Health workers in Kikuube District are raising alarms over the rising HIV/AIDS prevalence among fishing communities along the shores of Lake Albert, particularly at Kyehoro Landing Site in Kabwoya Sub-county. According to Kyehoro Health Center III, the HIV prevalence rate at the landing site stands at 7%, significantly higher than the national average of 5.1%.
Innocent Irumba, the in-charge of Kyehoro Health Center III, attributes the high infection rates to excessive alcohol consumption, multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, and unprotected encounters with non-regular partners. He also cites migration, night fishing, and daytime redundancy as factors increasing sexual vulnerability.
“Many men and women in these communities are aware of HIV risks, but cultural attitudes discourage condom use, making prevention efforts more difficult,” Irumba said.
To curb infections, health workers are distributing free condoms and promoting HIV testing and counseling. However, Irumba notes that their efforts have been hindered by the suspension of USAID-funded programs that previously supported NGOs conducting HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns.
Kikuube LCV Vice Chairperson Vincent Alpha Opio points to high mobility rates and gaps in HIV prevention programs as major drivers of the crisis.
Residents, including Patrick Okumu from Kyehoro, stress the urgent need for better access to HIV/AIDS services in fishing communities. Okumu highlights the lack of nearby testing and counseling centers, forcing those infected to travel long distances for medical care.
Jackline Kugonza, a fishmonger at Kyehoro Landing Site, calls for expanded HIV counseling and testing services and improved access to antiretroviral treatment for those who test positive. She emphasizes the need for tailored HIV prevention programs that address the unique challenges of fishing communities, particularly in remote areas.
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission’s 2024 estimates, the national HIV prevalence rate is 5.1%. HIV/AIDS-related deaths have declined from 53,000 to 19,000 over the past decade, while new infections among babies have dropped from 30,000 to 4,700.
Among adults aged 15 to 64, HIV prevalence is 6.2%, with higher rates among women (7.6%) than men (4.7%). The data also show that urban women have a higher prevalence rate (9.8%) compared to their rural counterparts (6.7%). Uganda currently has approximately 1.2 million people aged 15 to 64 living with HIV.
