The much taunted annual arts and music festival dubbed Nyege Nyege festival that was meant to happen in Jinja this weekend might not happen.
The festival that has for the last three years been a popular must-attend for most of Uganda’s socialites but attraction from very many international music lovers hangs in balance after Ethics Minister Father Simon Lokodo wrote to the Minister of Internal Affairs General Jeje Odongo seeking to stop the event.
In his letter, Lokodo says the nature of the event has attracted the attention gay movements that want to use the festival to recruit young people into homosexuality and, and LGBT movement.
Lokodo said as much the anti sexuality law was challenged in the courts of law, the practice of deviant sexual behaviors have never been condoned in this country. “ As such, it is our responsibility as government to protect the citizens against such vices” read Lokodos’ letter.
The Nyege Nyege festival had come under heavy attack from a section of religious groups who believed the festival was meant to “invoke all kinds of evil spirits meant to initiate Uganda into gay and other evil practices”
Efforts to reach Val Oketcho, MTN’s public relations coordinator were futile as repeated calls to his number went unanswered.
Critics have however criticised Lokodo’s move saying the festival was one of the biggest tourist attraction activities and that its stoppage would have negative consequences for the country.
