In a bid to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the fishing communities of Namayingo District, the Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP) has initiated a pilot project targeting the sub-counties of Banda, Lolwe, Sigulu, and Mutumba.

The intervention aims to address the high prevalence of HIV in these hard-to-reach areaswhere risky behaviors and limited healthcare access have contributed to ongoing transmission.

According to Dr. Achilles Kiyimba of MJAP, the fishing communities are particularly vulnerable due to prevalent risky behaviors.

“The lifestyle of many residentsespecially fishermen and islanderslead to a higher risk of HIV infection,” Dr. Kiyimba explains.

The recent MJAP data reveals that the HIV prevalence rate in Namayingo stands at 4.8%, slightly below the national average of 5.5%. However, young women aged 15 to 24 are disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

During the program’s inception meeting held in the district council hall, stakeholders, including health officials and community leaders discussed strategies to improve access and utilization of health services.

Mathias Mangeni, the Assistant District Health Officer, cited barriers faced by island communities, noting the absence of nearby health centers.

He also raised concerns about the seasonal influx of fishermen from neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzaniawhich further exacerbates the risk of HIV transmission on islands such as Lolwe

James Ouma Wandera, the Secretary for Health and Education expressed concern over the lack of awareness among residents about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.

“Many in the fishing communities do not take the threat of HIV seriously,” Wandera said. He urged the government and development partners to engage local leaders in sensitizing the population on prevention measures.

 Assistant Resident District Commissioner Yakuti Kalange called for greater marital faithfulness as a crucial step in reducing HIV rates. "Promoting fidelity within marriages is essential if we are to fight HIV/AIDS effectively in Namayingo and across Uganda," Yakuti emphasized.

TheDistrict Fisheries Officer, Fred Igoma, pointed out the unique challenges of providing healthcare to the fishing community, where the highly mobile lifestyle of fishermen makes it difficult to offer consistent services.

“Our efforts are often hampered by the constant movement of fishermen, making it hard to reach them with necessary health interventions,” Igoma explains.

Isam Lutalo, a resident pointed out economic hardships which often push young girls and married women to seek financial support from wealthier men.

“Economic hardshipsoften push young girls and married women into prostitution while men, in turn, pursue women with financial means. This cycle exacerbates the spread of HIV, making prevention efforts more complex,” Lutalo said

He urged government to prioritize fishing communities in its HIV prevention strategies, stressing that addressing socio-economic factors is key in curbing the spread of the virus.

“If we want to see real change, there must be a special focus on these vulnerable communities, where economic struggles and high mobility continue to fuel new infections,” he said.

Dr. Achilles Kiyimba during inception meeting in the District Council Hall.

A cross section of district technical team during the inception meeting