The increasing cases of domestic violence during the lockdown announced by President Yoweri Museveni to curb the spread of the COVID-19 has been blamed on “wives stressing” their husbands.
According to Pamela Nasiyo Kamugo (pictured), the Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Women’s Association (UWOPA), although the measures put in place by Government calling on Ugandans to stay at home are meant to keep Ugandans safe, some women have used the avenue to stress their men, leaving husbands with no choice but descend and beat up their nagging wives.
“They (husbands) are also human beings. If they’re staying at home, let us give them the peace they want. Otherwise if you stress them, you know what’s likely to happen to you. There is an increase of domestic violence simply because of small nagging that women are doing to their husbands. It isn’t an easy situation to all of us, most especially the men who get stressed so fast,” Kamugo, who doubles as Budaka Woman MP, said.
The lawmaker made the remarks today in an interview with journalists at Parliament.
Her remarks come at the time human rights activists castigated President Yoweri Museveni for saying that reporting cases of domestic violence isn’t a top priority during lockdown.
Earlier this week, Lillian Adriko, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA) decried the rising cases of domestic violence.
“We have registered a sharp increase in domestic violence; we had 29 people calling in directly last week to report domestic violence cases,” Lillian said.
She made the remarks on Monday during a webinar panel hosted by Bernard Oundo to discuss a topic; COVID-19 AND THE RULE OF LAW: TESTING THE CONSTITUTION IN THE FACE OF A PANDEMIC.
Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga also recently revealed that Police had noticed an increase in domestic violence cases following the coming into force the Lockdown.
However, the surge in domestic violence cases isn’t unique to Uganda alone during the Lockdown, but a global phenomenon, that prompted United Nations, Secretary General, Antonio Guterres to issue a statement, appealing to Governments make the redress of violence against women a key part of their response plan.
Guterress acknowledged that COVID-19 had caused untold suffering and economic devastation around the world with UN calling for ceasefire among earring Countries, but violence isn’t confined to the battlefield.
“For many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest- in their own homes. We know lockdown and quarantines are essential to suppress COVID19, but they can trap women with abusive partners,” said UN boss.
He added, “Over the past week, as economic, social pressure and fear has grown, we have seen horrifying global surge in domestic violence. I urge all Governments to make the prevention and redress of violence against women a key part of their national response plan.”
