A needs assessment by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Kenya showed significant gaps in the detection and management of sexual and gender-based violence cases in camps for displaced people in Baringo county.

Following an escalation of conflict in her community early this year, Mary* was forced to flee her home in search of safety. Unlike many of her neighbors who headed to camps for internally displaced people miles away, Mary sought refuge at a distant relative’s home that was close to her teenage daughter’s school, in hopes that her daughter would be able to continue her education. 

Vulnerability away from home

Mary and her daughter set up a temporary shelter inside the relative’s compound, and although things started out well, Mary’s daughter soon told her about propositions she was getting from the relative’s eldest son, who was over 18 years old. 

Mary asked her daughter not to cause trouble with a family that had hosted them, but unfortunately the situation escalated with the relative’s son, and his advances became more aggressive. One night he tried to force himself on Mary’s daughter.

“Were it not for her loud screams, he would have been successful,” said Mary. “I said, ‘enough is enough!’”

That night, Mary and her daughter packed their bags and left for a camp. This story, unfortunately, is not uncommon among internally displaced people in Baringo county.

MSF launches emergency intervention

“On April 29, MSF initiated an emergency intervention focused on supporting displaced people on mental health and specifically sexual violence,” said Jonah Ngugi, nursing activity manager. MSF appointed a clinician with experience addressing sexual violence to be part of outreach activities and medical services supporting the detection of sexual violence cases in the community. 

“We had two entry points for sexual violence case detection and management,” explained Ngugi. “One was during therapy sessions with our psychologists, and another was during medical consultations through a clinician with experience in sexual violence case detection.”

Nancy Mutai, an MSF psychologist, says sexual violence is likely underreported. “We received cases of attempted rape and gender-based violence and we have been able to manage them and link [patients] to care, but this is not the true picture,” she said. 

Where sexual violence occurs

Further analysis by MSF teams on the ground shows that most sexual violence cases occur in integrated settings rather than the camps. “In the camps, there is a clear separation between where men and women sleep,” said Mutai. “Mothers are more aware of their children’s whereabouts. In the integrated settings, however, the situation is much more complicated; girls tend to walk long distances in search of water and firewood, and this puts them at risk. The internally displaced people are also at the mercy of their hosts and can easily be taken advantage of.”

A lack of awareness about sexual violence and stigma have hindered early detection and management of cases in these communities. In response, MSF partnered with the Ministry of Health to conduct  capacity building for 187 community health promoters and 60 health care workers on sexual and gender-based violence response as well as mental health and psychosocial support in June.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi says the recent State of the Nation Address (SoNA) presented an overly optimistic view on the while neglecting Uganda’s pressing issues.

Presenting the Opposition response to the SoNA on Thursday, 01 August 2024, Ssenyonyi said the address delivered on 06 June 2024, fell short of expectations emphasising the disconnect between the government’s portrayal of progress and the daily struggles of ordinary citizens.

“The address deviated from its intended purpose, increasingly resembling a ceremonial ritual rather than a substantive and honest appraisal of our national condition,” Ssenyonyi said.

He highlighted persistent economic struggles including rising unemployment and high cost of living. Ssenyonyi pointed out the government’s failure to effectively utilise borrowed funds noting that many loans remain unutilised or mismanaged.

“The level of public debt has also worsened. As of June 2024, it has skyrocketed to Shs97 trillion yet the government continues to borrow more,” he added.

“This wanton borrowing spree, without corresponding value for money, undermines the country’s fiscal health and burdens future generations with debt repayment obligations” he noted. Ssenyonyi also criticised the government’s unfulfilled promises stating, ’the government promised to build a specialised hospital at Lubowa and so far, over Shs600 billion has been sunk into this project but there is nothing to show for all that money,” he said.

AUDIO Ssenyonyi

He emphasised the heavy burden of over-taxation describing it as a sad reality that cannot be overstated.

 “This has stifled the aspirations of small business owners and working families across our land. During the passing of the 2024/25 tax bills, we reminded the government to develop a comprehensive taxation policy for the country, ensuring that the imposition of any tax is informed by a well-structured tax framework that does not promote injustice,” he said.

