President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed security agencies across the country to cease operations harassing sex workers from places they work from.
The directive was passed on by Senior Presidential Assistant on Monitoring Service Delivery, Mr Yiga Kisakyamukama during an economic empowerment engagement with a group of sex workers across Rubaga Division at New Best Hotel Busega.
Mr Kisakyamukamu told the enthusiastic group that the president had sent him to pass on his message of social economic transformation, urging them to actively participate in all government programs intended to lift them from poverty. The group was tasj3d to form a SACCO through which the president will channel funds for members to borrow and pay back at affordable interests so as to empower themselves.
The different groups have been tasked to choose leaders from amongst themselves to ease communication and mobilization.
The women decried police hostility, noting instances where their customers have been arrested inside their rooms and taken into police cells without any justified reason. They also accused police of arresting them and demanding hefty sums in exchange for freedom, noting that oftentimes they spend their hard earned money to bribe police.
In response, Kisakyamukama declared that the president has directed through him, that no such arrests should be made and warning that any security officer who does will risk dire consequences.
” From today onwards, I am directing that no sex worker should be arrested for doing this job. I speak this as a message from the President who has sent me here.” He said amidst illustrations from his day’s audience.
Kisakyamukama noted that the directive extends beyond Kampala to the rest of the country. He also added that both men buyers and sellers will be protected under the directive.
He however cautioned the group against encouraging mainors to participate in the sex trade, adding that places with underage girls will be closed and operators prosecuted.
He said the program will extend to all the divisions of Kampala before being rolled out in other urban areas across the country.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
