LUWERO – A whistleblower has petitioned the Pornography Control Committee (PCC), accusing three-night clubs in Luweero District of violating rights of children by asking them to perform in nude dance shows commonly known as kimansulo.
According to the whistleblower, Digito Pub, Executive Pub and Big-Up Pub, all located in Luweero Town Council, pick girls from rural areas and train them in strip dancing.
Ms Hafisa Kabaganja Abbooki, a member of the PCC, confirmed receipt of the petition.
“They reportedly use the underage children to stage the nude shows. Section 14 of the Anti- Pornography Act 2014 criminalises persons who produce, participate in the production, trafficking, publishings, broadcasting and procuring material depicting images of children. For Luweero, while we got evidence about the acts of our action after consultation with the District leaders are directed at ensuring that the population is sensitised. We opted to have the population sensitized before the strong arm of the law takes its course,” Kabanja said.
Ms Phoebe Namulindwa, the Luweero Resident District Commissioner, described the action as criminal.
“It is true that we have since investigated the cases after a whistleblower approached PCC expressing the concern. We have resolved to sensitise operators of the night clubs about the Anti-Pornography Act 2014 because many of these people could be unaware of the law. The involvement of young girls is criminal. We are trying to see how we can apprehend anybody found violating rights of children,” Ms Namulindwa said at the weekend.
Savannah Regional Police Commander, Mr Bosco Otim said the planned sensitisation by PCC members had cut short their operation where they hoped to apprehend suspects in the alleged violation of child rights and the pornography act.
“We have now decided to give them time to reform as we monitor the different programmes at the mentioned night clubs in Luweero and the other urban areas,” he said
But Mr John Ssegujja, the proprietor Digito Pub, dismissed reports that his bar stages striptease shows featuring young girls.
“Whoever says that simply wants to tarnish the name of my business, I am also a parent, I cannot do that,” he said.
