Shillah Ainembabazi, president of the Uganda National Students Association, addressed Parliament’s HIV/AIDS and Related Matters Committee to link economic hardship with rising HIV rates among students. According to Nile Post, Ainembabazi warned that hunger and poverty push vulnerable students, particularly girls, into transactional relationships to secure food, transport, and accommodation. She argued that these economic pressures undermine traditional awareness campaigns and increase exposure to sexual exploitation.
Ainembabazi cited national survey data indicating that young women aged 18 to 24 who engaged in transactional sex before age 18 had 5.9 times higher odds of having multiple partners and 5.2 times higher odds of infrequent condom use. She noted that economic dependence often limits a woman’s ability to negotiate protective measures, such as condom use, against older partners or authority figures. AllAfrica reported that she also highlighted the role of landlords and motorcycle taxi operators in creating situations where students face sexual pressure due to financial constraints.
The UNSA president emphasized that menstrual health is a critical component of HIV prevention. She stated that girls often miss school or drop out because they cannot afford sanitary pads, leading to absenteeism and reduced academic performance. Ainembabazi described school meals and menstrual hygiene support as essential prevention measures rather than optional welfare extras. She urged the ministries of education and health, along with the Uganda AIDS Commission, to address these underlying causes directly.
Barriers to confidential healthcare in schools were also a focus of her testimony. Ainembabazi explained that stigma often prevents students from accessing HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and post-exposure prophylaxis. She proposed stronger links between schools and health facilities to ensure students can receive treatment without discrimination. Additionally, she suggested using entertainment platforms like music and drama to deliver health information, arguing these methods attract larger student audiences than conventional seminars. Her proposals aim to combine practical financial interventions with consistent sexual health education.