV undermines women’s safety, dignity, and capacity to participate fully in public and academic life. Addressing digital violence, therefore, is not merely a matter of regulating online conduct but a critical component of broader efforts to combat gender-based violence in all its interconnected forms.
The Role of Male Changemakers: Transforming Culture and Accountability
The Strides for Change campaign strategically positions men as visible allies in gender equality advocacy—not to displace women’s lived experiences, but to confront and dismantle patriarchal norms from within. Male changemakers play a pivotal role in advancing cultural transformation and accountability through three interrelated contributions.
First, they reframe gender-based violence (GBV) as a structural and societal concern rather than a “women’s issue,” underscoring its profound implications for human rights, social justice, and national development. This perspective is exemplified by Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentogo, one of the 16 male changemakers commemorated during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Drawing on his experience as an active social media user, he highlights the increasing prevalence of body shaming, slut shaming, and other forms of online abuse that silence girls and women and undermine their meaningful digital participation. He calls on all social media users to recognise, challenge, and reject such harmful language, emphasising that the creation of safe and inclusive online spaces for women is a shared societal responsibility.
Second, male changemakers model positive and accountable masculinities by publicly rejecting norms that equate masculinity with dominance, entitlement, or complicity in abuse. Ugandan musician and producer Navio articulates this stance by acknowledging the cultural power of artistic expression, stating that his lyrics will not perpetuate harm and that consent represents “the rhythm of respect”—not only in creative spaces, but in everyday life. Such public commitments challenge harmful gender norms while offering alternative, ethical frameworks for masculine identity.
Third, male changemakers broaden the reach and effectiveness of advocacy by engaging other men in critical dialogue, often within spaces that women may be unable to access safely or strategically. This engagement is strengthened through intellectual and academic platforms, including presentations at the Makerere University Men’s Forum, where evolving scholarship on masculinity is examined and translated into practical strategies for social transformation. Through this combination of peer engagement, cultural influence, and scholarly reflection, male changemakers contribute meaningfully to the collective effort to prevent GBV and advance gender justice.
Institutional Commitments to Gender Equality and the Elimination of Sexual Harassment
Through the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), Makerere University continues to demonstrate institutional leadership in advancing gender equality and addressing sexual harassment. The launch of the Strides for Change campaign reaffirmed the University’s commitment to the following priority areas:
Strengthening Reporting and Accountability Mechanisms
Makerere University has established confidential, survivour-centred reporting and redress systems to ensure the timely investigation and adjudication of GBV cases. These mechanisms enforce stringent sanctions, including disciplinary action, against individuals who engage in sexual exploitation, harassment, or the solicitation of sexual favours in exchange for academic or professional advancement. The GMD supports the continuous operationalisation and improvement of these accountability frameworks.
Expanding Psychosocial and Legal Support for Survivours
The University is committed to enhancing access to high-quality psychosocial care, legal aid, and referral services for survivours of GBV. The GMD coordinates capacity-building initiatives for service providers and strengthens partnerships with relevant institutions to ensure comprehensive and survivours-centred support.
Institutionalising Male Allyship and Transformative Engagement
Makerere University is advancing a structured approach to male allyship by formalising male and female champion networks that collaborate in dialogue, advocacy, and behavioural change initiatives. This includes integrating men into gender training programmes and encouraging visible public commitments, such as participation in the Strides for Change walk. The GMD leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of these transformative engagement strategies.
Conclusion
Makerere University’s Strides for Change walk and the male changemakers programme, implemented in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden and the United Nations Population Fund, represent a significant milestone in the fight against gender-based violence. By confronting the interconnected realities of digital and physical violence, addressing entrenched patterns of sexual harassment, and mobilising male allies as agents of change, the University sets a compelling precedent for institutional and national transformation.
Ending GBV is not solely a policy imperative; it is a cultural, structural, and ethical commitment. These initiatives align with Makerere University’s broader strategic commitment to inclusive excellence, ethical leadership, and safeguarding the well-being of its academic community.
When men stand in solidarity with women, when institutions centre survivours voices, and when society collectively rejects the normalisation of violence, Uganda moves closer to a future in which every woman and girl can pursue her aspirations free from fear, intimidation, and harm. The Strides for Change campaign is therefore more than a march—it is a call to conscience, a model for action, and a promise of a safer and more just society for generations to come.
