Have you ever scrolled through the Instagram of a 21-year-old and wondered, How is she jetting
off on private flights, sipping cocktails at Mezo Noir in Kampala, lounging in Versace gowns at
luxurious hotels and resorts in Jinja and Entebbe, spending weekends in Zanzibar and Dubai
especially when she only started University a year ago?

Welcome to the rise of Uganda’s new hustle: the PIMP economy.
Beneath the surface, an underground network of individuals operates what appears to be an
escort trade, though they cleverly label it “networking” and “bar hosting.” These operators
manage their roster of girls with the precision of a stockbroker.

Imagine sending a DM: “Hey bro, got any stock?” The response comes with a list, ten names.
Influencers. Models. TikTok sensations boasting followings exceeding 200K. Pick one, and you
might hear, “Oh, that one was with Timo Muwanga in Dubai last week. Interested, or should I
send another?”

These are the bitter facts of a growing underground scene.