Ssenyonyi called for the revision of the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy. “We must urgently reassess and reform our revenue collection strategies to ensure they are equitable and do not further exacerbate the economic plight of our people,” he stated.

Ssenyonyi also tasked the government on corruption stating that there has been mostly talk with little action.

 “The Head of State’s call for caution on lifestyle audits is a slap in the face of every Ugandan yearning for a brighter future. We hear slogans of ‘crushing’ corruption, but they are not followed by serious action. Mere words will not save the money meant to build hospitals, educate our children or provide the much-needed service delivery. We need results, not rhetoric,” he concluded.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Legislators have commended President Yoweri Museveni for his stand on patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy in a bid to ensure national development.

According to Hon. Emely Kugonza (NRM, Buyanja East County), the President’s consistent proposition of prosperity, strategic security and brotherhood of the African people has stimulated the four sectors of Uganda’s economy including commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and information communication and technology.

“The President informed the country that since 1986, the Ugandan economy has recovered through high production of home grown and processed agro-products whose total output has surpassed international demand. The total annual surplus is being traded within the African market and beyond,” Kugonza said.

While moving the motion on Thursday, 01 August 2024, Kugonza said that government initiatives like the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, Women Fund, Youth Fund and Operation Wealth Creation among others have enabled low income individuals to attain socio-economic transformation.

“The more empowered individuals should borrow from the Uganda Development Bank for agriculture, manufacturing and some of the other services such as tourism,” he added.

Kugonza alluded to the President’s stand against corruption noting that legal and institutional frameworks have been put in place to fight the vice including the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), the Anti-Corruption Unit in State House and the Whistle blower Policy among others.

“These institutions need the support of all of us and Parliament should take the lead in the fight against corruption because we are the representatives of the people,” he added.

Omoro District Woman Representative, Hon. Catherine Lamwaka  seconded the motion saying the President has made continued calls for East African member states to remove trade barriers, so as to exploit the full potential of the region’s markets.

“The President informed the nation that the correct philosophy, ideology and strategy of the NRM government have enabled the economy to grow at a good rate from US$1.5 billion in 1986 to US$55 billion by the foreign exchange method,” Lamwaka said.

She also commended the President’s commitment to the advancement of other sectors of the country including education, finance and security.

Workers Representative, Hon. Agnes Kunihira said the President’s State of the Nation Address highlighted issues relating to high interest rates charged by commercial banks and individual lenders, which he said ought to be addressed.

“The President’s directives should be implemented by the Minister for Finance. This will facilitate individuals in accessing working capital, more especially those who cannot get it through interventions like Uganda Development Bank and the Agricultural Credit Facility,” Kunihira said.

She also made an appeal to government to improve the pay as you earn (PAYE) threshold for the benefit of workers across the country and called on the President to address the matter in his next State of the Nation Address.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Republic of Seychelles, alongside Vice-President Ahmed Afif and Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs Rose-Marie Hoareau, chaired a pivotal meeting with District Administrators at State House this morning.

In his opening remarks, President Ramkalawan extended heartfelt appreciation to the District Administrators for their unwavering dedication and hard work within their communities. “Today on behalf of the people of Seychelles, I would like to say thank you to you all for the work that you do. At times in your respective districts, you go beyond your call of duty, you go the extra mile to continue serving the people and ensure our citizens obtain the assistance or support they need. We appreciate and recognize your hard work. I know there are challenges and today we sit together to collectively discuss and propose solutions for the way forward. Once again thank you so all your efforts, I wish you all courage as we continue to find ways to deliver a high standard of service to our citizens” he said.

The meeting served as a crucial platform for open dialogue, aiming to identify and implement practical solutions for the collective benefit of the districts.

District Administrators brought forward a range of issues, including road safety measures, infrastructure development, alternative distribution points for the methadone program and improved road access. They also discussed the need for better coordination and communication with other ministries, departments and agencies. Additionally, the community leaders proposed innovative ideas and actions to enhance services and improve the lives of citizens in their respective districts.

The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary for Local Government Kevin Perine, members of the Executive Management of the Ministry and District Administrators from Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.