The Executive has overruled Parliament and insisted that Ugandans are free to enjoy their own country at the upcoming Nyege Nyege festival, despite MPs lamenting about ‘immorality’ at the event.
Government’s position was communicated by Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of Information, Communications and Technology and National Guidance during the plenary sitting where lawmakers ganged up against Government, for okaying the controversial festival despite Parliament calling for the ban of the event.
He said, “Ugandans should enjoy their country provided they aren’t breaking the law, or provided they aren’t in breach of our customs, culture. Ugandans should have enjoyment of their freedoms and rights but within the law, that is why you have been seeing assemblies, carnivals and all these functions where people gather.”
The Minister’s remarks were in response to the communication by Speaker Among who revelaed that there was a meeting held with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, saying that the meeting wasn’t meant to persuade Parliament to shift its position on banning Nyege Nyege, saying the position still stands and the executive should do their role of upholding the morals and cultures in Uganda.
To take further swipe at her haters, the speaker even said she is shamed at mentioning the name of nyege Nyege, despite pronouncing the similar word for the two consecutive days the matter has been in Parliament, remarking, “Some of us are even shamed of mentioning the name, on that one that is happening outside there.”
Minister Baryomunsi in his response revealed that Government is making regulations on how Nyege Nyege can be conducted, “And we did agree that there is need for strong regulation and it is the function of the Executive. So we agree that we give us more time, we are working on regulations.”
However, Sarah Opendi (DWR Tororo) fired back at the Minister that it is government’s responsibility to promote Uganda’s culture, values and morals, and efforts to ban Nyege Nyege has been futile, yet Government seems determined to have this festival go on.
“We can’t have people drinking all day or night as if they don’t have what to do. Government seems determined to have this Nyege nyege festival, we can’t fight with Executive, let us allow Government to do its part, for us we have made our stand,” said Opendi.
Opendi added that there is need for Government to stop making excuses of time noting, “The excuse being given is that it is just a week away, so can we ban Nyege nyege from taking place in this country. We have other means of promoting tourism, we have karamoja, bugishu because of what has been taking. Let us ban this festival from taking place in Uganda.”
Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality) tasked Government to reveal its position on festivals in Uganda pointing out that whereas there are some artists allowed to hold music concerts in Uganda, the likes of former Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi hasn’t been allowed to hold concerts in years.
“What is Government’s position on festivals of that nature, can we know them so that tomorrow if somebody wants to do that, how do they do it? I am aware for example that there are some musicians in this country each time they want to hold shows the rules change, particularly Bobi Wine, he can’t hold shows. So what is government position on festivals and what is the position and can they be tabled here in the open,” asked Basalirwa.
Speaker Among didn’t fall short of making threats warning, “Nobody will ever run this house so long as I am in this house, the decision of this parliament on nyege nyege stands, the executive should do its part.”
