Sudanese Survivors Rebuild Lives in Uganda

Young Sudanese women, forced into marriage with paramilitary soldiers during the ongoing conflict, are rebuilding their lives in Uganda. A shelter in Kampala provides a safe haven for survivors who fled the violence that has engulfed Sudan since 2023.

One survivor, known as Aya, was forced to marry a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) soldier at gunpoint in Khartoum in 2024, when her family was held at gunpoint. Now 19, she describes the experience not as a wedding, but as a moment of fear and lasting stigma.

The refuge offers these women an opportunity to recover from the horrors of war and reclaim their futures away from the conflict zone.

For Aya, there was no celebration, no white dress, and no joy. At just 19 years old, her future was decided by force in the capital city of Sudan. In 2024, amidst the chaos of the civil war, she was compelled to marry a soldier belonging to the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The coercion was absolute. As Aya recounts, the ceremony was not a union of families but a violent seizure. Her own family was held at punta de pistola—at gunpoint—ensuring her compliance. The event left a scar deeper than physical injury.

"No hubo boda," she stated bluntly. "Solo miedo y un estigma que durará para siempre." There was no wedding, only fear and a stigma that will last forever. This sentiment echoes the reality for many women caught in the crossfire of the war that began in 2023.

Escaping the grip of the RSF required immense courage. The journey from Jartum to the border was fraught with danger, but the promise of safety in Uganda drove survivors forward. The conflict in their home country has created a massive displacement crisis, pushing thousands southward.

Upon crossing the border, the path to healing begins. A specialized refuge in Kampala has become a critical sanctuary. It is here that women like Aya are given the space to process their trauma away from the immediate threats of the paramilitaries and the ongoing fighting.

The shelter provides more than just physical protection; it offers a psychological lifeline. For these women, Uganda represents a chance to shed the stigma imposed upon them and start the difficult work of reconstruction.

Recovery is a slow process, but the foundation is being laid in the safety of the Ugandan shelter. The focus is on reconstructing not just their daily routines, but their sense of self-worth and agency. The horrors they witnessed and endured in Sudan are slowly being replaced by hope.

The refuge serves as a hub for these survivors to connect with others who share similar experiences. This community support is vital in overcoming the isolation that often accompanies such trauma. By sharing their stories, they validate each other's pain and resilience.

As the war in Sudan continues, the need for such safe spaces remains critical. For Aya and others like her, the work of rebuilding lives is ongoing, fueled by the desire to leave the fear of the past behind and embrace a future defined by their own choices.