East Africa Faces Reckoning Over Abuse in Sports

Edited by: Fatima Babadin

A landmark report from Aga Khan University has exposed a pervasive crisis of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within the athletic communities of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The study reveals that 62% of athletes surveyed have either experienced or witnessed abuse—alarming figures that peak in Kenya at 69%, followed by Tanzania at 62%, and Uganda at 48%. The perpetrators are often individuals in positions of authority—coaches, officials, and even sponsors—highlighting a deeply entrenched culture of exploitation masked by silence and outdated social norms.

These revelations emerge against the backdrop of harrowing incidents, including the deaths of Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei and Kenyan Olympian Agnes Tirop—both linked to gender-based violence. Their tragic stories have become rallying points for urgent reform, prompting human rights organizations and sporting bodies to call for independent reporting channels, comprehensive athlete support systems, and enforceable accountability frameworks.

As East Africa continues to build on its rich legacy of athletic achievement, it must now confront a critical challenge: ensuring the safety and dignity of its athletes or perpetuating a cycle of silence, abuse, and systemic failure.