By Our Reporter 

SOROTI CITY — In a heartbreaking display of resilience amid adversity, schoolgirls in Soroti are increasingly turning to the sex trade, selling themselves for as little as 1,000 UGX. This alarming trend highlights the distressing circumstances that compel these young girls to make such desperate choices in order to survive.

The disturbing revelation was made public during the Soroti Secondary School Annual General Meeting, attended by community leaders and concerned citizens. Sheikh Obilan Abubakar Umar, the Regional Assistant Mufti for Teso-Karamoja, highlighted the issue, emphasizing the dire circumstances that have pushed young girls into such exploitative situations. He linked this trend to a broader context of poverty and lack of resources, which hampers their ability to afford essentials like lunch and school supplies.

Sheikh Obilan's remarks also underscored the high prevalence of HIV in Soroti, which currently stands at 12.5%, significantly exceeding the national average of 5.1%. He pointed out that the combination of a rising sex trade and high HIV rates presents a severe public health risk, especially for the vulnerable school-aged population. Health officials note that with over 120 identified “hot spots” linked to commercial sex activity, the situation requires urgent attention from both local authorities and community members.

The Sheikh condemned the practices of some parents who arrange early marriages for their underage daughters, effectively depriving them of educational opportunities and exposing them to further exploitation. He urged communities to remain vigilant against such detrimental practices and called on parents to prioritize their children's education and well-being over financial gain.

In addition to addressing the sex trade, Sheikh Obilan also highlighted other pressing health concerns affecting the Teso sub-region, including cervical cancer and sickle cell disease.

He noted that the region has one of the highest sickle cell prevalence rates in the country, calling for increased awareness, testing, and health services, including the establishment of a sickle cell clinic in Soroti.

Source Credit - Ankole Times