BUIKWE – Police in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, have deployed all their rank and file ahead of the four-day Nyege Nyege festival that starts today, Thursday, September 6.
The festival is taking place at the Nile Discovery Beach in Buikwe district and on Thursday, heavily armed police officers were seen patrolling all major roads that lead to the venue.
The area police leadership was not immediately available to explain the deployment. However, police officers could be seen directing different revelers and their vehicles to parking lots designated by the Njeru municipal authorities. According to municipality officials, they have gazzeted the municipality grounds for parking and the fees will vary from Shs10,000 to Shs50,000 depending on the car.
In the past, residents of Lower Nava Village in the municipality have always turned their compounds into parking yards for the four days the festival takes place.
On Wednesday, State Minister for Ethics, Fr Simon Lokodo said festivals participants are barred from engaging in any sexual activity, violence, and drug abuse.
“I do not expect people to attend the festival in attires that leave their breasts or bums out. Women should also not wear bikinis during the day,” Fr Lokodo said in an interview with State-owned New Vision newspaper, adding that indecency and nudity are totally prohibited.
The minister explained that government, on the advice of President Yoweri Museveni, directed that certain conditions be given to the event organisers prior to the festival.
This, he said was agreed upon during a meeting that took place on Tuesday amongst officials from the Internal Affairs Ministry, Gender Ministry, the Department of Ethics and Integrity, Police, UPDF and CMI.
“Open sex or any sexual activity which has been the practice of nyege nyege shall not be allowed. The police and army, both in uniform and civilian attire will be given free access to the venue and if they catch anyone engaging in any king of immorality, he or she shall be arraigned in the courts of law,” Fr Lokodo explained.
He also warned participants against driving under the influence of alcohol.