Despite government efforts to improve the welfare of women and girls in Uganda, systematic and structural barriers continue to impede their access to justice, the Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Peace Mutuuzo, has revealed.

Speaking to the press at the Uganda Media Centre ahead of this year’s Women’s Day celebrations on 8th March 2026 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Minister Mutuuzo highlighted persistent challenges, including gender-based violence, case backlogs particularly in defilement and aggravated defilement cases and slow, costly, and intimidating judicial processes.

She urged women to reflect on these barriers as they mark the occasion.

This year’s Women’s Day will be celebrated under the theme: “Scaling Up Investment to Accelerate Access to Justice for All Women and Girls in Uganda.”

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is set to be the chief guest.

According to Minister Mutuuzo, the theme reflects the ongoing realities faced by Ugandan women and girls and underscores the urgent need to strengthen their access to justice.

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