Sex Workers in Uganda use Polythene Bags as Condoms

Sex workers in Uganda are crying over the shortage of condoms and have resorted to using polythene bags. Sex workers in the Eastern Uganda district of Iganga have appealed to the Ministry of Health and the government at large to assist them by providing them with enough condoms.

The government of Uganda through its Ministry of Health has a policy of providing condoms free of charge to sex workers and whoever wants to use them. The condoms are provided by the Ministry of Health and are placed in all government hospitals and health centres. However, according to sex workers, when they go to hospitals for condoms they are told that they are out of stock.

One of their national leaders based in Kampala, Aisha Nanozi said in a media interview,” Condoms are our capital. But now they are not available which means our lives are in danger. We have to sell sex in order to survive but without condoms, our work is affected.”They now fear pregnancy and HIV/AIDs.

Agnes Nandutu, a sex worker in Iganga town which is the most affected area said that they have resorted to using polythene bags as condoms. She said that they use the small light polythene bags because they fear risking their lives by playing live sex. She said that many men appreciate their situation and agree to use them although some of them refuse and walk away in protest.

One of the men, Henry Mayanja, however, complained that he could not play his favourite style of Kachabali while using a polythene bag. Iganga district deputy health officer, Karim Muluya said that they are making efforts to stock condoms in the hospitals.