Uganda Government News: Tax for sex workers proposed
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First published: 20090702 3:53:26 AM EST
By Walakira Nyanzi, Ultimate Media
Commercial sex services in Kampala and the nearby districts are likely to cost more following an introduction of an annual operating fee by the local authorities.
The authorities have ordered commercial sex workers in divisions to pay 100,000 shillings before they are allowed to operate.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kawempe, Edward Sekabanja says the move is aimed at reducing prostitution in Kampala and other towns.
He says Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso and Mpigi RDC’s in their recent general meeting proposed for the new tax and urged local authorities to implement it.
Sekabanja also urges government to come out with the law that will legalize tax for sex workers. Sex work or prostitution is still a crime in Uganda.
Sekabanja says there are more than 5,000 sex workers permanently stationed in Kampala alone. The RDC says town councils will be able to collect millions of shillings if the sex work tax is fully introduced in all town councils.
According to research this reporter conducted from the main sports of Kampala where prostitutes operates most, Sex workers earn an average of 15000 shillings daily.
This writer talked to most of the sex workers in Kampala but majority of them said the tax is illegal but they are ready to pay it to avoid arrests.
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