Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization
In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), over three-quarters of the population are women under 40 years of age, most of whom are affected by poverty, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and poor mental health.
The exploitative, coercive, and often violent experiences endured by survivors before, during, and after trafficking expose them to mental health problems and re-trafficking. In 2022, the government of Uganda reported identifying 2,099 victims of Trafficking.
However, the actual trafficking prevalence is higher than what is reported, and most victims are children and young women from vulnerable families. Unfortunately, research on survivors of human trafficking is limited, and this leaves a gap in data that could inform evidence-based interventions that are tailored to survivors of trafficking and those at risk for human trafficking in Uganda.
To quantitatively examine the association between ACEs, human trafficking vulnerability, and long-term mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, PTSD).
To determine the factors that moderate the effects of ACEs on human trafficking vulnerability and the long-term mental health outcomes of women survivors of trafficking.
To qualitatively explore sources of resilience and gaps in existing policies and services for women affected by human trafficking in Uganda
Adverse childhood experiences, re-trafficking vulnerability, and mental health outcomes among women survivors of human trafficking in Kampala, Uganda: A cross-sectional analysis
Violet Nkwanzi, Robert M. Bulamba ,David Okech, Catherine Carlson, Emmanuel Kyasanku, Sylvia Namakula, Deneen Evans, Alex Daama, Stephen Mugamba, Dorah Akello, Emmanuel Menya, Jackline B. Nammanda, James Nkale, Rogers Kasirye, Fred Nalugoda, Godfrey Kigozi, Gertrude Nakigozi
PLOS One, 2025 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0334419
Resilience among Survivors of Human Trafficking in Uganda: A Mixed Methods Study
Violet Nkwanzi, Robert M Bulamba, Godfrey Kigozi, Dorah Akello, Sylvia Namakula, Brittany Stahnke, Deneen Evans, Emmanuel Kyasanku, Emmanuel Menya, Alex Daama, Stephen Mugamba, Fred Nlaugoda, David Okech
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2026 · DOI: 10.1177/08862605261426601
Individual and Communal Factors Associated with Re-Trafficking Vulnerability among Women Survivors in Kampala, Central Uganda:
Violet Nkwanzi, Robert M. Bulamba, Godfrey Kigozi, Dorah Akello, Sylvia Namakula, Deneen Evans, Emmanuel Kyasanku, Alex Daama, Stephen Mugamba, Fred Nlaugoda, David Okech, Catherine Carlson
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2025 · DOI: 10.1177/08862605251392277
Examining the Gaps in Existing Policies and Services for Survivors of Human Trafficking in Uganda: A Qualitative Analysis
Violet Nkwanzi, Deneen Evans, Brittany Stahnke, Robert M. Bulamba, Dorah Akello, Emmanuel Kyasanku, Alex Daama, Stephen Mugamba, Emmanuel Menya, Sylvia Namakula, Fred Nalugoda, Godfrey Kigozi & David Okech
Journal of Social Science Research, 2025 · DOI: 10.1080/01488376.2025.2591623
Protocol Title
N/A
Study Site
Kampala Site
Dr. Violet Nkwanzi
Lead Collaborator
Bulamba Robert M
Head of Epidemiological & Behavioral Studies
East Tennessee State University Office of the Vice Provost for Research-Research Funding Program
Contact our research team to learn about eligibility and how to get involved.
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