Parliament stops Nyege Nyege Festival over sexual immorality
ANITA AMONG: “We are talking about the morality of this country; we are talking about our children. You are trying to promote tourism at the expense of our children? We are not going to allow this function to take part,”
Parliament has Tuesday stopped the upcoming Nyege Nyege Festival that was to take place between the 15th to 18th of September at Itanda Falls in Jinja City.
Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi speaking during Tuesday’s plenary said the event is a breeding ground for sexual immorality. She said the event is going to bring all things ‘that are non-African in our communities.’
“When you go to the site, you will see young men holding hands; what are they promoting – that it is ok to come with a male partner to Nyege Nyege? That is their message,” Opendi said before demanding a response from the Prime Minister.
The 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Lukia Isanga Nakadama who was in the house referred the matter to the State Minister for Ethics and Integrity Rose Akello.
In reference, Akello said the directorate of ethics and police had considered the matter and held meetings with the organizers of the event called Talent Africa and Nile Breweries the sponsors.
“We had given them conditions and told them that if you follow those conditions then you can go ahead with the event but if you don’t, then the event won’t happen,” she said without detailing the conditions they had given the organizers of Nyege Nyege, a lifestyle of music and partying.
Efforts by the Minister of State for Tourism Hon Martin Mugarra to defend the event as a hub of tourism met resistance from the House. Mugarra said over 8,000 foreign tourists have already booked tickets for the event.
The house speaker Anita Among was also against the event saying: “We are talking about the morality of this country; we are talking about our children. You are trying to promote tourism at the expense of our children? We are not going to allow this function to take part,”
