A group of former sex workers in Kampala has been granted a total of Shs70 million as start-up capital through the Government’s Emyooga programme, helping them transition to sustainable livelihoods.
The women, who are part of the Rubaga Division Women Stress Overcomers Emyooga SACCO, consist of over 320 members from various areas including Nateete, Kyengera, Mugongo, Nakirebe, Nakisozi, and Kasenge.
They are now using the funds to launch small businesses, such as salons, bars, and restaurants.
Many women shared their difficult experiences in prostitution.
Rachael, 63, entered the trade at 45 in Nateete Mabiito, following the death of her children’s father.
As a single mother with two children in tertiary institutions, she struggled to afford their education. “I took full responsibility for them, but it became overwhelming,” Rachael recalled.
Her time in prostitution exposed her to significant dangers, including being raped and strangled, with one man even attempting to kill her. After years of enduring these hardships, Rachael left the trade last year.
Despite their challenging circumstances, many sex workers formed savings groups, managing to accumulate up to Shs1.2 million to support themselves. “In our group, we saved at least Shs70,000 per week,” Rachael shared.
Another former sex worker, a single mother of four from Nateete, described how her earnings were often meager, ranging from Shs5,000 to Shs20,000 on a good day. “Sometimes, I could barely make Shs50,000 in a month,” she explained. She also spoke of the abuse she faced, including police officers taking advantage of her during operations.
Judith, who turned to prostitution in 2017 after the death of her husband in 2015, said that her husband’s family abandoned her, leaving her struggling to care for their two children.
“I tried my best, but eventually, I could not even afford food,” she said. Judith’s earnings were low, with only a small portion left after paying for rent.
“I would sometimes be left with just Shs4,000 or Shs5,000,” she recalled. Her biggest challenge was men demanding unprotected sex, offering up to Shs50,000 for it, but Judith chose to accept smaller amounts to stay safe for her children’s sake.
Judith’s life changed when she joined a training programme facilitated by the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC).
With Shs3 million in start-up capital, she opened a bar in Kyengera and now saves at least Shs20,000 daily.
“Leaving that job wasn’t easy, but our leader introduced us to a training group before we received the financial support,” she explained. “At first, we feared being exploited again, but this time, it was different.”
Maggie, the chairperson of the group, explained that about 90 members received between Shs1.5 million and Shs3 million each, depending on their business plans.
“After multiple consultative meetings, more women joined, and we received funding to start our businesses,” she said.
“The money is working, but some who received the first batch got very little, considering their responsibilities.”
Gidson Ainamani, head of business development services at MSC, explained that the initiative began when a group of single mothers from Busega market approached MSC for help in buying a freezer for their fish-selling business.
“I learned about the challenges these women faced, particularly those in Nateete and Rubaga. Many were single mothers struggling to support their families,” Ainamani shared.
After connecting with the women, Ainamani discovered that most were not in the trade by choice but due to economic hardship, with their primary motivation being to support their children and families.
To help them transition, MSC organized training in areas such as group formation, record-keeping, leadership, financial literacy, and enterprise selection.
“We organized them into 11 groups of 30 members each, and provided training on managing savings and financial growth. As a result, they successfully formed a savings and credit co-operative society,” Ainamani said.
MSC provided phased financial support for their businesses, with the first group receiving funding in June, the second in September, and the third in February.
To date, MSC has provided a total of Shs216.8 million in support.
