Uganda: Women face travel ban to China over prostitution

By ISMAIL MUSA LADU

China has, in a controversial measure, reportedly aimed at preventing human trafficking for prostitution, restricted travel to the country by Ugandan women below the age of 35.

The ban, according to the Chinese officials, will remain in force until the two countries find a lasting solution to the problem of young Ugandan women travelling to China, who end up in prostitution. The ban is bound to have an immediate impact on, especially businesswomen, who import various goods, especially clothes, shoes, electronic appliances and other household items for sale in Uganda.

The Chinese government measure was confirmed in Kampala by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr James Mugune. He said China rightly took the decision after Ugandan MPs, who were up in arms over the reports of young women being turned into sex slaves in Asia, demanded that steps be taken to end human trafficking. It has been established that the victims of the illicit trade have been mainly young women.

During a heated debate by the MPs in Parliament about six months ago, China was named as one of the countries in Asia, where young Ugandan women end up as prostitutes or sex slaves. In reaction to the accusations, China has decided to restrict the travel by women below 35.

“The intention is good although it will also hurt some people. But until a mechanism to stop this kind of trade (human trafficking) is in place, the situation will have to remain so,” said the PS.

Consequence

Following the travel ban, young businesswomen are now finding it hard to go to China to buy their merchandise for sale in Kampala and other towns, and some have been compelled to seek shortcuts.

According to Mr Henry Banyenzaki, the state minister for Economic Monitoring, some have resorted to literally buying their way into the Asian country. “The process of clearance for young women to go to China is now more stringent. I don’t like it because it is discriminatory against the young women—who are more enterprising,” said the Rubanda County West Member of Parliament.

“We are working on how to resolve that. And I am having a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kacita (Kampala City Traders Association) and the Chinese embassy in Kampala to resolve this matter,” Mr Banyenzaki said.

The Daily Monitor learnt that the travel restrictions had been quietly implemented for about six months. But some traders said that travel restrictions were actually initiated by the government through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, but PS Mugume could neither confirm nor deny the claim.

Kacita is expected to clear any women wishing to travel to China for business.

Source: Daily Monitor (13/12/2012): http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Women-face-travel-ban-to-China-over-prostitution/-/688334/1642682/-/2thwy9z/-/index.html