KAMPALA, UGANDA — A study conducted by Makerere University’s Department of Population Studies has revealed a critical health crisis among young women working in Ugandan mining sites, with over 50 percent contracting at least one Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in the past year.
Led by Professor Betty Kwagala, the research involved 810 participants from gold mines in the districts of Kassanda, Mubende, Busia, and Namayingo.
The study aimed to assess the economic and health well-being of marginalized populations in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) settlements, examining their living conditions before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond evaluating sexual and reproductive health, researchers also investigated occupational health impacts, finding numerous women suffering from mercury exposure complications.
The study’s findings indicate that the pandemic has intensified the vulnerability of young women, leading many to engage in high-risk behaviors. Notably, 28 percent of participants reported having multiple sexual partners in the preceding year.
Dr. Stephen Ojambo Wandera, a lecturer in the Department of Population Studies at Makerere University, emphasized the pervasive sexual exploitation within mining areas. He highlighted the significant risks faced by girls trafficked into these sites, including teenage pregnancies and HIV infection.
Despite the existence of by-laws intended to provide protection, awareness and enforcement remain inadequate.
Dr. Wandera advocated for the implementation of more stringent ordinances to prevent child access to mines and to safeguard female artisanal miners from sexual exploitation.
The ASM sector in Uganda is estimated to employ approximately 40,000 women; however, researchers suggest this figure may be higher due to the dynamic nature of artisanal mining, where individuals frequently move in and out of mines based on opportunity.
Fred Ngabirano, commissioner for Children and Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, acknowledged the long-standing issue of exploitation in the mines, emphasizing the necessity for a shift in societal attitudes to achieve lasting solutions.
As part of the research initiative, participants received training in basic business management and were provided with capital for investment. This intervention aimed to assess the potential of economic empowerment to alleviate the challenges faced by young women in mining communities.
