A recent survey has revealed that fear of retaliation and a lack of trust in Makerere University’s reporting systems are forcing many female students to endure sexual harassment in silence. The Kicking Sexual Harassment out of Higher Education Institutions (KISH) survey found that over 80% of the 317 female students interviewed had experienced sexual harassment, yet 91% of them did not report the incidents.
Investigators attribute this alarming silence to perceptions of inadequate support and ineffective reporting mechanisms. "The systems are not functional; they exist only for formality," a female respondent said, highlighting dismissive attitudes from authorities. She recounted how complaints about inappropriate behavior are often trivialized, further discouraging victims from coming forward.
Dr. Euzobia Baine Mugisha, director of the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate at Makerere, acknowledged the persistent fear of consequences, noting that this hinders institutional action. The survey also showed that 56% of harassed students were unaware of the available mechanisms for addressing such issues, pointing to a dire need for awareness campaigns.
The university is now calling for proactive measures to combat the issue. "Every lecture should start with a brief on sexual harassment prevention," said Ms. Joy Sserunjoji, the students’ guild vice president. She also recommended empowering students through leadership initiatives and testimonials to normalize reporting.
Addressing the systemic nature of harassment, lead researcher and gender studies lecturer, Ms. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo, emphasized the need for collective responsibility. "Engaging both men and women, including male staff, is critical to creating a harassment-free environment," she said.
Students have also voiced solutions, with Ms. Edronah Atuhweirire, a 4th-year Social Work student, advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of the reporting process. She suggested establishing a dedicated sexual harassment office and ensuring proactive support to encourage victims to speak up.
Male students, represented by Mr. Akram Amannya, stressed the importance of gender-transformative approaches that involve men as allies in addressing harassment.
The KISH report mirrors broader concerns in Uganda, where a 2021 UBOS study found that one in three women aged 15 to 49 experienced sexual harassment. The Uganda Police’s 2023 crime report also documented over 17,000 cases of domestic violence, many involving sexual harassment.
While Makerere’s efforts to address these issues are ongoing, the findings underline an urgent need for robust systems, awareness campaigns, and institutional accountability to break the silence surrounding sexual harassment. Sexual harassment causes fear, low self-esteem, academic decline, emotional trauma, social isolation, and distrust in university systems among students.
