This study assessed how effectively the Domestic Violence Act, 2010 protected victims in selected Ugandan courts. Doctrinal analysis of the Act, the Constitution and key decisions was combined with a quantitative review of 360 domestic violence case files from urban and rural courts. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were used. Legal representation, a medical report and prompt reporting shortened disposal time by 3.95, 2.83 and 2.38 weeks respectively, whereas rural courts, prior incidents and severe injury lengthened it; the model explained 39.2 per cent of the variance. Representation, prompt reporting and medical evidence raised the odds of a protection order or conviction by factors of 2.40, 2.27 and 1.77, while the rural-court effect was borderline. The study concluded that the Act was an adequate legal instrument but that its effectiveness depended on evidence, representation and access. Recommendations addressed legal aid, forensic and medical services, rural court capacity, public awareness and enforcement of protection orders.