GULU – Ethics and Integrity Minister Fr Simon Lokodo has said he was pressured by his bosses and foreigners to let the MTN Nyege Nyege festival take place.
Lokodo said he was told the festival would promote tourism.
The minister had earlier called off the festival on suspicion of the event being turned into an orgy.
Speaking to leaders in Gulu town on Thursday September 6, Fr Lokodo said he was in a difficult situation and he decided to let the Nyege Nyege festival happen.
The minister described the festival as a weapon fashioned to initiate Ugandans into homosexuality. “Upon my investigation this festival is unfortunately an instrument being used by the Western world to introduce to us a culture, behaviour and attitude that is completely foreign to our laws, cultures, customs and religions”
“Lesbianism Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersexual -LGBTI activities are very unconceivable and I tried my best to block it but I had to back-off because of pressure from all sides including my elders and older bosses and I had to concede defeat.” he added
MTN Nyege Nyege music festival started yesterday and will end on the September 9 at Nile Discovery Beach on the banks of River Nile in Jinja. The music festival is seen to be one of the biggest of all bringing together several musicians, artistes, cultural dance troupes across Africa with participants coming from South Africa, Tanzania and revellers from all over the world.
However, Fr Lokodo insisted that much as his mandatory decision to protect values, behaviours and custom cultures in Uganda was quashed, his message was successfully sent to create awareness among the public.
“I’m comfortable that my message has gone through to the people. If there is anything [that one must not] forfeit in life is identity and dignity but it is so unfortunate that we are losing them because of modernity,” Fr Lokodo said.
