Women Fish Traders Expose 'Sex for Fish' Exploitation at Border Markets

Female fish traders operating across various landing sites and border markets in Uganda have courageously stepped forward to expose the severe hardships they face while trying to supply their goods to local markets.

Among the most troubling revelations is the pervasive practice of “sex for fish,” where vulnerable women traders are pressured and solicited for sexual favors by fishermen in exchange for guaranteed access to fish supplies.

Beyond this egregious sexual exploitation, the women highlighted a hostile working environment characterized by rampant corruption, intimidation, and constant harassment from individuals controlling the landing sites. These systemic barriers not only threaten the livelihoods of hardworking female traders but also create dangerous conditions that severely compromise their safety and dignity.

Observers note that similar vulnerabilities are surfacing elsewhere in the fishing sector. In Kalangala, recent restrictions on the mukene (silverfish) trade have crippled local livelihoods, leaving young girls increasingly susceptible to exploitation by unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of economic desperation.

Stakeholders and community advocates are calling for urgent interventions from local authorities and security agencies to protect female traders, dismantle corrupt networks at landing sites, and ensure fair, safe trading practices for everyone involved in the fisheries value chain.

Read more details of this report on the Daily Monitor.