NYEGE NYEGE FESTIVAL: Parliament maintains stance on ban; refers the matter to Museveni for final decisio
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi asked Parliament to grant the Executive more time to consult stakeholders about the Nyege Nyege Festival.
The Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has told Members of Parliament(MPs) that she held a meeting with a team from the Executive over the matter of Nyege Nyege Festival and that the house’s position to stop the festival from happening will not change.
“Therefore, as Parliament, we must be firm on this matter and say no to Nyege Nyege Festival because it is a culture bringing decay to this country,” the Speaker said, adding that whatever happens, the Executive (the president and cabinet ministers) will have the final say.
The Busia Municipality MP Macho Geoffrey has said that there is a need to fight for the integrity of Parliament to be independent. “If Parliament pronounces itself on a matter, its position must be respected by the Executive,” he said during the Thursday sitting.
“If the Executive sees Nyege Nyege as a good thing, let the ministers first clear their sons and daughters to go nyege nyege before they say it is okay for other people’s sons and daughters to go for the event,” he added.
“As Parliament, we need to be strict on this matter and put our foot down and say no to Nyege Nyege Festival because it is a culture that is bringing moral decay to our country,” he further argued.
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi asked Parliament to grant the Executive more time to consult stakeholders about the Nyege Nyege Festival.
He has also confirmed that the Executive is handling the matter and will ensure that there is thorough regulation of the event.
Nyege Nyege Festival which is scheduled to take place at Itanda Falls in Jinja City next week was stopped by Parliament on Tuesday but the Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja gave it the green light after meeting the organizers on Wednesday.
The decision by Nabbanja irked MPs who asked not to disrespect Parliament decisions; in fact Justine Kasule Lumba, the Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister apologized while she was representing her boss for the oversight.
