Mbale City witnessed a moment of transformation as two groups of former sex workers received a shs 40 million grant from the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC), a government-backed initiative aimed at helping vulnerable women leave street-based sex work and build dignified livelihoods.
On Tuesday, Namakwekwe B Association and Paradise Women Development Association, each comprising 30 members, were credited with shs 20 million in their SACCO accounts after completing months of training in savings, group management, and small business development.
Francis Elwoku, MSC Eastern Regional Manager, described the painstaking process of identifying and preparing beneficiaries.
“The identification process was so hard, actually, whereby even my staff had to move and ride to try as much as possible to get the right people in the streets.”
He highlighted the purpose of the grant noting that it is aimed at getting them off streets.
“We are giving a grant to the sex workers. We want to make sure that we get these women out of the streets because the major issue was they don’t have income-generating activities.”
Elwoku emphasized sustainability, urging members to use the money responsibly so that it can generate continuous benefits, allowing new entrants to join the groups and also access support.
“The funds keep on revolving within the members in these groups, and we encourage new entrants to join so that we can add them more funds after seeing what they have done.”
Bugisu Queen Mother, Annet Namugobe Mudoma, urged the women to view the grant not merely as financial support, but as a pivotal opportunity to build a dignified and empowered life.
She stressed the importance of saving and responsibility. “As you are there, command the future and improve your life. If you don’t save and you fall sick, who will support you?” she asked.
She further encouraged them to ensure that every contribution they get, no matter how small, is used meaningfully to make a positive difference.
“Even if it is 500, it is enough. You can begin something. Don’t quarrel for big sums. Accept the little money they have given you.”
Mudoma emphasized the importance of self-respect and long-term transformation, urging former sex workers to reclaim their dignity and build a better future.
“You are capable of transforming, and you deserve to live a life of dignity and respect. Out of that dust, you can command respect and dignity to yourself.”
NRM Mbale City Woman MP aspirant Lydia Wanyoto praised the initiative as a chance to redirect lives.
“I thank the President and the Microfinance Support Centre for this initiative, which ensures that our sisters on the streets are supported to transition into a dignified economy," she added.
She described how the grant helps integrate women back into society.
“This money from government is going to help them now reintegrate themselves with a new picture of the community, with their dignity, and redirect their energies to earn a living but with dignity.”
Wanyoto highlighted their potential for growth urging them to venture into decent money generating activities.
“These are young people, they are beautiful the potential to be mothers, to be home builders is clearly there because you could see that they are ready to work and they are ready to be remodelled and integrated into the community.”
Justin Khalayi, theProducts and Marketing Officer at MSC while addressing emphasized the transformation achieved by the women.
“Microfinance Support Centre is there to grow with you, to make sure that you transform.”
She insisted that society should acknowledge their new identity.
“The word that we are using sex workers we should remove it and put former sex workers because I am now sure that your activities have transformed.”
Khalayi also urged other groups to prepare for similar support. "We kept asking who is ready. I’m proud that we presented two groups. Tell the other groups to prepare. Whoever is ready should come in.”
Mbale City RCC George William Wapuko urged the women to handle the grant responsibly. He thanked the government for not abandoning the vulnerable group.
“We thank President Museveni and Microfinance Support Centre for not abandoning these people. “Those who have benefited should call others who are still in the business to also come and get transformed, he said.
The president of the sex workers’ group in Mbale praised the Microfinance Support Centre for honoring its pledge, noting that many of the members had initially doubted the initiative.
She said that with the grant now credited to their accounts, the women are encouraged and motivated. She added that several members had already started small businesses during the MSC training period, and this funding will help expand those ventures.
“Many of our members did not believe this was real, but now that the money has been wired to our accounts, we are convinced and very happy. Several of us have already started small businesses, and this grant will help us grow them even further," she said