Know Before You Go

UGANDA A Guide to Keep You Safe Abroad provided by: Pathways to Safety International

Updated November 2019 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: UGANDA 2

Let’s be perfectly clear, the number one way to prevent sexual assault is to not rape. While the responsibility of ending sexual gender based violence is on the perpetrators, this guide will offer general safety tips, country-specific information, and resources to help prevent and prepare travelers for the possibility of sexual assault abroad.

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS: 1. Use the buddy system and travel with friends. 7 out of 10 2. Be aware of social and cultural norms. For example, looking at someone in rapes are the eyes when you speak to them is perfectly normal in the U.S., but in committed another country that could signify you’re interested in the person. by someone known to the 3. Recognize controlling behavior when entering a relationship. Most rape victim1 survivors recall feeling “uncomfortable” about some of their partner’s behaviors such as degrading jokes/language or refusal to accept “no” as an answer, whether in a sexual context or otherwise.2 4. Avoid secluded places where you could be more vulnerable. Meet new people in public spaces and let a trusted friend know where you’ll be beforehand. Always have a backup plan in mind. 5. Trust your gut. Many victims have a “bad feeling” right before an assault takes place. It’s okay to leave a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable. Stay alert and aware in new social settings and places. ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS: • Always watch your drink being poured and carry it yourself, even to the bathroom. • “Drug-facilitated sexual assault drugs,” also referred to as club drugs or roofies may turn your drink slightly salty, bright blue, or cloudy. Effects such as distorted judgment, loss sense of time, sight, sound, identity, and overall consciousness can be felt within 15 minutes and may last up to 4 hours.3 • Uganda’s legal drinking age is 18. However you may drink beer, wine, porter, perry, cider, or native liquor at age 16 with a meal in a restaurant. 4 Penalties for possession or use of illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or heavy fines.5 CULTURAL INFORMATION: Major Religions: 45.1% Protestant, 39.3% Roman Catholic, 13.7% Muslim, 1.6% other, and 0.2% none. 6 Legal System: As a former British colony, Uganda uses a legal system based on English Common Law and African Customary Law.7 The Ugandan Constitution also allows for the enforcement of Sharia Law in matters of marriage, divorce, and inheritance involving Muslims.8 Social/Cultural Norms: Public displays of affection are uncommon in Uganda. Members of the same sex may hold hands as a sign of friendship. Thighs are traditionally viewed as sensual female body parts similar to how breasts are viewed in American culture so women are advised to wear knee-length or longer skirts or pants. Shorts are uncommon for both men and women.9 Gender Equality: In the 2018 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, Uganda ranked 43rd out of 149 countries in terms of gender equality. Compared to the United States which ranks 51st.10 Ugandan women face challenges including discrimination, lower social status, and a greater risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.11 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: UGANDA 3

SEXUAL ASSAULT AND THE LAW: Ugandan Context Under Uganda’s Penal Code Act, rape is defined as unlawful carnal knowledge (sexual intercourse) of a woman or girl without her consent. This definition does not include the possibility of male victims of rape, marital rape, or acquain- tance rape.12 According to the 2015 Human Rights Report, discrimination against women is widespread, especially in rural areas of Uganda. Although the law prohibits discrimination based on sex, as well as religion, citizenship, and HIV/ communicable disease status to name just a few, the government has failed to adequately enforce laws pertaining to discrimination against women.13

LGBTQ CONCERNS If You Experience Sexual Assault… Don’t blame yourself! Sexual assault is never the fault of the Discrimination based on sexual orientation victim. You may be unsure of how to proceed, and that’s okay. First, is not addressed in Ugandan Law.15 In 2009, consider taking the following actions: Uganda passed the Anti-homosexuality Act that outlaws acts of homosexuality with 1. If you are in a safe place, call someone you trust to be with you. If penalties as extreme as imprisonment for life you are not safe, call someone you trust to come and get you. and the death penalty. While the Anti-Ho- 2. Do self-collection of evidence. Put all of the clothes you were wear- mosexuality Act was repealed in 2014 due to ing, bed sheets, and so on in a paper bag. If you have any injuries, technicality issues, there remains a high level take pictures. If there is semen present, collect what you can and of anti-gay sentiment in the country. It is put it in the paper bag. not safe for LGBTQ or male victims to report 3. Call a Pathways to Safety International Advocate internationally toll their assault or to disclose their sexuality in free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help you through the Uganda as arrest of members of the LGBTQ ordeal, honoring your decisions. (See Resources for contact info.) community do occur.16

