By Mandevu J
Domestic Violence and gender based violence (GBV) continues to affect many women in greater Luweero heartbreaking cases of neglect ,rejection and abuse - often triggered by the type or number of children women give birth to . Recent cases reveals that some men are abandoning or mistreating their partners simply because they produced only to one sex children and gave birth to twins -stories that reflect how deep rooted gender bias and economic hardship are fueling GBV in rural communities..
In a village of Kakoola in kataggwe ward -kamira town council , luweero district , where we found Nakandi sheila ,25 years old a mother of three girls faces daily emotional pain -not from poverty or sickness -but rejection by her own husband .because of giving birth to boy only -In the first years ,Nakandi has been married to Okiru James a bodaboda rider .The couple was once admired for their hardworking spirit and unity , But after giving birth to three boys , the tone in their home changed , James started staying away , come home late and eventually stopped providing basic needs for the family " He started saying I am cursed, that i can only produce girls , even he started telling me to leave his home so that he can marry a woman who can produce girls ,"Nakandi recounts tearfully, " He now lives with another woman whom he want to bring here. 'When luweero online radio contacted Mr James , he defends him himself ," I didnt abandon her but i need a girl child , maybe its God"s plan to her to only produce boys but me , i had to try else where"
A village women leader , Mrs Nalujja Christine , says the the problems comes from the family background where poeple grow up and the neglection of boychild where they are not well prepared before starting marriage .
Miss Fatumah Achan an health expert from Doctors clinic in kikyusa continues to emphasize that it is the nan's sperm that determines the baby's gender , not woman's womb .but some cultural beliefs remain strong , and many women like Nakandi bear the emotional and economic weight of such ignorance
Another story with the similar line , Jane's Ordeal: Beaten for giving Birth to Twins
In nearby Sub-county of kikyusa in Luweero district , Namusisi Jane 23years , recalls how her joy of giving birth to twins quickly turned into fear and suffering . Instead of celebration ,her husband accused her of bringing a "Curse" into a home ,"He said twins have extra care with the performing of traditional rituals and have extra mouth to feed where he dont have money to cater for them "'
In some parts of the region , traditional beliefs still view twins as spiritual or mysterious beings, with some elders claiming they are "'not fully human.'' Families are often expected to perform traditional rituals such as ''Okwalula abalongo'''(cleansing and naming twins ) to welcome them and ward off misfortune ,
Jane's husband . Mr magabi Lawrence admits he was influenced by these beliefs '' people in the village kept saying twins are special and dangerous if not properly cleansed. because my pastor cant allow me to perform those traditional rituals on them so I was scared and ashamed ''.
Ssaalongo kyobe Musa , a well known traditional herbalist in kikyusa town says that , twins are highly spiritual and must be respected ,'' Twins are special children ,'' he say they come with blessings and sometimes challenges , our forefathers believed that if you do not perform the cultural ceremony for twins , the family may face sickness or poverty'''
He explains that rituals usually involve dancing, drumming , smearing herbals mixture and giving special names to the twins and their parents , Kyobe adds ,It is not about keeping traditions alive and showing respect to these children. But no women shoild be beaten or blamed for having twins.''
However Miss Fatumah says ,caution that while cultural practices can hold symbolic meaning, they should never be used to justify violence or discrimination
According to the CDO , of kamira Town, Mr Wasswa Richard ,say that such cases show how gender-based violence is rooted in myths and culturals expectations .''We are trying sensitize men and women on issues of Gender Based Violence and domestic violence but lacks resources ,under reporteding due to fear and family pressure, slow justice and and poor follow up of cases
According to the police report of 2024, indicated that Luweero district is one of the leading district with the high cases of domestic violence with that total of 287 reported cases
In response to rising cases of such violence , Luweero online radio has announced an awareness outreach campaign on GBV and domestic violence in greater luweero . to create awareness and build a collective responsibility against GBV and domestic violence ,According to Programs Manager of luweero online radio , Mrs Nakintu suzan Mariam , says that this initiative will engage with lacal leaders, health workers and other stakeholder. '' we shall start our outreach during the 16 days od activism against violence in November and December and i believe this educative and sensitive campaign will help to reduce violence in our localities''' .
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