Opendi renews call for public sex offenders’ registry

Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Opendi has renewed her call for the creation of a publicly accessible National Sex Offenders Register as part of broader efforts to combat sexual violence in Uganda.

Speaking during a recent engagement, Opendi said that establishing the register would serve as a deterrent to potential offenders, both male and female, while promoting public safety, transparency, and accountability.

“We cannot continue to live in a country where sexual predators roam freely, reoffending without consequences or public knowledge,” she said.

“A public sex offenders’ registry would help protect our children, families, and communities.”

Opendi proposed that the register should be widely known and easily accessible to the public. She further suggested that the National Identification Numbers (NINs) of convicted offenders be flagged to alert employers and institutions.

“We’re proposing to have a register of defilers, maybe that will stop men from engaging in defilement. If your name is in the register, it affects your future. You want a job? You’ll be known for being a defiler,” she said.

Survivors speak out

Celestine Mugenyi, 22, a survivor of attempted sexual assault by her father while in senior four, voiced strong support for the idea. She said exposing such individuals helps protect others from harm.

“If people like him were put on a public register, those around them would be more cautious and better prepared to protect themselves and others,” she said.

“It’s not just about punishment, it’s about prevention.” Bill under scrutiny Opendi’s call comes as parliament scrutinizes the Sexual Offences Bill, currently at the committee stage.

The bill, tabled last year, seeks among other reforms, to establish a National Sex Offenders Register. Under Section 31 of the bill, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) would be tasked with maintaining the register.

Information to be included would cover the offender’s name, NIN, date of birth, address, fingerprints, photograph, and the specific offence. Registration would occur upon conviction, regardless of pending appeals and in the event of a successful appeal, courts would be required to notify NIRA within 10 days for appropriate updates to the register.

Currently, Uganda maintains a private sex offender registry limited to individuals convicted of crimes against children and persons with mental disabilities. This registry is not accessible to the public, a gap that many activists say puts communities at continued risk.

In 2020, advocacy group FemmePower Uganda launched a petition urging the government and Uganda Police Force to establish a public registry. The petition argued that open access to information would empower communities, reduce repeat offences, and foster safer environments.

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) made a similar appeal in 2015, proposing a regional database to track and expose child sex offenders across East African member states. Uganda continues to grapple with high levels of sexual violence.

The 2024 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report recorded 14,425 sex-related cases, accounting for 6.6% of all crimes. While this represents a 2.8% drop from 2023, the figures remain concerning.

A 2019 study estimated that around 13% of Ugandan women over one million annually, experience some form of sexual assault. Global context Several countries around the world, including the United States, have already established public sex offender registries to enhance community protection.

In the U.S, the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) allows citizens to search for convicted sex offenders, providing details such as names, photographs, offence history, and last known addresses.