Sex-for-fish behaviour escalating HIV in Uganda

Jul 17, 2014

A sex-for-fish behaviour among the fishing communities is proving a tough huddle to skip in the fight against HIV in these communities that make about 61,545 of Uganda’s population.

By John Agaba

A sex-for-fish behaviour among the fishing communities is proving a tough huddle to skip in the fight against HIV in these communities that make about 61,545 of Uganda’s population.


A new report by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), released Wednesday in Kampala, shows women in fishing communities have dinned one ‘meal’ too many and are now giving in sex in exchange for fish, a behavior that is increasingly making the fight against the virus in the communities almost impossible.

Dr. Bernadette Ssebaduka (from IOM), presenting the report, said, “Many women in the communities have no work. But they have to survive. So, when a man comes with fish and he wants sex, they give in.”

Fishing communities have for long been famous for prostitution, but sex for fish is a new twist threatening the fight against HIV in the communities, Ssebaduka said.

According to the report, carried out among 1971 respondents (aged 15 – 59) in the 42 fishing communities in Uganda, women will give in as long as they are getting anything in return. But most men lure them with fish.

The report shows there is difficulty in negotiating condom use, especially when the man has paid “either with money or fish.”

“Some men don’t want to use condoms. They give you more fish. And because you want the fish, you give in,” Linda, a sex worker, is quoted in the report saying.

The report also shows that 38% of women and 35% of men believe that one could contract HIV through mosquito bites.

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