The long-awaited and much-anticipated Nyege Nyege music and humanities competition last kicked off yesterday amides pomp and valor after an extended protracted battle to carry or to not maintain the now fashionable competition.
Final week, there was a standoff between Legislature and moralists on one facet, and Govt and organizers of the occasion on the opposite, as this years’ version of Nyege Nyege got here beneath critical menace.
Some members of parliament led by the Speaker Anita Amongst and Tororo Lady MP Sarah Opendi had demanded that the competition be stopped on ethical grounds as it’s ‘corrupting our youngsters’ with accusations of sexual immorality, drug abuse and lawlessness fronted as the primary purpose for it to be stopped.
Nevertheless, the protagonists have been swiftly opposed by one other arm of presidency – The Govt led by Tourism Minister Martin Mugara and Dr. Chris Baryomunsi the minister of ICT and Nationwide Steerage who argued that the occasion had turn into a giant Tourism attraction that was bringing in overseas alternate and creating employment alternatives as over 8,000 vacationers from world wide had already booked tickets.
Because the arguments raged on with accusations and counter accusations, netizens joined the controversy on social media siding with the manager and organizers as they accused members of parliament for meddling in petty enterprise “as an alternative of concentrating on critical nationwide points like preventing corruption”.
The Nyege Nyege competition is resuming since 2018 after a compelled break attributable to the Covid-19 outbreak
Ultimately the controversy was closed by Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja who declared the occasion will go on as deliberate with strict pointers s to be set and adopted by authorities establishments like police in collaboration with the organizers and different stake holders.
And certainly yesterday the occasion formally kicked off with all tribes and coloration of individuals descending on the Japanese industrial Metropolis of Jinja heading to Itanda falls the official new venue f the competition.
Because the revelers preserve pouring into Jinja for the occasion, there are some class of individuals and establishments we really feel got here out as huge winners and losers following the cat fights.
THE WINNERS
Co-founder Derek Debru who was all smiles after the Nabanja declaration, was among the many 1000’s who launched a giant sigh of reduction alongside most important organizer Aly Alibhai and his Expertise Africa group. After investing a whole lot of time, cash and different sources they couldn’t merely watch their competition being cancelled final minute. Ultimately they received free publicity with ticket gross sales going off the roof.
The sponsors: Principally Uganda Breweries with their flag manufacturers Uganda Waragi and Bell Bigger after injecting lots of of thousands and thousands into the occasion couldn’t be any happier after the occasion was allowed to go on. They’re now promoting their drinks in 1000’s of liters on the competition.
Jinja Metropolis and Busoga Kingdom: The folks of Jinja Metropolis, The enterprise group and the Busoga Kingdom who’re stake holders and hosts, will profit instantly in numerous methods.
Uganda Tourism group: From the Tourism and Antiquities ministry, Tourism board, to brokers, there may be huge enterprise with the huge inflow of vacationers within the nation pouring in for a similar occasion. The nation may also be bought to the surface world as a mega tourism vacation spot.
LOSERS
Parliament: As an establishment have been labeled as jokers for squandering precious time debating petty points as an alternative of doing their work. The establishment was additionally branded as a ‘bully’ making an attempt to go judgment by making an attempt to implement a call they got here up with when they’re presupposed to solely ahead points to authorities for motion.
Speaker of Parliament: After ruling that the competition be stopped, Speaker of Parliament Anita Amongst brazenly warned that it’s going to solely occur over her lifeless physique. “No person will overrun this Parliament so long as I’m Speaker; I’m elected by 415 MPs, the choice we made on #NyegeNyegeFestival stands”. Speaker Anita Amongst stated. Effectively, as you learn this, the competition is now properly into day two. What we’re not positive of nonetheless, is the whereabouts of her lifeless physique.
The members of parliament who appeared decided to cease the occasion primarily based on private grounds and sentiments. That they had their causes however the timing seemed very suspect with just a few days to the beginning of the occasion. So for making careless utterances and declarations, they ended up on the shedding facet.
It must also be remembered that former Ethics and Integrity Minister Fr.Simon Lokodo additionally tried to cease the competition in 2028 and failed miserably.
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