Helping victims of violence in Uganda

ABSTRACT

We report on a project to assist victims of war and violence in Uganda. The original aim of this project; set up by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture; was to establish a centre for the assessment and treatment of torture victims who had suffered during previous regimes in that country. We found; however; that a specialist centre was not the most appropriate response in a country like Uganda. We argue for the need to respect local initiatives and systems of support and against the notion that there is a single model of care which is universally relevant. Following much investigation and involvement with local personnel; we have developed a programme of training and discussion for health workers; and a service to reach the many women who have suffered rape; and whose suffering has continued; largely ignored