The government has raised concern over rising cases of gender-based violence in Teso North subcounty, blaming the trend on the breakdown of dialogue within families and the reluctance of victims and witnesses to report abuse.
Amagoro assistant county commissioner Patrick Powon said many domestic disputes escalate into violence because couples resort to confrontation instead of resolving conflicts through dialogue.
"These cases are on the rise because couples resort to confrontation instead of dialogue. We are urging couples to embrace peaceful dialogue and report these cases before they escalate into physical confrontation," he said.
Powon also commended the Nyumba Kumi initiative for strengthening community security and urged residents to use the same structure to help tackle gender-based violence by reporting cases early.
He spoke during a public baraza at Kekalet Shopping Centre in Ang'urai Division. Ang'urai assistant county commissioner Eunice Ochieng also attended the forum.
Powon praised the Western Twaweza Empowerment Campaign (Wetec) for complementing government efforts through programmes aimed at preventing gender-based violence and protecting children.
He said the partnership between Wetec and the local administration had strengthened community awareness of the rights of women and children.
Retired senior chief Geoffrey Olung'ur cautioned residents against resolving serious offences involving children through informal settlements, insisting such cases should be handled by the courts.
Wetec programme officer Angela Yvonne urged families to ensure survivors of defilement receive immediate medical attention before reporting the matter to the police.
She said the organisation provides psychosocial support and follows up cases to ensure survivors receive justice.
Yvonne encouraged members of the public to report child rights violations through the toll-free number 611 and gender-based violence cases through the toll-free number 1195 to enable prompt intervention.
She said Wetec's programmes include GBV awareness, economic empowerment, student mentorship, tree planting, beekeeping, and supporting adolescent mothers to return to school.
Speaking at the forum, veteran journalist Kennedy Epalat urged local administrators to harness technology in the fight against insecurity, saying digital platforms such as WhatsApp could enable real-time reporting of suspicious activities.
He said the platforms should include boda boda riders, who are well placed to identify suspicious individuals and monitor the movement of illicit goods across the porous Kenya-Uganda border.
Epalat also warned farmers against selling green or prematurely harvested maize, saying the practice exposes households to food shortages and entrenches poverty.