Acknowledgement
The Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Makerere University, extends its appreciation to the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and all development partners who participated in the Strides for Change walk and the series of activities conducted during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive, 360-degree approach towards achieving zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
References:-
- Cassidy Wanda, Faucher Chantal and Jackson Margaret (2017): Adversity in University: Cyberbullying and Its Impacts on Students, Faculty and Administrators, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health journal, Article 14(8) page 888
- Institute of Women and Development Studies and Women of Uganda Network (2021): Not Just a Trend: Assessing the Types, Spread and the Impact of Online Gender Based Violence in Uganda, Research Report.
- Monteagudo Martinez (2020): Cyberbullying in the University Setting. Relationship With Emotional Problems and Adaptation to the University, Frontiers in Psychology journal, Article: 10:3074
- Oksanen et al. (2022) — Hate and harassment in academia: the rising concern of the online environment, Vol. 84, pages 541 – 567
- Pew Research Center (2014): Part 4: The Aftermath of Online Harassment, Pew Research Center, Published on October 22, 2014
Eric Tumwesigye and Cynthia Ayaa Komakec are the Senior Gender Officer and Gender Officer respectively at the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Makerere University
In a landmark event symbolizing Uganda’s stride towards sustainable transportation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, commissioned the first Electric Fast-Charging Station at Makerere University on Friday 13th March 2026. The ceremony, held at the Senate Building Parking Lot, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s e-mobility journey, blending academic innovation with industrial application and governmental support.
The station, a DC Fast Charger C6-180 installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), is designed to power electric vehicles efficiently, supporting Uganda’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This setup ensures high-power DC charging ideal for fleet operations.
Hon. Dr. Musenero, in her keynote remarks, highlighted the profound significance of the occasion, tracing its roots back to 2011 when Makerere unveiled the Kiira EV – Uganda’s first electric vehicle prototype. “This infrastructure is the physical manifestation of a journey that began on this very hill nearly two decades ago,” she stated, emphasizing how the university’s initial proof-of-concept challenged skepticism about Africa’s role in automotive technology.
The event, she noted, completes a narrative full circle, with the birthplace of the Kiira EV now hosting the infrastructure to sustain a modern electric fleet. The commissioning aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy, which aims to localize 65% of the e-mobility value chain by 2040 and create over 500,000 high-quality green jobs.
Hon. Dr. Musenero underscored the strategy’s focus on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels while enhancing environmental well-being. “We are transforming Uganda into a net source of e-mobility solutions,” she declared, pointing to the potential for Ugandan intellect to produce vehicle parts and charging systems domestically.
In his remarks at the event, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe described the launch as a “multi-faceted achievement,” not only advancing the institution’s inclusive agenda but also setting an example for public institutions in adopting e-mobility. In so doing, Makerere University has positioned itself at the forefront of this transition.
On September 26, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja and handed over three Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) buses to Makerere University to enhance staff and student mobility. The fleet included two diesel-powered Kayoola Coaches and one electric Kayoola EVS 8.5m bus donated by KMC specifically to aid the movement of differently-abled staff and students. This move demonstrates academia’s capacity to integrate home-grown solutions into daily operations, impacting the economy through practical science.
The commissioning of the fast-charging station is rooted in a long history of collaboration. The Kiira Electric Vehicle Project, hatched in the former Faculty of Technology, has evolved into a national movement for automotive manufacturing. Hon. Dr. Musenero praised this progression: “We have moved beyond proving that an electric vehicle can be built in Uganda. We are now ensuring our electric vehicles are deployed across the continent, solving Africa’s mobility problems.”
Academia’s role remains central, as Hon. Dr. Musenero elaborated. While government provides policy frameworks and the private sector offers capital, universities supply the essential knowledge. The E-Mobility Skilling Programme at Makerere University‘s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) is training the next generation of electric vehicle engineers, who are tackling “moonshot projects” to redefine urban transport. Research into optimizing local resources, such as Uganda’s lithium and cobalt deposits for battery production, is also underway.
A key environmental highlight of this development is Uganda’s renewable energy advantage. With over 95% of the national grid powered by hydroelectric dams, every charge at this station utilizes clean energy. “We are using our own water to power our own vehicles, keeping our wealth within our economy rather than exporting it to purchase foreign oil,” Hon. Dr. Musenero remarked, framing the launch as Uganda plugging into the global renewable shift. She pledged the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat’s continued collaboration with Makerere University, KMC, and partners to proliferate such stations across Kampala and beyond.
Addressing Makerere students, Hon. Dr. Musenero issued a challenge: “See this charging station as a symbol of your own potential. The engineers who built the first Kiira EV were once sitting exactly where you are. They did not wait for permission to be great.” She urged them to leverage available resources to innovate, building on a legacy that has shifted national conversations.
