In West Nile, WHRDs were facing rising threats, from cyberbullying and arrests to violence in their own homes. Many defenders were scared to speak out, especially online. But that changed after WHRDN-U held a powerful meeting in Arua City.
WHRDs came together with civil society leaders and the Uganda Human Rights Commission. They presented hard-hitting data showing that:
- 57% of attacks came from the community.
- 41% came from family and local leaders.
- 26% were by police and security forces.
One woman shared: “I was arrested for leading a peaceful protest. I stayed three nights in jail without knowing my charges.”The room was quiet. Then the mood shifted,to action. Civil society leaders promised to:
- Speak up more about WHRDs in local spaces.
- Work closely with religious and cultural leaders to shift harmful beliefs.
- Invest in cyber security training to help defenders protect themselves online.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission said they would offer technical help and encouraged WHRDs to use their library and services. From fear to power—this is the journey WHRDN-U is walking with defenders.
