Violence Against Children Prevention in Kabarole District (VACP) Project

Violence against children in Uganda remains a major and persistent threat to child well-being and development, despite existing legal and policy frameworks such as the Children’s Act and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, on which Uganda made a commitment to adopting regional child welfare protections, many continue to experience physical, emotional, and sexual violence in their homes, schools, and communities.

According to the Uganda Violence Against Children Survey, the scale of the problem is significant: three in four young adults in Uganda experience some form of violence during childhood, while one in three experience multiple forms of violence before the age of 18. The survey further shows that 35% of girls and 17% of boys experience sexual violence during childhood, while 59% of girls and 68% of boys experience physical violence. In many cases, parents, caregivers, intimate partners, peers, and authority figures were identified as perpetrators, highlighting that violence often occurs within trusted environments.

The consequences are wide-ranging and deeply harmful, including poor educational attainment, mental health challenges, substance abuse, increased vulnerability to exploitation, and the intergenerational cycle of violence. Children who experience violence are more likely to drop out of school, engage in risky behaviours, and face long-term social and economic disadvantage.

In Kabarole District and Fort Portal City, children and adolescents face heightened vulnerability due to intersecting challenges such as poverty, harmful social norms, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and weak parental support systems. Teenage pregnancy remains particularly concerning, with a study among secondary school students in Kabarole estimating rates at approximately 38%, compared to the national average of 32% at the time.

Additionally, children are exposed to violence in schools and communities, including harmful disciplinary practices, peer violence, weak child protection mechanisms, and limited psychosocial support. At household level, economic hardship often increases stress and conflict, exposing children to neglect and abuse, with strong evidence linking household vulnerability and harmful parenting practices to violence against children.

Addressing these challenges requires an integrated, community-driven approach that strengthens families, promotes positive parenting, empowers young people, improves safety in schools, and enhances coordination among child protection actors. This aligns with Uganda’s commitments under the National Child Policy, the National Strategy to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy, and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

This project is being implemented for a period of one year from 15^th June 2025 to 31^st May 2026 in Mugusu Sub-County, Mugusu Town Council, Kicwamba Sub-County, Kiko Town Council , Ruteete Sub- County Hakibaale sub-county, Harugongo Sub-county, Busoro Sub- County Division in Kabarole district and North Division and Central Division in Fort Portal city in Western Uganda.