Women involved in cross-border fish trade at Uganda’s major border points have raised alarm over increasing cases of sexual harassment, exploitation, and unfair taxation, saying the hostile business environment is pushing many small-scale traders out of the fisheries sector.
The traders, many of whom rely on the fish business as their main source of income, accuse some officials and middlemen of demanding sexual favours, extorting money, and subjecting them to discrimination during cross-border transactions.
Speaking during a dialogue meeting organized by Kilimo Trust, women traders described what they called a growing “sex-for-fish” culture that continues to affect vulnerable women operating with limited capital.
Merina Masika Mafuta, a cross-border fish trader operating at Mpondwe, said women traders face numerous challenges while transporting and selling fish across borders.
“We are charged highly, cheated in currency exchange, and sometimes discriminated against because we are women traders with small capital,” she said.
Masika appealed to the government to establish fairer trading conditions and policies that protect small-scale women traders from exploitation.
“Government should support women doing small businesses because this is what helps us look after our families and educate our children,” she added.
Another trader, Zira Babu from Busia, revealed that some women in the fisheries business are exposed to sexual harassment in exchange for access to fish and market opportunities.
“Some women are harassed and forced into compromising situations before they can access fish or cross-border business opportunities,” she said.
The revelations emerged during discussions under a project aimed at empowering women and youth in the fisheries sector.
Daniel Ojiambo, a Value Chain Programs Officer at Kilimo Trust, said the organization is working with stakeholders to improve business conditions for women and youth engaged in fisheries trade.
“Women and youth contribute significantly to the fisheries value chain, but they continue to face barriers that affect their growth and safety in business,” Ojiambo noted.
Representing the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Richard Rugadya acknowledged the concerns raised by traders and encouraged victims of harassment and exploitation to report such cases to relevant authorities.
“Cases of harassment and exploitation should be reported so that responsible authorities can take action against perpetrators,” Rugadya said.
Women traders say that unless urgent interventions are made to address sexual exploitation, unfair taxation, and discrimination, many could abandon the fisheries trade, affecting household incomes and regional cross-border commerce.