Government loses sh36b annually in response to domestic violence, research has revealed.

In 2011, there were over five million incidents of violence against women, according to Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP) and Makerere University Economic Policy Research Centre study.

Women are four times more likely to suffer emotional and physical turmoil than men as a result of violence meted against them. The study revealed that eastern region was the most affected area.

However, there are far reaching economic effects, not only on the survivors, but the entire nation which are ignored. This costed the country sh53.7b which is 0.25% of Uganda's GDP. Providers like the judiciary, health facilities and police spent sh36b, about 0.5% of the national budget. Besides the physical and emotional effects, citizens lose about sh3b per year.

The research puts the annual costs for individual health care at sh18.4b while costs of service providers like police, LCs, and shelters for dealing with domestic violence cases is sh36b.