The Deputy Press Secretary to the Presidency, Hajji Faruk Kirunda, has defended President Museveni's commitment of Shs100 million into a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) for sex workers in Mbale City.

During his address at the Bugisu Youth Symposium on Friday, as part of his tour to assess the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the Bugisu region, Museveni pledged to inject Shs100m into the SACCO.

"Do you want sex workers to also have their sacco?..but the question is, do they know each other in the whole of this town? Ok, I have given you Shs100m," Museveni remarked.

However, Museveni's pledge sparked debate among Ugandans, particularly because commercial sex work is illegal in the country.

In response to those questioning Museveni's pledge, Kirunda defended the President's move, arguing that there is no harm in his gesture.

"This is a vulnerable group forced into this risky work due to economic hardship and peer pressure. They are in need of decent means to earn a livelihood. With this support, their dreams will come true," Kirunda stated on X (formerly Twitter).

He expressed hope that the SACCO would help integrate sex workers in Mbale into the formal economy, a vision consistently preached by the President.

"They will quit the illegal venture and join the open economy like other Ugandans being supported under PDM, Emyooga, YLP and UWEP. The kingdom of prosperity whose gospel President Museveni preaches is meant for such neglected categories of Ugandans. No one should frustrate or mock them." Kirunda asserted.

Museveni's pledge followed the request of the head of the NRM Office of the National Chairman, Ms Hadijah Namyalo who appealed to the President to support the sex workers.

"Your excellency, I will not shy away from making this request since you are our grandfather. I request you to give each of the sex workers' Saccos at least Shs100 million. After all I see people bringing you fake Saccos and you give them money," Ms Namyalo said.