Food price shocks: A leading cause of domestic violence in northern Uganda

By Joseph Okul

A recent study conducted by the Women and Rural Development Networks (WORUDET), a non-governmental organization based in northern Uganda, revealed the devastating effects of food price shocks on local communities.

The study, which focused on the effects of rising food prices, discovered a concerning link between food insecurity and domestic violence. The findings were announced at an engagement conference with local government officials on March 11, 2025, at the Pauline Hotel in Lira.

According to Jimmy Opio, a statistician who participated in the study, the causes of food price shocks in northern Uganda are complex. They include prolonged dry spells, limited production capacity, increased food demand, and population pressure as a result of political instability.

The study also found that many locals struggled to increase food production due to a combination of environmental challenges and market volatility.

The consequences of rising food prices have been severe for many families in the region. Domestic violence has increased dramatically, with 56% of households reporting an increase in violence as a result of the economic downturn.

Furthermore, food insecurity has resulted in changes in eating habits, with many families now relying on a single meal per day, which is often made entirely of vegetables. Health issues such as malnutrition have also become widespread, with 34% of individuals visiting health centers due to nutrition-related conditions.

Women, in particular, have been disproportionately affected, with many turning to casual labor on private farms or even engaging in commercial sex work to make ends meet. This situation has led to a 46% increase in the number of women entering the sex trade.

Additionally, theft of livestock and the sale of household assets have become common coping mechanisms.

The education sector has also suffered due to the economic pressure. The study found that 37% of children dropped out of school as a direct result of rising food prices. Among those who remained in school, 21% entered into early marriages, and 40% of parents were forced to transfer their children to cheaper schools.

These figures, the same study reveals, highlight the negative impact of food insecurity on children’s education and future prospects.

The study found that households with a higher dependency ratio, particularly those with disabled children, casual laborers, and those without access to financial support through loans or remittances, were the hardest hit. The lack of financial safety nets in these communities exacerbated the effects of food price shocks, leaving many families without any recourse.

Interestingly, the study also noted that cash transfers and remittances played a significant role in cushioning families from the worst effects of food price increases. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the population in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions had access to such financial assistance, just 8% and 6%, respectively.

To address the ongoing crisis, the study’s authors proposed several policy recommendations. These include expanding programs to target vulnerable households in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions, increasing social protection programs like NUSAF, PDM and SAGE, and subsidizing agriculture to support local food production.

Additionally, they called for an increase in cash-for-work programs, particularly for women-headed households.

Local government officials at the conference expressed their concerns about the root causes of domestic violence and the challenges posed by the food price crisis.

Paul Muboki, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Apac District, pointed out that many men in the Lango sub-region had abandoned their traditional roles as primary providers for their families.

Instead, they had turned to alcohol and dependency on transfer payments, which he believed contributed to a rise in domestic violence.

Muboki emphasized the need for programs that would help empower men to take on their cultural roles in the family, which could help reduce the conflict and violence stemming from economic stress. He also noted that many government initiatives had focused more on empowering women, leaving men without the support they needed.

John Mark Agong, the District Planner for Oyam, also critiqued government programs, arguing that certain initiatives were poorly targeted. He noted that the SAGE program, which provides financial assistance to the elderly, was limited in its reach since the average life expectancy in Uganda is 65 years, meaning many individuals who could benefit were not eligible.

Agong urged WORUDET to examine the effectiveness of programs like the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund, the Parish Development Model, and Emyooha, and to propose improvements to ensure a broader impact.

Chairperon LC5 of Lira District, RCM Okello Orik, recognized the vital role that women play in supporting their families and building the economy.

However, Orik also pointed to the failure of programs like the school feeding initiative in Lira, which he attributed to the irresponsible spending habits of some men, who would sell food to fund their alcohol consumption.

Okello emphasized the high levels of food production in the region but highlighted the poor management of resources at the household level, which led to waste and food insecurity.

While the findings of the WORUDET study reveal a bleak picture of the challenges faced by communities in northern Uganda, they also provide a roadmap for potential solutions.

By addressing the root causes of food price shocks, empowering both men and women, and strengthening social protection programs, Uganda can begin to mitigate the impacts of food insecurity on domestic violence, education, and overall community well-being.

The call to action is clear: stronger collaboration among the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities is required to break the cycle of poverty and violence that has plagued northern Uganda for too long.