{UAH} LOKODO ANNOUNCES CRACKDOWN ON THIGH-VENDING, PORN SHOWS

DIRECTORATE FOR ETHICS AND INTEGRITY
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT


GOVERNMENT EFFORTS IN RESPONDING TO ESCALATING PROSTITUTION AND
PORNOGRAPHY IN UGANDA


STATEMENT BY:

Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo (MP)
Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity

At the UGANDA MEDIA CENTRE, KAMPALA
FRIDAY 6TH MARCH 2015


Dear Members of the press,

You may recall a couple of weeks ago I pledged to work with
responsible institutions to bring under control the ever-increasing
practice of prostitution and pornography in Uganda.

Today I am privileged to present to you an update of government
efforts in curbing the evil.

Prostitution is the practice of engaging in sexual relations in
exchange for payment or some other benefit. It is sometimes described
as commercial sex. People who are engaged in this field are called
prostitutes.

The Uganda's Penal Code Act 1950 (138 & 139) defines a "prostitute" as
a person who, in public or elsewhere, regularly or habitually holds
himself or herself out as available for sexual intercourse or other
sexual gratification for monetary or other material gain, and
"prostitution" shall be construed accordingly.

Prostitution was discussed by the 7th parliament as a controversial
matter and prostitutes were referred to as sex workers. However, there
is no such term as "sex work" under our law. This clearly means that
prostitution is not considered as work in Uganda.
This practice is not only limited to the streets but can also be
observed in bars and restaurants and private contacts are accessible.

Government efforts to curb prostitution

As Government effort has been made to control immorality and indecent
behaviour of members of the public through enacting of legislation and
development of policies.

Under the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity Government has:


Developed of the National Ethical Values Policy which responds to
escalating moral decadence in Uganda exhibited in a number of
activities and practices such as Prostitution, pornography, defilement
and rape
To operationalize the above policy, the following laws have been enacted.
i. The Penal Code Act which deals with criminal law provides under
Section 138 that "Prostitute means a person who in public or elsewhere
regularly or habitually holds himself or herself out as available for
sexual intercourse or other sexual gratification for monetary or other
material gain and "prostitution" shall be construed accordingly."
Section 139 of the Penal Code Act states that any person who practice
or engages in prostitution commits an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for seven years.

ii. The Anti-Pornography Act, 2014: This is an Act to define and
create the offence of pornography; to provide for the prohibition of
pornography; to establish the Pornography Control Committee and
prescribe its functions; and for other related matters

It is on the premise of the above laws that the Directorate for Ethics
and Integrity working closely with the Police has undertaken measures
to bring to book persons found in the act of pornography and
prostitution. The latest incidence is the arrest of men and women in a
Brothel in Bakuli, a Kampala Surburb yesterday Thursday 5th March
2015. They culprits are under custody at the Central Police Station
Kampala for further interrogation and charge by the Police and other
responsible institutions.

Conclusion

Government remains committed to curbing the ever-increasing immorality
in Uganda through enforcement of the law, prosecution, courts. This
will also require concerted efforts with; nonprofit organizations,
service providers, women, child and youth advocates, schools,
survivors, legislators, faith and business communities, labor, and
health.
We call upon all stakeholders and right thinking citizens of Uganda to
cooperate in all programs to curb this vice.


For God and My Country
Rev. Simon Lokodo (MP)

--
"TRY TO GROW UP!" "OKWANGALI AND HONOUREBELS ARE NINCOMPOOPS!"
"TRIBALISM IS NOT A DEED, EXCEPT OF SPEECH!" "A GENERAL WITHOUT
AMBITION IS A CORPORAL" "A GENERAL WITH TOO MUCH AMBITION IS AN
INSURGENT" "THE PROBLEM OF AFRICAN LEADERS IS CITIZENS WHO DREAM TO BE
CARRIED ON THE HEAD" "POOR YOUTH ARE POOR AT HEART" "I SHALL
OVERTHROW A GOV'T WHICH DESECRATES SUBSTANTIVE POSITIONS WITH POOR
YOUTH" "GOV'T IS BAD. WHY TELL LIES ABOUT IT?"

MEMBER OF THE VISIONARIES CLUB, THIRD AXIS

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.