Busia sex workers also want support from Museveni for business startups

Busia, (UG):- A section of sex workers in Busia municipality have asked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to support them with capital to undertake responsible businesses so as to improve their livelihood.

Speaking to DailyExpress, sex workers who preferred anonymity to speak freely say they have heard the president supporting sex workers in Mbale District and this has prompted them to seek assistance from the fountain of honour.

This came just weeks ago when President Museveni, while on his country-wide assessment tour to monitor the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other wealth creation programmes in Bugisu announced Shs100m to sex workers in Mbale as support for them to invest in businesses.

“I want to quit this business and do other things. We don’t have money yet we educate children, so we ask President Museveni to also support us with the shs100m like how he did to our colleagues in Mbale,” one of the sex workers said.

She pleaded with the president that they want the money for businesses and forget about prostitution and do serious ventures that will enable them to care for their children and families citing that they have suffered enough.

However, locals in the municipality have contested the sex workers’ plea saying the president is making a mistake to give out money to sex workers instead he should prioritize the widows and unemployed women who are struggling to get school fees for their children.

“We have widows and unemployed women who can be supported by businesses to pay fees for their children instead of giving it out to sex workers. By doing this, our children may think that prostitution is a good activity and may end up going for it,” Ms Namulundi Lilian, a resident of Busia municipality said.

Ms Esther Busingye Wafula, the aspiring woman Member of Parliament Busia district says the money which is being given to sex workers by the president is going to waste as they can rarely abandon their behaviours to switch for other businesses.

“Giving out millions to sex workers is a waste of money since they will receive it and end up eating it and returning to prostitution. It is better to invest such money in projects that can support elderly people in development and other vulnerable people,” Ms. Esther Wafula said.

While in the Bugisu sub-region particularly in Mbale at a youth symposium, President Museveni was responding to the request made by the head of the NRM office of the National Chairman, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo who said that sex workers are the majority of youth.

“Your Excellency, I will not shy away from making this request since you are our grandfather. I request you to give each of the sex workers’ Saccos at least Shs100 million. After all, I see people bringing you fake Saccos and you give them money,” Hajjat Namyalo pleaded with the president on December 20, 2024, at the Bugisu youths symposium.