The event drew distinguished guests, including Members of Management, Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi, KMC’s CEO and his management team, private sector partners, development agencies, and university faculty.
Looking ahead, this launch propels Uganda towards a “Qualitative Leap” in its economy, as Hon. Dr. Musenero described. By fostering innovation and investing in young minds, the nation aims to lead in technological advancement. The station not only powers vehicles but ignites progress, ensuring Uganda remains at the forefront of Africa’s e-mobility revolution.
As the ceremony which was intermittently “blessed” by drizzles drew to a close, the feeling of hope for a cleaner, self-reliant future – one charged by Ugandan ingenuity, was unmistakable.
General
Makerere University and International Partners Sign MoU for the 9th Kampala Geopolitics Conference
Makerere University, on 10th March, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), scheduled to take place on 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University.
The signing formalizes the continued partnership that has established the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as one of the region’s leading platforms for dialogue on global affairs, bringing together scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, and students to debate the major geopolitical and socio-economic transformations shaping the world.
The conference, inspired by the Nantes Geopolitics Conference in France, was first launched in Kampala in 2018 and has since grown into a unique intellectual space for cross-continental exchange between Africa and Europe.
A Platform for Ideas, Dialogue, and Youth Engagement
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, emphasized the importance of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as a platform that connects academic discourse with global policy conversations while empowering students to engage with the complex challenges shaping the international system.
The Vice Chancellor noted that hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s long-standing commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and global dialogue.
“Makerere University is proud to host the Kampala Geopolitics Conference because it creates an important platform for debate and exchange on the global issues shaping our world, while giving our students the opportunity to engage directly with leading thinkers and policymakers,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe further commended the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala for their continued collaboration with Makerere University in organizing the conference over the years. He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition will once again provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, bringing together scholars, policymakers, and students to examine the geopolitical trends shaping Africa and the wider world.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, highlighted the significance of the conference as a platform that encourages dialogue on global issues while empowering young people to participate in shaping the future.
Since its inception, the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has created opportunities for students, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage with some of the most pressing global debates. The Ambassador noted that the curiosity and engagement of Ugandan students have become one of the defining features of the conference.
“This conference has become a unique space where students, researchers, policymakers and civil society exchange ideas on the major transformations shaping our world,” Ambassador Leroy said, adding that the event demonstrates the intellectual vitality of Uganda’s youth and the strength of the partnerships that sustain it.
Strengthening Partnerships for Global Dialogue
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a long-standing partner in the initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting platforms that foster meaningful discussions on international affairs and regional dynamics.
Speaking during the ceremony, Anna Reismann, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Uganda, emphasized the importance of the conference in connecting local perspectives with global debates.
She noted that Africa has increasingly become a focal point in global geopolitics, attracting engagement from a wide range of international actors through investments, trade, security cooperation, and diplomatic partnerships. While these engagements create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement, they also raise important questions about sustainability, governance, and the terms of international cooperation.
According to Reismann, the conference provides an important forum to examine these issues and to encourage dialogue that bridges academic perspectives with practical policy considerations.
The 2026 edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference will focus on key global and regional issues shaping international relations and development.
Among the themes to be explored are the future of development cooperation, particularly as global aid dynamics evolve and countries explore more sustainable and balanced partnerships. Another panel will examine youth and public policy in Africa, recognizing the critical role that young people play in shaping governance, innovation, and development across the continent.
With Africa home to the youngest population in the world, discussions will highlight the importance of ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of public policies but also active contributors to their design and implementation.
Makerere University at the Centre of Global Conversations
Hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s continued commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and international dialogue.
Through its partnerships with global institutions such as the Embassy of France, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala, Makerere continues to create platforms that connect academic knowledge with policy discussions and real-world challenges.
The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is expected to once again bring together leading experts, scholars, and practitioners from across Africa and Europe, while providing students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with global debates.
As preparations for the 2026 edition gather momentum, the partners expressed confidence that the conference will continue to inspire critical thinking, encourage dialogue across disciplines and generations, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and its international partners.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
-
General2 weeks agoCall for Applications: Diploma Holders under Government Sponsorship 2026/2027
-
General2 weeks agoAdvert: Admissions for Diploma/Degree Holders under Private Sponsorship 2026/27
-
General2 weeks agoExtension of Application Deadline for Diploma/Degree Holders 2026/2027
-
General2 weeks agoMakerere University and World Bank Sign Partnership to Strengthen Environmental and Social Sustainability Capacity
-
Natural Sciences2 weeks agoMakerere University Researchers Awarded UCIF Grant to Tackle Maize Contamination with Innovative Plant-Based Fungicide