news 12 August 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Ugandan Male Journalists Report Higher Rape Rates Than Females, Study Finds
A recent media report revealed a surprising statistic: male journalists in Uganda reported being raped at more than double the rate of their female colleagues. The findings have sparked debate about the nature of sexual violence within the industry. Source: https://observer.ug/news/who-is-raping-ugandas-men
A recent survey on sexual harassment in the media has brought a disturbing trend to light in Uganda, showing that male journalists are reporting higher rates of rape than their female counterparts. The 2025 report, conducted by WAN-IFRA Women in News in collaboration with City St George’s University of London and BBC Media Action, found that 9% of male respondents in Uganda had experienced rape, compared to 4% of female respondents.
Even more concerning, 3% of the male journalists surveyed reported being raped more than five times, a statistic with no female equivalent in the study. These findings were presented at the Uganda Editors Guild Convention, leaving many attendees in shock.
While Uganda’s statistics are troubling, similar patterns were observed in other African nations. Tanzania reported 14% of male journalists experiencing rape, Rwanda saw 6% of males affected compared to 11% of females, and Somalia reported a staggering 35% of male journalists being raped. This widespread issue has prompted questions about the perpetrators and the dynamics of sexual violence within these professional environments.
The report indicates that a significant portion of perpetrators are colleagues, often in superior positions, or even news sources. A major barrier to addressing this issue is the low reporting rate. None of the female victims and less than half of the male victims reported their experiences to authorities, citing fear of retaliation, job loss, and disbelief as primary reasons.
Despite the grim statistics on rape, the overall incidence of sexual harassment in Ugandan media has seen a decline. However, women continue to be disproportionately affected by various forms of harassment, including verbal, physical, and online abuse.
WAN-IFRA Women in News is urging news organizations to implement robust sexual harassment policies with clear reporting mechanisms to ensure a safer workplace for all journalists. The convention also addressed other critical issues facing the media industry in Uganda, such as artificial intelligence, financial sustainability, and regulatory impacts.