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A section of Members of Parliament has expressed concern over what they described as ‘excessive nudity’ that was displayed during the just concluded musical battle between singers Cindy Sanyu and Sheebah Karungi at Kololo Airstrip on Friday, September 15, 2023.
The legislators have described the musicians’ dress code as ungodly and un-African, further asking the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance to interest itself in the matter.
Members of Parliament have raised alarm over what they have described as excessive nudity that was displayed during the music performance of two female performers, Sheeba Karungi and Cinderella Sanyu.
Commenting on the concert on Monday, Bufumbira East Member of Parliament, Hon.Dr. Nsaba Buturo said many musicians are investing in nudity instead of contributing positively to the protection and promotion of Uganda’s values before condemning Sheebah and Cindy’s dress codes.
“Our artists should promote our side of life, our artists should be champions of what is good in our society. Our artists should be the fountain of honour when it comes to defending interests of this nation but the types we have don’t measure at all. You are coming on stage dressed in totally un-African way and you think that is right and our people are being misled. So, we want to appeal to our artists, that the God-given gift they have, should be used to promote interests of this nation,” Buturo told fellow MPs on Monday.
Nsaba Buturo argued that the current generation often equates nudity with modern civilization, leading to a collapse in moral values. Onen emphasized that artists’ bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and urged against investing in nudity. He also praised artists who use their platform to address societal issues responsibly.
The stage dress code was criticized by MPs led by Charles Onen of Gulu East, who termed it as being ungodly and un-African.
“In my religion, only Blessed Sacrament is supposed to be exposed, but today, we see young ladies dress themselves half naked, the breasts are outside and their knickers are out,” Onen said.
“Men put on damage clothes, they don’t know they are damaging their reputation, damaging their names and future generation,” he added.
He noted that, Ugandan artists are drug addicts, saying that substance abuse has hampered them from exploring their role as teachers, philosophers and visionaries.
“I wonder why they don’t emulate artists from Singapore, South Africa and DRC, that used their music industry to develop national identity and integrity,” Onen noted.
Peggy Wako, the National Female Elderly Representative asked artists to carry themselves with grace other than disgrace, arguing that music is a form of employment for the young generation and also acts as recreation for people to relax.
“These are people who should be performing for the public. They are public figures, so they should mind the way they present themselves in the way they dress up. Let them be graceful but not disgraceful,” Wako said.
The concert in question happened on September 15, 2023, at Kololo Independence Grounds which saw various characters on stage dressed to perform for fans and viewers, something that didn’t sit well with the MPs.
They expressed concern about political figures, like Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, attending the concert and the viral video of Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, raising questions about endorsements of such behavior.
Commenting on the concert on Monday, Bufumbira East Member of Parliament, Mr. Nsaba Buturo said many musicians are investing in nudity instead of contributing positively to the protection and promotion of Uganda’s values before condemning Sheebah and Cindy’s dress codes.
“Our artists should promote our side of life, our artists should be champions of what is good in our society. Our artists should be the fountain of honour when it comes to defending interests of this nation but the types we have don’t measure at all. You are coming on stage dressed in totally un-African way and you think that is right and our people are being misled. So, we want to appeal to our artists, that the God-given gift they have, should be used to promote interests of this nation,” Buturo told fellow MPs on Monday.
Gulu East MP, Charles Onen also expressed concern over the trendy dress code of Ugandan youths.
“In my religion, only one thing that is exposed, that is the blessed sacrament. But today, we see young ladies, dress themselves half naked, the breasts are outside pointing like the lord be with you. Their knickers are outside, equally with men, they call it damage they are damaging their reputation, damaging their names and future generation. Only one thing should be exposed, the blessed sacrament, but not the breasts,” said Onen.
On her part, Peggy Wako, the National Female Elderly Representative asked artists to respect their bodies while entertaining fans.
Thousands of music fans thronged the Kololo Airstrip to attend the concert after several weeks of anticipation. The revelers stormed the venue in various fashion styles that lawmakers have since criticised.