Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
By IP reporter
MBALE, Uganda (IP)
In a city where politics meets nightlife like old friends at a dimly lit bar, President Yoweri Museveni’s latest outreach has left Mbale residents equal parts amused, confused and very alert.
This week, sex workers in Mbale City received Sh40 million — part of a Sh100 million presidential pledge — in what local leaders said was a push to help them “start genuine businesses.”
Critics, however, joked the 80-year-old leader had finally discovered the last untapped voting bloc: night-shift professionals.
The Namakwekwe Women’s Group and the Paradise Group each received Sh20 million at a ceremony held at Rocy Hotel, handed over by the Micro Finance Support Centre.
George William Wopuwa, the Resident City Commissioner, confirmed the disbursement and urged the women to “embrace savings culture” and “distance themselves from the social sexual business.”
“We want them off the streets,” Wopuwa said, nodding at reporters. “Not because of elections — because of HIV exposure. But if they choose to vote wisely afterward, well… that one is God’s plan,” he added with a grin that drew laughter in the room.
Mbale has an estimated 1,200 sex workers, according to local community health data, with peer networks influencing up to 6,000 voters through family, clients and boda boda circuits.
In simple terms? In Mbale, one sex worker can mobilize as efficiently as a parish chief with loudspeakers.
Lydia Wanyoto, the NRM flag bearer for Mbale City, cautioned the women against “undignified social behavior,” blaming cross-border truck routes for exposing them to the trade.
“We want you to respect your beauty,” she said. “Use this money to start respectful businesses — salon, chapati, anything. But leave those travellers alone. They never vote here anyway.”
On Mbale’s buzzing Republic Street, reactions were predictably spicy.
Sarah “Mama Options,” 32, one of the beneficiaries, laughed as she examined the stamped grant papers.
“If the President wants us to leave the work, let him also send customers to our new shops. Some of these men only follow us at night — will they follow us to boutiques?”
Her friend, only identifying herself as Brenda, chimed in: “Sh20 million is good, but will it also remove the debts we owe these truck drivers? They take services on credit like MPs take allowances.”
At the taxi park, driver Musa Wekesa rolled his eyes.
“Museveni has campaigned everywhere — churches, markets, funerals. Now he has reached the night economy. At this rate even my ex might get a presidential grant.”
Perhaps the sharpest jab came from university student Emmanuel Okiror, who sipped a soda and whispered theatrically:
“This is strategic investment. These ladies talk to more voters in one night than ministers talk to in a month.”
Whether Museveni’s gesture was economic empowerment, moral rescue, or a rally disguised as a microfinance project, Mbale is buzzing with speculation.
As the money hits the women’s group accounts, one question hangs in the smoky barrooms of the city:
Is the President fighting immorality — or just securing the night vote, one bar counter at a time?
