By Leonard Kamugisha Akida
The release of the 2025 Annual Crime Report by the Uganda Police Force offers a sobering reflection on the state of our society. While the report indicates a slight decline in sex related crimes, from 14,425 cases in 2024 to 12,606 in 2025, the reality beneath these figures is far more troubling.
Behind the numbers lies a painful narrative of vulnerability, systemic failure, and a society that continues to fail its most innocent members, women and girls.
The data is deeply disturbing. Of the 12,700 victims recorded last year, 10,654 were female juveniles. Even more alarming is the nature of the perpetrators. This is no longer just a question of stranger danger. When 94 pupils are defiled by teachers, 65 by guardians, and 40 by their own parents, it exposes a crisis within the very institutions meant to protect children. For many, the home and school are no longer safe havens, but places of hidden danger.
The physical and psychological toll is devastating. The 7,750 victims aged between 15 and 17 are not statistics. They are lives disrupted by trauma, HIV infection, unwanted pregnancies, and lasting mental health struggles, including depression.
Yet beyond the violence itself lies a second crisis, the failure of justice. Of the 12,606 cases reported, only 5,844 made it to court, and just 790 resulted in convictions. Thousands of cases remain pending or under investigation. In rape cases, the situation is even more dire, with only 22 convictions out of 1,675 reported incidents.
This slow pace of justice sends a dangerous message, that perpetrators can act with near impunity. It discourages survivors from speaking out and undermines trust in the system.
We must also confront the “dark figure” of crime, the countless cases that go unreported. Stigma, fear, victim blaming, and intimidation silence many survivors, meaning the true scale of sexual violence is far greater than official data suggests.
As we mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April, awareness alone is not enough. Prevention must move beyond policy documents and become a lived reality in our homes, schools, religious spaces, and communities.
We must act decisively.
First, the justice system must be strengthened to ensure timely handling of cases. Justice delayed must no longer mean justice denied.
Second, we must empower bystanders to act. Silence and inaction only enable abuse. Communities must shift from passive observation to active intervention.
Third, every platform must be used to drive awareness and change. Sexual violence occurs everywhere, homes, schools, workplaces, places of worship, public transport, streets, and online spaces. Whether through sermons, social media, or community dialogue, the message must be consistent, sexual violence is preventable, and consent is non negotiable.
The 2025 report may show marginal numerical improvement, but the continued vulnerability of girls reveals a deeper moral crisis. Sexual violence is not just a women’s issue. It is a national emergency that demands urgent, collective action.
If we are to see meaningful change, we must move beyond statistics and confront the reality they represent. The question is no longer whether the problem exists, but whether we are willing to act. Let 2026 be remembered not for the crimes recorded, but for the justice delivered.
The writer is a Ugandan Digital Journalist, Media Trainer, and SRHR Reporter trained by SRHR Alliance Uganda and Partners.