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC), MEDICAL CARE AND REPORTING POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP), SEXUAL ASSAULT IN UGANDA AND ABORTION INFORMATION If you decide to report your sexual assault in Uganda, you will Q: Are emergency contraception and be asked to undergo a forensic sexual assault examination by post-exposure prophylaxis available? a Ugandan police doctor. This exam generally includes a pelvic A: Yes, both PEP and EC are generally available exam, vaginal/penile/anal swabs, head and pubic hair samples, in Uganda. Both can be obtained with a pre- fingernail scrapings, blood samples, and saliva samples. A con- scription in public sector clinics, pharmacies sular officer from the U.S. Embassy may be able to accompany and IPPF (International Planned Parenthood you during the exam. Additionally, the exam will cost about Federation) affiliated systems.17 PEP is espe- 50,000 Ugandan shillings or $25 U.S. dollars. There may also be cially important in Uganda due to the high an additional fee of 60,000 Ugandan shillings or $30 U.S. dollars prevalence of HIV/AIDS. to obtain a copy of the police report. Note that it is not safe for male or LGBTQ victims to report their assault (See LGBTQ victim Q: Is abortion legal in Uganda? concerns) and the law does not specifically address instances of A: While government policies stipulate that acquaintance rape.14 abortion is legal in cases of rape, proce- dures are not widely available as the laws protecting legal abortion are unclear and many doctors believe abortion are actually illegal.18 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: UGANDA 4

RESOURCES PATHWAYS TO SAFETY INTERNATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES Kibeedi & Co Advocates Crisis Line: As there is currently no AT&T access code for City Apartments Building Bombo Road, 2nd floor, Uganda, dial 000-1 to set up a collect call and then enter Suite # 12, P.O. Box 5780, Kampala, Uganda Tel: 0414-231-197 / 0752-693-041 our phone number: 833-SAFE-833 (833-723-3833) Email: [email protected] Crisis Email: Connect with a Pathways Advocate via email Law Associates Advocates at [email protected]. All crisis emails will GEOFFREY B. MUTAAWE be responded to within 24 hours. *For immediate help, Plot 35, Kampala Rd., P.O. Building Annex, Suite 335A please call our crisis line. Tel: 0414-231-844 / 0702-, 0776-, 0752-, 773-097 Email: [email protected] Live Chat: Pathways online chat service is available 24/7 on our website at pathwaystosafety.org. NON-GOVERNMENTAL Hope After Rape Provide counseling and legal services U.S. EMBASSY Tel: +256-392-945397 or +256-772-673781 American Citizen Services emergency phone lines Email: [email protected] are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Website: http://www.hopeafterrape.org/

For Callers Outside Uganda: 256 414 306 001 or Addresses: 256-312-306-001 Serere Upper Shops For Callers Within Uganda: 0414 306 001 or P.O.Box 787, Soroti 0312-306-001 or 0414-259-791 Budadiri Town Council P.O.Box 218, Mbale U.S. Embassy Kampala 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala, Uganda Badiru Lane, Plot 126, Nansana Town Council Non-emergency line: 256-414-259791 P.O.Box 7621,Kampala Email: [email protected] GBV Prevention Network Plot 16 Tufnell Drive, Kamwokya P.O. Box 6770, Kampala, Uganda HOSPITALS Tel: +256 414 532 183 / +256 414 531 186 Bethany Women’s Hospital Uganda Email: [email protected] Plot 16 Chorey Cresent Road Luzira General Line: 0200903746 Emergencies: 0750399742 POLICE Emergencies: 9-9-9 or 1-1-2. Women’s Hospital International & Fertility Centre Ntinda Road, Bukoto , P.O. Box 16233, Kampala Tel 1: + (256) 414-541-361 / Tel 2: + (256) 772-520-248 Website: http://www.womens-hospital.net/

