UGANDA’S HIGH MORTALITY RATE AMONGST FISHERMEN MAY ACCOUNT FOR DISASTEROUS HIV RATES.
“The fishing communities along the shore are the places with the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country,” says Dr Raymond Byaruhanga, at the Aids information centre in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. For example, in Kasensero, near the border with Tanzania, 43% of the population live with HIV, compared with 7% nationally. The perilous waters near Kasensero are part of the reason why local fishermen seek prostitutes. Lake Victoria is teeming with crocodiles and hippos, storms are frequent around the lake and, a wave can easily overturn the typically flimsy fishing boats. Few fishermen can swim and none wear life jackets. “The mindset of the fishermen is to say: ‘One day my boat will overturn and I will die. Therefore there’s no need to be scared of HIV, it will take several years to kill me. (4)″
“The fishing communities along the shore are the places with the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country,” says Dr Raymond Byaruhanga, at the Aids information centre in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. For example, in Kasensero, near the border with Tanzania, 43% of the population live with HIV, compared with 7% nationally. The perilous waters near Kasensero are part of the reason why local fishermen seek prostitutes. Lake Victoria is teeming with crocodiles and hippos, storms are frequent around the lake and, a wave can easily overturn the typically flimsy fishing boats. Few fishermen can swim and none wear life jackets. “The mindset of the fishermen is to say: ‘One day my boat will overturn and I will die. Therefore there’s no need to be scared of HIV, it will take several years to kill me. (4)″
By sending quality lifejackets to Uganda the UNA Eastbourne is assisting the vital welfare of fishing communities. One fisher on average supports a family of eight. With fishing communities in Uganda amongst the most deprived in the country, any assistance to reduce the appalling death rate amongst fishers is urgently needed.
Donation of 25 quality lifejackets to Dagusi Island, 2014
Christina Elgie, UNA Eastbourne, presents 35 new lifejackets to AFALU officers on Nandi Beach, Entebbe, 2 nd March 2018.
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Since 2010 the United Nations Association Eastbourne has been raising funds and sourcing sponsorship to donate quality buoyancy aids and lifejackets to Ugandan fishers. This support is so vital because fishers cannot afford to buy quality lifejackets – those that they can afford are of poor quality and many locally manufactured lifejackets are condemned by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards as fake.
Uganda shares the world’s largest tropical lake – Lake Victoria, with its neighbours Tanzania and Kenya. However, Uganda’s share, some 29,000 sq. km all lies within 1 degree South of the Equator, where huge tropical storms are generated (1). Every year up to 5,000 fishers (mostly men) drown in the lake (2). Follow this link to see why Lake Victoria is described as the most dangerous stretch of water in the world OTs over Lake Victoria. Ugandan fishing communities according to the Ugandan government’s own surveys are amongst the most impoverished communities in the country. In a recent survey less than half of fishers could not swim and only a quarter wore lifejackets. Most drownings were due to storms, overloading, poorly maintained boats, lack of navigational aids and safety equipment. |
UGANDA FISHERMEN DROWN IN STORM JULY 2018
“The Kalangala District Police Commander, has confirmed that four fishermen have drowned in Lake Victoria in Kalangala district. The boat was hit by strong winds forcing it to capsize. Lake Victoria experiences strong winds known locally as “Kisaawa” In May, the Red Cross Manager Kalangala district warned against venturing into the lake without lifesaving jackets. Also, police have instructed all boat owners to buy lifesaving jackets for people using their boats. (3)”
“The Kalangala District Police Commander, has confirmed that four fishermen have drowned in Lake Victoria in Kalangala district. The boat was hit by strong winds forcing it to capsize. Lake Victoria experiences strong winds known locally as “Kisaawa” In May, the Red Cross Manager Kalangala district warned against venturing into the lake without lifesaving jackets. Also, police have instructed all boat owners to buy lifesaving jackets for people using their boats. (3)”
UNA Eastbourne have donated over 200 quality new life jackets
(CE ISO-100N) to fisherment in Uganda for the past 10 years
valued at £7,000.
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The Mayor of Entebbe, Mr Kayanja Vincent de Paul, welcomes Ian Elgie, Chair
UNA Eastbourne to Kigungu Landing Site to donate 32 life jackets to worthy
fishermen.
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Do you have First-Aid skills?
Why not volunteer your services for a short time in Uganda?
For details contact: Ian Elgie (ianelgie@hotmail.com)
Why not volunteer your services for a short time in Uganda?
For details contact: Ian Elgie (ianelgie@hotmail.com)