Health, gender-based violence, and children’s rights in Uganda: Insights from the 2025 Police crime report

31 March 2026, 5:20 pm

Byamukama Alozious

The Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025 shows a continued decline in overall crime, but reveals persistent and serious concerns in Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child protection, and related public health impacts affecting women and children across Uganda.

In 2025, a total of 196,405 crime cases were reported nationwide, down from 218,715 cases in 2024, representing a 10.2% decrease. Despite this overall improvement, specific categories such as sex-related offences, domestic violence, and child-related crimes remain a major concern for law enforcement, health systems, and communities.

GBV continues to be one of the most significant social and health challenges. The report shows that 12,606 sex-related cases were recorded in 2025, down from 14,425 cases in 2024, representing a 12.6% decrease. However, the burden on victims remains severe. A total of 12,700 victims were recorded, including 10,654 female juveniles, indicating that girls remain the most affected group. These cases include rape, defilement, and other forms of sexual violence, which often result in physical injuries, psychological trauma, unwanted pregnancies, and long-term health complications.

The defilement sub-category remains particularly alarming. In 2025, Police recorded 10,492 defilement cases, a decrease from 12,312 cases in 2024. Out of these, 7,750 victims were aged 15–17 years, while 1,894 were aged 9–14 years, showing that most victims are school-age children and adolescents. The report also indicates that 191 children were defiled by HIV-positive persons, while others were abused by teachers, guardians, parents, and caregivers, highlighting the complexity and proximity of perpetrators.

Women’s safety remains under pressure, particularly in domestic environments. The report records 12,361 domestic violence cases in 2025, down from 14,073 cases in 2024. In addition, 208 cases of murder resulting from domestic violence were reported in 2025, an increase from 183 cases in 2024, representing a 13.7% rise in domestic violence-related killings. Victims included both men and women, but women remain highly exposed in intimate partner settings. This shows that while general reporting of domestic violence cases may have reduced, the severity of outcomes has worsened in some instances.

Children remain among the most vulnerable groups in Uganda’s crime landscape. The report shows 8,064 child-related offences in 2025, down from 9,408 cases in 2024. These include child neglect (3,023 cases), child disappearance or missing children (2,092 cases), child desertion (1,205 cases), and child abuse or torture (710 cases). Other cases include child trafficking, abduction, and infanticide. Regionally, North Kyoga (682 cases),KMP North (662 cases), and Wamala (461 cases) recorded the highest child-related offences, showing urban and high-population pressure areas are most affected.

From a public health perspective, GBV and child abuse continue to place a heavy burden on Uganda’s health system. Survivors often require emergency medical care, post-rape treatment, psychological support, and medico-legal documentation for court use. However, the report highlights ongoing challenges such as limited forensic capacity, delays in investigations, stigma, and under-resourced health and justice coordination systems, which affect timely response to survivors.

The Uganda Police Force notes that homicide cases stood at 4,238 in 2025, with domestic violence identified as one of the leading contributing factors. In total, 4,268 homicide victims were recorded, showing that violence remains deeply embedded in social and household structures.

Despite these challenges, the justice system shows progress. Out of the total 196,405 cases, 79,291 cases were taken to court, and 31,732 persons were convicted and sentenced, reflecting ongoing enforcement efforts. The Police also emphasize strengthened collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, local councils, and health institutions to improve case handling and survivor protection.

In conclusion, the 2025 Uganda Police Crime Report shows a country experiencing a general decline in crime, but still facing deep-rooted challenges in GBV, child protection, and related health impacts. While enforcement and reporting systems are improving, the persistence of sexual violence, domestic abuse, and child exploitation highlights the need for stronger prevention, community awareness, and integrated health-justice responses.

Protecting women and children in Uganda therefore remains not only a policing priority but also a critical public health and human rights obligation requiring sustained national attention.