Agago Clan Leaders Commit to Fighting GBV

Clan chiefs in Agago have been asked to join the fight against rampant cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the district.   Agago district leads in cases of domestic violence in the Acholi Sub-region. 

In 2024, Agago district registered 8,620 cases of GBV, according to reports by the Northern Uganda Widows and Orphans Support Organisation (NUWOSO). This figure is more than 50 percent of the 14,073 domestic cases quoted in the same year's Annual Police Crime Report.

Due to the alarming cases of domestic violence in the district, NUWOSO, under their Action for Change program, has trained 25 clan leaders in the district in promoting a cultural shift towards respect and equality, and protection of women and girls against GBV. 

Kissinger Oryem, the Head of Programs at NUWOSO, noted that the cases of violence in Agago cut across all ages and genders, and there is a need for a commitment by all stakeholders to reduce the violence drastically.

According to Oryem, the constant fights over resources are the main reason the sub-region is lagging in development. 

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Milton Obote Ali, the chairperson of the Pedi Cung Kal clan, pledged that the clan chiefs will soon form a committee and meet all clan members to discuss ways of reducing violence in homes and communities, especially against orphans and widows. 

Obote explained that the rampant level of poverty among communities is partly because of a lack of community and family support for orphans and widows.  

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David Okello Obina, the Prime Minister of Otongo Clan, said the clan would start moving door to door in the fight against domestic violence while implementing the by-law against GBV, and anyone who disobeys will be penalised by the supreme law of the country. 

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Vicky Filder Alok, an officer in charge of child and family welfare in Agago district, appealed to members of the community, especially the married ones, to embrace the spirit of forgiveness, mutual respect, and the fear of God, as one of the core values needed to end domestic violence.

According to Alok, one of the common causes of domestic violence is the fight over resources.   She explained that in most cases, spouses sell family and use the money without the other’s consent, leading to fights.

Alok also said the rampant poverty in households makes spouses become bitter and lose respect for each other, leading to fights. 

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