KAMPALA, UGANDA: Parliament and the executive have yet again failed to harmonise their positions on the Nyege Nyege festival scheduled for September 15 at Itanda falls in Jinja.
In the meeting held yesterday (Thursday), parliament was led the speaker Anita Among while the executive was led by the minister of General Duties, Justine Kasule Lumumba.
This week on Tuesday parliament ordered the cancellation of the festival on grounds that it was promoting immorality among Ugandans.
However, the Prime minister Robinah Nabbanja on Wednesday sanctioned the festival, arguing that a lot of money had already been injected in pre-event preparations and very many tickets sold already to both foreign and local revellers.
In her communication to the House, Among insisted that the position of parliament requiring the cancellation of the festival still stands and that it is now the responsibility of the executive to work upon the recommendation.
“This afternoon we had a meeting with a team from the executive, of course the team and the meeting was not meant to persuade us to get out of our position. We’re still on our position as legislature, we’re still there but what is to be done is the role of the executive. For us we have given our position…and we’re not in for whatever happens there,” said Among.
The continued standoff between the two arms of government as communicated by Among did not go well with a section of MPs who accused the government of undermining the directives of the House.
Busia Municipality MP Geoffrey Macho said that they must fight for the integrity of parliament and its independence. In response, ICT Minister Hon. Chris Baryomunsi said that government believes in consultation and harmonizing positions.
“Indeed like the right honourable speaker has said, we had a meeting today under her chairpersonship and really the major concern being raised by parliament is the issue to do with morality, definitely, all of us agree that nobody wants their child or Ugandan to be engaged in immoral activities,” said Baryomunsi.
He added that they had agreed on the need for strong regulations and that this being a function of the executive, they are going to continue with the consultations and handle the matter.
Before Baryomunsi could finish his submission, Sarah Opendi, the Tororo Woman MP moved a motion that going forward, the festival should be banned in the country.
“Government looks determined to have this Nyege Nyege festival, we cannot fight with the executive. In the spirit of harmony, let’s allow government to do its part, for us we have made our stand. Rt. Hon. speaker, the motion I want to move is that, moving forward because the excuse being given is that it is just a week to. The other year when father [Simon] Lokodo was fighting, it was one day to. So can we ban Nyege Nyege from taking place in this country honourable speaker? This is the motion I want to move. We have other means of promoting tourism as a country Rt. Hon. speaker. We have just had the Karamoja Cultural festival, we have had the Bugisu Cultural festival and we have not had controversies. The controversies are coming out because of what has been taking place at this festival,” said Opendi.
Among, wondered whether it was in the mandate of parliament to ban the festival or if they can legislate and put in place stringent measures to have something better.
“What we need first to find out is it within our mandate as legislature to ban it? Or can we legislate to put stringent measures that can make us have a better Nyege Nyege this time? Have something better than Nyege Nyege.”
Asuman Basalirwa, the Bugiri Municipality said that Opendi’s motion was in good spirit but asked parliament to allow minister Baryomunsi to explain the government’s position on festivals like Nyege Nyege.
“It is important to know the position of the government, as executive, are they pro-Nyege Nyege or festivals of that nature or they are not pro them? We need to understand it and let them put it on the table,” said Basalirwa.
He added that parliament can then make a recommendation on banning festivals like Nyege Nyege after knowing the position of the government and then the executive takes up the responsibility. Minister Baryomunsi said that the position of the NRM government was for Ugandans to enjoy their country, provided they are not breaking the law or in breach of the country’s customs and cultures.
Among concluded the debate on the matter warning that nobody will overrun the House, as long as she is still speaker.
“If you think you’re going to overrun parliament of Uganda, you will not do it,” Among emphasized. “I am elected by 415 Members of Parliament. The decision of this parliament on Nyege Nyege stands. The executive should do its part…for us we made a pronouncement.”
Among also claimed that there are plans to assassinate her but warned that she had been “put in the chair of speaker by God.”
Nyege Nyege festival was first held in 2013.
In 2018, former minister of Ethics and Integrity, Fr Simon Lokodo suggested its cancellation, saying that the event may compromise national integrity and put Ugandan citizens at risk of deviant sexual behaviour.
But the government later cleared the festival following a meeting between the organizers and government officials led by the former Internal Affairs minister Maj Gen Jeje Odong. The festival attracted 300 artists from 30 countries who entertained revellers.
Promoters of the festival argued that it was aimed at developing the culture and music industry in Uganda by creating platforms for upcoming artists.
The festival serves as an incubator with an arts residency and community studios, where new productions are showcased and the artists are highlighted for both audiences and musicians.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
