EDITORIAL
A section of sexual workers operating in Fort Portal City, under their umbrella organization, have expressed distress over the continuous abuse of their sexual rights by security officials.
They claim that security personnel brutalize them when they refuse to consent to sexual affairs, especially regarding condom use, forcing them into non-consensual acts.
Ms Moreen Kyobutungyi, a the Executive Director of the Kabarole Women Health Initiative, an organization advocating for the rights of sexual workers, said they have reported several cases of sexual abuse by security officials to the concerned office but justice has been delayed.
She noted that fear of stigma and discrimination has led some sex workers to avoid reporting these abuses, resulting in the spread of HIV/AIDS among them and those who engage in their services without using condoms.
The concerns, were raised on Monday during a round table meeting of stakeholders in Fort Portal City, which included city leaders, religious leaders, police, UPDF soldiers, and Ministry of Health officials at Ataco Country resort in Fort Portal City.
Ms Margie Nakate, another courtesan, highlighted the challenge of security officials impregnating them after non-consensual sex emphasizing that many women on the streets turn to sex work for survival, leading to an increased risk of HIV/AIDS infection.
The sexual workers demanded an end to discrimination, urging the government to financially empower them.
Major Ceaser Oyiiki from Mountain Division-Fort Portal in his response encouraged sex workers to report any cases of sexual abuse by soldiers for investigation saying the core mandate of UPDF is to protect people and their property.
He emphasized that sex workers should not hesitate to approach their offices to report any incidents, assuring that investigations will be initiated and justice served.
In the same meeting, it was revealed that there is a surge in new HIV/AIDS infections among women in Fort Portal City.
Ms Evans Amara, the Fort Portal City HIV/AIDS focal person, disclosed that in the October-December 2023 period, 237 new cases were diagnosed, with 27 being recent infections. Notably, 15 of these were among individuals aged 20 to 34.
Mayor calls for behavioral change
Fort Portal City Deputy Mayor, Ms Betty Mujungu stressed the need for behavior change and debunking stereotypes in the Tooro sub-region.
She refuted the false beliefs and stereotypes that early sexual activity is culturally embedded in Tooro culture emphasizing the importance of dispelling such misconceptions to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Ms Mujungu also called for the rebranding of HIV/AIDS messaging, considering the current generation’s preference for information through songs and drama kits over traditional radio and TV talk shows, which may not out compete the misinformation on social media.
