Parliament disagrees with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja over Nyege Nyege Festival
She said the Prime Minister's action was not in good spirit, especially in a situation where the country has two institutions that are concerned on the issues to do with culture, religion, and morality of the country vis-à-vis its economy.
By Fahim Muyingo
Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja are set to meet on Thursday 8th September 2022 to reach a consensus on the fate of the upcoming Nyege Nyege festival in Jinja.
On Tuesday, presiding over the plenary, Among stopped the festival over claims that promote sexual immorality like homosexuality but in a meeting with the organisers of the festival Wednesday morning, Nabbanja green the social event the green light.
Nabbanja’s decision irked some MPs who said the Prime Minister’s decision was disrespectful to parliament. Therefore, MPs want a position reached between the two offices of government.
Contrary to what the prime minister had said, Justine Kasule Lumumba, the Minister in charge of General Duties in the office of the Prime Minister apologized to parliament on behalf of the executive for giving the green light on the festival before harmonizing with the house.
She said the Prime Minister’s action was not in good spirit, especially in a situation where the country has two institutions that are concerned on the issues to do with culture, religion, and morality of the country vis-à-vis its economy.
While delivering a procedural issue, the Tororo district woman MP Sarah Opendi asked whether the government can test for monkeypox which is rampant in Europe and yet the minister of tourism expects 8000 foreigners to come for the festival.
She also inquired whether the government considered the health aspect ahead of the Nyege Nyege Festival with monkeypox becoming a major concern across the globe.
However, the Speaker of parliament Anita Annet Among said that she is not about to withdraw her statement, explaining that there is no confusion in parliament and the legislature is at peace.
The organizers of the festival announced over 300 performers spread over seven stages at Itanda Falls, Jinja city located on the shores of the River Nile.
The idea that the festival promotes homosexuality has been highlighted against Nyege Nyege before and led to a short-lived cancellation of the event in 2019.
