West Budama North East Member of Parliament (MP) Fox Odoi has proposed that the government legalize prostitution to generate tax revenue.
The suggestion came during discussions on the Sexual Offences Bill 2024, introduced by Soroti District Woman MP Anna Adeke. The Bill initially proposed maintaining prostitution as a criminal offense in Uganda.
Appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, MP Adeke urged the committee to retain clauses prescribing a two-year prison sentence for individuals convicted of engaging in prostitution or soliciting sexual acts from a prostitute.
However, members of the Joint Committee on Legal and Gender rejected the proposal to criminalize prostitution further. Instead, they recommended regulating the industry and introducing taxes on sex work as an alternative approach.
Prostitution remains illegal in Uganda under the 1950 Penal Code, which imposes penalties, including up to seven years of imprisonment, for activities related to the trade. Despite this, the practice continues to be widespread.