Uganda considers sexual violence as a serious health, human rights and develo...

Uganda considers sexual violence as a serious health, human rights and development problem. There can be no peace, security or sustainable economic development in societies that deny human rights, including the human rights of women. We are concerned that, despite the existence of regional and international instruments on women's human rights, sexual violence continues to be committed at an alarming rate, both in times of peace and during armed conflicts, thus undermining the right of women to fulfil their potential. Uganda abhors sexual violence and condemns it unreservedly. The use of sexual violence as a tactic of war has been documented in many parts of the world that have experienced armed conflict, including our region. Armed groups, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and the Lord's Resistance Army, have terrorized the population, leaving mayhem, pain and death in their wake.