Sexual Violence and Development Implications in Uganda Universities: The Case of Kyambogo University

Abstract

Sexual violence (SV) remains a menace in society, a stonewall hindering the
coexistence and holistic growth of all genders. It is a challenge in higher education
despite the fact that relevant legal and policy frameworks intended to curtail its
prevalence exist. The unwinding subsistence of SV forms the basis of this study,
which specifically aims to establish its nature, causes, development implications,
and the way forward for the Kyambogo University (KyU). This study was
qualitative in nature, and adopted a case research design in which SV phenomenon
as a lived experience was studied, described and interpreted from the victim’s point
of view. Qualitative data derived from an interview guide was processed with the
help of content analysis tools, while observing standard ethical considerations.
Results indicate that sexual violence takes the form of sexual harassment, sexual
exploitation, intimate partner sexual assault, unwanted sexual contacts, rape,
showing ones genitals, masturbation and peeping at people in private sexual acts.
The causes are male chauvinism, poverty, difficulty to secure evidence, corruption
and stigmatization; all of which have resulted into far-reaching negative effects on
the health, education achievement, research and innovations, returns on higher
education and self-esteem of the victims, and the institution as a whole.
Conclusively, therefore, SV is a reality in KyU, perpetuated largely by the male
gender. Since it is socially constructed, it can be deconstructed. Thus, the study
recommends awareness creation, enacting more stringent gender and anti-SV
policies, gender responsive budgeting, plus monitoring and evaluation of every step
in the SV direction so as to end this vice