Ministry of Ethics and Integrity has called for a government joint effort in regulating the annual Nyege Nyege festival in Jinja, which officials warn is a breeding ground for moral decadence.
Officials from the ministry made the call on Wednesday while appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament.
Alex Okello, the ministry Permanent Secretary (PS), said whatever has happened at the annual fete so far, the ministry cannot be held responsible.
“I want to assure the house that the ministry has nothing to do with the organization, performance or whatever of Nyege Nyege. But we have been concerned with what happens there” Okello said.
On the eve of this year’s festival, the state minister for ethics, Fr Simon Lokodo issued regulations to follow, key among them prohibition of sexual activity. However, a couple of videos and photos that went viral purported to be from the fiesta, depicted sexual activity.
Nyege Nyege was momentarily banned in 2018 by the state minister for ethics, Fr Simon Lokodo but was later allowed to go on under the ministry’s keen watch.
“The moral decadence of this country is at the border of hell,” Mbarara Municipality MP Michael Tusiime said.
He decried the permissiveness among young people today who have surpassed that kind of control.
“This issue of Nyege Nyege is a consequence of a certain group almost beyond control. You have heard people abuse the president. It is unbecoming,” Tusiime said.
MPs said they were waiting to act on any proposition the ministry would bring to them for endorsement and financial backing.
“The ministry should be innovative. The problem is enormous. You should come up with something creative if you are going to be supported financially. Nobody will fail to support you,” said Okin PP Ojara, Chua county West MP.
“The ministry should put it in black and white, highlighting issues that cause moral decay,” said Pentagon Kamusiime, Butemba County MP.
Kamusiime asked for the ethics ministry to widen scrutiny and regulation to pastors and the kind of gospel they spread.
