Leaders in Gulu district have launched investigations into disturbing reports that youths from Bungatira Sub County are being recruited into homosexuality and male prostitution.
The issue was raised during a meeting at Kakanyero Hotel on Tuesday organized by Transcultural Psychosocial Organization-TPO Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Ministry of Health.
Ballington Pa’Ongwech, the Local Councilor Five Bungatira Sub County who attended the meeting told Mega Fm that the issue was raised by a health ministry official who said that youths from Bungatira are being recruited into homosexuality and male prostitution by a non-governmental organization which is now being investigated.
According to the report, the youth who are taken to Kampala and Kenya where the trade is booming, are paid between 500,000 to 1 million shillings for the sexual acts.
Charles Ichogor, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner said they are working to arrest the suspects.
In 2021, Parliament passed the sexual offences Bill that criminalizes same-sex relationships.
Meanwhile, Prostitution is illegal in Uganda, according to the Penal Code Act. Article 139 states that any person who practices or engages in prostitution commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
