Is President Museveni right to warn Ugandans about oral sex?

By Mike Ssegawa
‘Kojja’ Yoweri Museveni is once again making headlines with advice on oral sex. A few years ago, he told the country and the world that same sex relationships were a work of a devil. He is now warning us about using the mouth while having intimacy.

Adults use their mouths to kiss, and during intimacy, there is what they call ‘BJ’ or Blow Jobs, where one uses their lips and tongue to sexually arouse their partner. This practice is actually optional. Some individuals or couples don’t like it all – but again, some do like the flavor it adds to their sex life.
Museveni’s warning might easily turn into a laughing matter, since the biggest problem with being a president of a country like Uganda is sounding an “expert” of sorts on all subjects. Today you find a leader giving an opinion on discoveries in space, bacteria in the soil, music themes, contours in Kigezi, or sex styles and how long you should spend on the job. So people get used to hearing you speak about things you know little about.

However, I should admit that Mr Museveni might not have been explicit in spelling out the dangers in oral sex (however sweet it might seem), but indeed, he was spot on.
It requires one to just visit google to search about the dangers of Oral sex.
I know this might be tasking and this is why I draw your attention to this short write on oral sex below from the United Kingdom’s National Health Service website.
Oral sex is when you stimulate your partner’s genitals with your mouth, lips or tongue. This could involve sucking or licking their penis (also called fellatio), vagina, vulva or clitoris (cunnilingus), or anus (anilingus).

Is it common to have oral sex?
Many people have oral sex before or instead of sexual intercourse.
If you’re going to have oral sex with your partner, try different techniques until you find out what you both enjoy.

Is oral sex safe?
There’s no risk of getting pregnant through oral sex. But you can catch or pass on some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by having oral sex.
The most common STIs that can be passed on through oral sex include:
• herpes
• gonorrhoea
• syphilis
Other STIs that are passed on less commonly through oral sex include:
• chlamydia
• genital warts
• hepatitis A
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• HIV
• pubic lice

The risk is generally higher if you give rather than receive oral sex. This is because you’re more likely to be exposed to genital fluids.
The risk is also higher if you have cuts, sores or ulcers in your mouth. Avoid brushing your teeth or using dental floss shortly before giving oral sex as this could cause your gums to bleed. If you want to freshen your mouth first, you could try mouthwash or mints.
If you think you may have an STI, see your GP or go to your nearest sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

How can I make oral sex safer?
For oral sex on a man, use a condom to reduce your risk of getting an STI. Try a flavoured one if you don’t like the taste of regular condoms.
For oral sex on a woman, or when performing anilingus, use a dam. This is a small, thin square of latex or plastic that acts as a barrier between the vagina or anus and the mouth, preventing the spread of STIs
See: https://www.nhs.uk/