Condemn Harassment and Abuse of Power in Uganda's Higher Educational Institutions
The Issue
In a world where education should serve as a beacon of hope, opportunity, and empowerment, my personal experience stands as a painful reminder of the failures that can occur within educational institutions. As a student, I became the target of harassment by someone in a position of authority and trust. He used his control over my academic progress—specifically, withholding my grades and obstructing my graduation—to exert pressure and control over me. This abuse of power ultimately resulted in a coerced marriage to my lecturer, a relationship I did not enter into freely or consensually.
For seven years, I endured a violent marriage, surviving for the sake of my two children. In October 2011, I left, hoping to rebuild my life. In December 2011, when I went to collect my children from my estranged husband's home, I was attacked with concentrated sulfuric acid, leaving me with physical and emotional scars that will last a lifetime. My youngest daughter was also injured. Despite overwhelming evidence, the justice process left me without the justice I had hoped for due to my estranged husband influence and position of power.
My story is not an isolated one. Research shows that at least 80% of female students at Makerere University in Uganda have experienced some form of sexual harassment, while more than 90% of victims never formally report it. National Institutes Updates further reports that only 26% of students and staff have received formal training on the university's sexual harassment policy, and fewer than 12% feel positive about how sexual harassment complaints are handled. These figures show the urgent need to move beyond policies on paper and ensure that students are actually protected.
The time for change is now!
We call upon the Parliament of Uganda, Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to strengthen mechanisms for preventing and responding to harassment in educational institutions.
This must include independent investigations, protection for whistleblowers, stricter penalties for perpetrators of harassment and abuse, and effective support for students who experience harassment and abuse in Makerere University.
Our higher education institutions must be safe spaces where students can learn and grow without fear. No student should have to choose between their education and their safety.
Join me in demanding that Ugandan authorities take immediate and decisive action to uphold the rights and safety of all students. Sign this petition to be a catalyst for change and to protect the next generation of learners from the trauma I endured.
Hanifa Nakiryowa
#justiceforhanifanakiryowa is justice for every woman in Uganda.
19,909
The Issue
In a world where education should serve as a beacon of hope, opportunity, and empowerment, my personal experience stands as a painful reminder of the failures that can occur within educational institutions. As a student, I became the target of harassment by someone in a position of authority and trust. He used his control over my academic progress—specifically, withholding my grades and obstructing my graduation—to exert pressure and control over me. This abuse of power ultimately resulted in a coerced marriage to my lecturer, a relationship I did not enter into freely or consensually.
For seven years, I endured a violent marriage, surviving for the sake of my two children. In October 2011, I left, hoping to rebuild my life. In December 2011, when I went to collect my children from my estranged husband's home, I was attacked with concentrated sulfuric acid, leaving me with physical and emotional scars that will last a lifetime. My youngest daughter was also injured. Despite overwhelming evidence, the justice process left me without the justice I had hoped for due to my estranged husband influence and position of power.
My story is not an isolated one. Research shows that at least 80% of female students at Makerere University in Uganda have experienced some form of sexual harassment, while more than 90% of victims never formally report it. National Institutes Updates further reports that only 26% of students and staff have received formal training on the university's sexual harassment policy, and fewer than 12% feel positive about how sexual harassment complaints are handled. These figures show the urgent need to move beyond policies on paper and ensure that students are actually protected.
The time for change is now!
We call upon the Parliament of Uganda, Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to strengthen mechanisms for preventing and responding to harassment in educational institutions.
This must include independent investigations, protection for whistleblowers, stricter penalties for perpetrators of harassment and abuse, and effective support for students who experience harassment and abuse in Makerere University.
Our higher education institutions must be safe spaces where students can learn and grow without fear. No student should have to choose between their education and their safety.
Join me in demanding that Ugandan authorities take immediate and decisive action to uphold the rights and safety of all students. Sign this petition to be a catalyst for change and to protect the next generation of learners from the trauma I endured.
Hanifa Nakiryowa
#justiceforhanifanakiryowa is justice for every woman in Uganda.
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Petition created on 4 October 2026