In Uganda, its common to bring women into households to help
with chores such as cleaning, cooking and childcare. Yet many say that they
have been coerced into undergoing screenings for HIV and sexually-transmitted
infections. Advocates say the testing is a harbinger of discrimination and even
sexual exploitation.Most middle class homes in Uganda hire some form of house help. But domestic
workers are increasingly being required to submit to health screenings as a
precondition to employment. Domestic workers and labor advocates say the women are routinely tested for
sexual-transmitted infections, including HIV. 
Lydia Bwiite, a lawyer with the Platform for Labor Action, investigates rights abuses of workers in Uganda. “Even those who say 'yes I consented' it is a forceful thing... We have always encouraged domestic workers for their own benefit, even without forcing them, to go and test for the HIV. You remain with your results. It is up to you. When you find out, please look after yourself appropriately... But when you drag me from your home, take me to a clinic and test me and actually won't let me look at my results, the consent is not there,” said Bwiite. Staff at clinics that administer the tests confirmed the phenomenon but said they weren’t authorized to be interviewed.
Several employers also declined to speak on microphone but told VOA that they demand the screening because they want to know if someone around their child has HIV.
Lydia Bwiite, a lawyer with the Platform for Labor Action, investigates rights abuses of workers in Uganda. “Even those who say 'yes I consented' it is a forceful thing... We have always encouraged domestic workers for their own benefit, even without forcing them, to go and test for the HIV. You remain with your results. It is up to you. When you find out, please look after yourself appropriately... But when you drag me from your home, take me to a clinic and test me and actually won't let me look at my results, the consent is not there,” said Bwiite. Staff at clinics that administer the tests confirmed the phenomenon but said they weren’t authorized to be interviewed.
Several employers also declined to speak on microphone but told VOA that they demand the screening because they want to know if someone around their child has HIV.
Yet dismissal, rather than health care, is often the result
of a positive test.
The clinics acknowledge that the patient’s consent is required to disclose test results. But some domestic workers here are under the legal age of consent and many do not speak English.The 2014 HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act makes disclosing an HIV status to anybody but the patient illegal. It also prohibits workplace discrimination based on HIV status.
The clinics acknowledge that the patient’s consent is required to disclose test results. But some domestic workers here are under the legal age of consent and many do not speak English.The 2014 HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act makes disclosing an HIV status to anybody but the patient illegal. It also prohibits workplace discrimination based on HIV status.
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