Government, through the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC), has extended financial support worth Sh40 million to groups of former sex workers in Mbale City in an effort to help them start sustainable and dignified income-generating activities.
The intervention is part of MSC’s broader strategy to empower vulnerable groups and promote financial inclusion among communities that have long faced marginalization and instability.
A total of Sh40 million was disbursed to two women’s associations—Namakwekwe B Association and Paradise Women Development Association—each receiving Sh20 million. The two groups comprise 60 women who formerly relied on sex work for survival but are now committed to rebuilding their lives through structured economic ventures.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held recently in Mbale City, Annet Namugobe Mudoma, the Queen Mother of the Bugisu Kingdom, who represented the Umukuka, encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace discipline, adopt a culture of saving, and rebuild their sense of dignity. She stressed that the financial support was not merely a grant but an opportunity for the women to take charge of their future.
“I call upon you to command your future and improve your life,” she said. “If you don’t save and you fall sick, who will support you? Do not despise small businesses. Economic independence is a powerful tool for restoring dignity and securing a respectable place in society.”
Namugobe urged the women to invest in ventures that align with their long-term goals, reminding them that sustainable transformation starts with personal responsibility, hard work, and a willingness to use available opportunities wisely.
Francis Elwoku, MSC’s Eastern Regional Manager, echoed her sentiments, noting that identifying the right beneficiaries had been a sensitive and challenging process. According to him, many women in Mbale City are struggling with poverty, lack of education, and limited job opportunities, making the selection process a delicate task.
“We had to ensure that the support reached those who need it the most,” he said. “Our aim is to help these women leave the streets permanently by equipping them with the resources they need to start viable businesses. The major issue has always been a lack of income-generating activities, and this grant seeks to address exactly that.”
Elwoku encouraged the beneficiaries to use the money to establish ventures that will not only provide them with daily income but also promote self-reliance and long-term stability.
Jastine Khalayi, the MSC Products and Marketing Officer, highlighted the remarkable transformation the women have undergone through the training and counseling sessions organized by MSC. She said the beneficiaries have shown determination to change their lives, and many have already begun identifying business ideas they wish to pursue.
Khalayi also called on the public to adjust its perceptions and language when referring to women. “The term ‘sex workers’ should be replaced with ‘former sex workers’ because your activities have transformed,” she said. She emphasized that words carry power and can either promote stigma or encourage reintegration.
NRM Mbale City Woman MP aspirant, Lydia Wanyoto, hailed the initiative as a turning point for women who have endured social rejection and economic exclusion for years. She noted that the government’s support would help the beneficiaries reintegrate into their communities and rebuild their dignity.
“This money from the government is going to help you reintegrate with your community and restore your dignity,” she said. Wanyoto urged them to use the funds responsibly, adding that their success stories would inspire other vulnerable women to pursue positive change.
The intervention by MSC marks an important step toward empowering marginalized women in Mbale City and demonstrates the government’s commitment to creating opportunities for all citizens—especially those who have been socially and economically disadvantaged.
