Despite being outlawed, sex work in Uganda has boldly endured across time and space, shaped and reshaped by forces such as colonialism, racial and gender supremacy, capitalism and globalization. This article explores and analyzes the link between sex work, law and gender roles, and the nexus between labour, desire and female offending. Based on fieldwork conducted in the two Ugandan towns of Kampala and Jinja, I argue that the law on prostitution reinforces gender stereotypes and perpetuates sexual/moral double standards for men and women. Data is presented from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions that unravel some of the hidden, complex issues regarding women’s sexuality. I conclude that the offence of prostitution presents a vital tool for the patriarchal state to regulate and control women’s sexuality, which
must be challenged.
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