Stakeholders Commit to Strengthening Disability-Inclusive SGBV Response in Kapchorwa and Kween
Stakeholders in Kapchorwa and Kween districts have committed to strengthening efforts to address sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) among children and youth with disabilities following a one-day project inception meeting convened by Sabiny Transformation Initiative (STI).
The meeting, held at the Kapchorwa District Council Hall, brought together district leaders, development partners, and community representatives to discuss the implementation of a two-year partnership project aimed at promoting disability-inclusive SGBV prevention, protection, and response systems.
The initiative, titled “From Silence to Action and from Fear to Empowerment against SGBV among Children and Youth with Disabilities in Eastern Uganda,” is being implemented by STI in partnership with the Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD).
Under the arrangement, STI will oversee activities in Kapchorwa and Kween districts, while IDIWA will implement the project in Namutumba and Iganga districts.
While presenting the project concept, STI’s Project Coordinator Festo Majinjach said the project aims to empower two thousand four hundred and fifty children and youth with disability in Eastern Uganda and will cover health and education to CYWDs and their care givers, social inclusion in schools, health facilities and places of worship as well as establishing child and youth committees at local level.
Stakeholders acknowledged the heightened vulnerability of children and youth with disabilities to sexual and gender-based violence, largely driven by harmful social norms, stigma, systemic neglect, and gaps in service delivery. They emphasized the need for coordinated action to address these challenges and ensure inclusive access to protection services.
Martin Sakajja, Deputy Resident Commissioner (DRDC) Kapchorwa called for a mindset change among the communities. He expressed concern over the growing trend of settled negotiations outside the law which he says is contributing to SGBV in children and youth living with disabilities.
“We have witnessed issues of child marriages, teenage pregnancies and GBV in our communities but people are dying in silence. You see people negotiating behind curtains and withdrawing cases from the police” which he says challenges them enforcing the law contrary to Article 21 of the Constitution of Uganda on Freedom and Equality, and protection from all forms of discrimination hence advocating for mindset change.
Participants also reflected on national data indicating that children and youth with disabilities are significantly more likely to experience sexual violence compared to their non-disabled peers, yet their cases often remain underreported and inadequately addressed within existing systems.
Speaking on behalf of the District Community Development Officer Kapchorwa, Tina Cheptoyek, Senior Probation and Welfare Officer, Kapchorwa DLG hinted on the referral pathway of reporting cases of SGBV among CYWDs calling for a collective database for all coordination meetings to ensure proper documentation and follow-up.
Moses Kissa Toskin on behalf of CAO Kween expressed commitment and pledged to work with STI by “providing all the necessary support to ensure the objectives of the project are achieved”.
On Education, Freddie Chelimo, Kapchorwa District Principal Education Officer asked STI to consider extending the program to other areas with high cases of SGBV like Kapsinda, Gamogo, Chepterech and Kabeywa.
Sabiny Transformation Initiative highlighted its continued commitment to promoting gender equality, disability inclusion, and the rights of women and girls. The organization reaffirmed its role in working closely with district stakeholders, development partners, and communities across the Sebei sub-region to combat harmful cultural practices and strengthen community-based protection mechanisms.
The meeting concluded with a shared pledge among stakeholders to translate discussions into concrete actions, marking a significant step toward building safer, more inclusive communities for children and youth with disabilities.