The information in this guide has been gathered from public sources, is for informational purposes only, and is not vetted, endorsed or guaranteed by Pathways to Safety International. Pathways to Safety International is not rendering legal advice by making this guide available, is not a law enforcement agency, and does not engage in law enforcement activity. If you have any legal questions or concerns, you should consult a qualified legal or other professional that can consider the particulars of your specific case. Pathways to Safety International reserves the right to change or make corrections to this guide at any time, and will not be liable for any errors, inaccuracy or omissions contained herein. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: UGANDA 5

REFERENCES

1 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-2014 (2015). 2 West Virginia University. “Tips for Prevention.” WELLWU. April 6, 2017. Accessed: November 21, 2017. https://well.wvu.edu/resources/sexual-assault/tips-for-prevention. 3 U.S. Department of Women’s Health. ‘“Date rape drugs.” April 28, 2017. Accessed: November 21, 2017. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/date-rape-drugs 4 International Alliance for Responsible Drinking. Minimum Legal Age Limits. Accessed on 19th September, 2018. http://www.iard.org/policy-tables/minimum-le- gal-age-limits/ 5 Culture Crossing Guide. Uganda: Law and Order,Personal Space, Dress. Accessed December 22, 2016. http://guide.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details. php?Id=15&CID=212 6 “The World Factbook: UGANDA.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 19 Sept. 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ ug.html. 7 “UPDATE: Uganda’s Legal System and Legal Sector.” Hauser Global Law School Program, GlobaLex, Oct. 2016, www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Uganda1.html. 8 Bwanika, Yusufu. “Parts of Western Uganda Apply Sharia Law.” The Campus Journal. February 11, 2013. Accessed July 25, 2016. http://campusjournal.ug/index.php/ politics/e-africa/575-parts-of-western-uganda-apply-sharia-law. 9 Culture Crossing Guide. Uganda: Law and Order,Personal Space, Dress. Accessed December 22, 2016. http://guide.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details. php?Id=15&CID=212 10 “Data Explorer.” Global Gender Gap Report 2018, World Economic Forum, http://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2018/data-explorer/?doing_wp_cron=15 74034408.2378749847412109375000#economy=UGA 11 Foundation for Sustainable Development. “Gender Equity Issues in Uganda.” Accessed July 25, 2016. http://fsdinternational.org/country/uganda/weissues. 12 World Intellectual Property Organization. “The Penal Code Act.” Accessed July 25, 2016. http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/ug/ug008en.pdf. 13 U.S. State Department. Uganda 2015 Human Rights Report. Accessed on July 26, 2016. https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/252953.pdf 14 U.S. Embassy in Uganda. “Help for American Victims of Crime in Uganda.” Accessed July 25, 2016. https://ug.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/victims-of-crime/ assistance-for-crime-victims/. 15 U.S. Embassy in Uganda. “Help for American Victims of Crime in Uganda.” Accessed July 25, 2016. https://ug.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/victims-of-crime/ assistance-for-crime-victims/. 16 Mwaluko, Nick Hadikwa. “The Anti-Gay Movement in Uganda Is Still Alive and Kicking.” VICE. January 25, 2016. Accessed July 25, 2016. http://www.vice.com/read/the- anti-gay-movement-in-uganda-is-still-alive-and-kicking. 17 Nalwadda, Gorrette, Florence Mirembe, Josaphat Byamugisha, and Elisabeth Faxelid. “Persistent High Fertility in Uganda: Young People Recount Obstacles and En- abling Factors to Use of Contraceptives.” BMC Public Health, 530th ser., 10 (September 03, 2010). Accessed July 25, 2016. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-530. 18 Guttmacher Institute. “Abortion in Uganda.” January 2013. Accessed July 25, 2016. https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/abortion-uganda.