Buvuma Islands
Located ninety kilometers east of the capital city of Kampala, Buvuma
district consists of more than fifty islands. This archipeligo is home to
more than 48,000 people (UPHC, 2002), most of which live in small costal
villages (shown below). Most inhabitants trace their ancestry to the
Baganda tribe, speaking the Bantu language of Luganda.
Although many residents farm subsistantly, produce charcoal, and sell timber,
fishing continues to be the dominant industry. Fishers find
livelihood catching Nile Perch and Tilapia, selling their catch to the mainland. The
mobility associated with this profession has had a substantial effect on
the island's HIV rate, estimated to excede 30%. This dismal statistic
can be compared to a national average hovering around 6% (Avert.org, 2009).
The rates of Bilharzia and Malaria undoubtedly follow a similar trend.
The widespread use of illegal, small-holed nets is slowly exhausting the
lakes fish supply, leaving many in poverty. Because of this, many
fishermen are being forced to move inland, hoping to gain living off of
coal production. This is causing extensive deforestation. These
islands contain only one health centre and secondary school, both a testament
to the limited resources that these islands face. Due to the report
location of these islands, ADUA is currently the only registered NGO opperating
in Buvuma.
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