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The proposed regulation to ban traditional attire like the kanzu and gomesi in Uganda’s Parliament raises serious questions about cultural identity, inclusivity and priorities in governance.
Is It Really Necessary?
Uganda, like many African nations, takes pride in its cultural diversity. The kanzu and gomesi are not just clothing; they are symbols of heritage worn by multiple tribes beyond just the Baganda. Many parliaments worldwide allow culturally appropriate dress, recognizing the importance of representation. If professionalism is the concern, why not define acceptable versions of traditional attire rather than banning them altogether?
The Motive Behind This Move
With Uganda facing pressing issues like poverty, corruption, poor healthcare, and unemployment, prioritizing a dress code change seems misplaced. One could argue that this is a distraction from more urgent national matters. If this move comes from Speaker Anita Among and is backed by President Museveni’s administration, some may see it as part of a broader political agenda rather than a genuine concern for professionalism.
Is This an Attack on African Culture?
Banning traditional wear in a predominantly African country raises fears of cultural erosion. African attire is widely accepted even in formal global settings. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya embrace their traditional dress codes in official functions, including Parliament. Why, then, should Uganda move in the opposite direction? Given the Speaker’s known political leanings, some may view this as an attack on certain cultural identities under the pretext of standardizing professionalism.
My Opinion
This move is unnecessary and misplaced. Instead of focusing on attire, Parliament should address real national concerns. If the aim is professionalism, a more inclusive dress code policy that respects Uganda’s diverse cultures should be considered. If the intention is political or personal, it could backfire by alienating communities that value these cultural symbols. Uganda’s leaders should be promoting national unity, not making divisive decisions over what MPs wear.
Dear Editor.
Am glad that there is opportunity for your audience to page their comments and discuss such issues of greate impotence.
Parliament Dress code in Uganda is surely a misguiding attack on culture identity.
It’s a pity that the Discission makers “leaders” of Uganda belong no where or can hardly tress their roots, a reason to why Uganda has lost her growly from a time when Winston Churchill identified the country as the Pearl of Africa to the present rotten dynasty of Museveni and his gods.
Uganda has lost a lot and a lot has been drained including losing billions of Money due to self centered minds who only think about themselves regardless of tomorrow.
In one of articles you mentioned Entebe international airport being taken by the Chinese investors in disguise failing to pay back and yet Sam Kutesa has been milking the facility for decades.this total fraud.
When Hon. Nebanda questioned the abrupt awarding of Uganda’s oil to Tarrow oil company, finishing her life was one measure used to divert Ugandans from the fishy-corrupt business.The family was compacted with a replacement of her sister in parliament.
Today Tomorrow and Uganda’s oil is a different story all together and Nebanda lost it all.why?? Because of self centered leadership.
Because the current Government employes the divide and rule mechanism as a tool to continuously grip on power, creation of sects and myopic thinking is another belief that supports the nature of leadership that has no sustainable ambitions to table transitional leadership. That’s why distraction of the country’s history and heritage is one item that Mr. Museveni employs to remain relevant in the eyes of those who see him as their god.
When he wanted to destroy the cultural values of Ankole, Mr.Museni abolished the kingdom ship. This has been rhetoric in other parts of the country where he has divided kingdoms by creating sub kings like in the Rwenzururu where omumbere faces it with okusinga.
Who does not remember the Kamuswaga turning against the Kabaka of Buganda.what about Kimeze of Bugerere who accepted the Kayunga saga in which the Kabaka had been abolished in his territory. Does any one remember the Bamooli group in Sembabule in Mawogola which was turning against Mutesa the Kabaka’ saza chief.The Baluri in Bulemezi are also fueling some thing in the name of kingship. A king in another kingdom!!!! All those are aimed at weakening culture and norms that bandle people together for a common goal.
Discussing cultural dress code at the floor of parliament in Uganda is like burying our heads and leaves our bums widely open in the air. It’s one way of diverting the population from the biting issues that Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu is addressing to open up minds of those who still see him as a joker.
There is nothing like a problem with cultural dress ware.its an identity that signifies one’s tradition and cultural background and affiriations.
The clarge has a dress code which depicts their faith and affiriations.
The traditional leaders and their subjects also have their linages that they lean against to perform their norms.
King Muswart the king of Swaziland who is also a president always dresses in his cultural attire.
When the whites came to Africa, they found well managed societies which had well stipulated sense of leadership although civilization was not their priority as the learned mansion. To me at that time the African societies were civilized enough because they had enough technological ideas that met their lives.
Because the whites respected culture and values of Africans, they encouraged tribes to abide with their symbols of identity. That’s why at Uganda’s independent in 1962 all kingdoms at a time were represented.
Parliament of Uganda’s main gate has Emblems of all Kingdoms & districts of Uganda at the time of Independence.
So, does the speaker or who ever sent her to begin such malicious damage ever go though the same gate?
Like Ainita among made a dubious statement “Let those Baganada not…”, it must be another spirit on the head of an individual trying to abolish cultures in Uganda starting with dress code in parliament.
Like they have killed all sectors of education, Health, Agriculture , Transport and to mention dressing and language are the only unique items that still stand to support the cultural institution which supports tourism the only sector Uganda thrives.
We must stand in unison to defend our heritage and history in order to be able to pass it over generations to generations like our ancestors.
Uganda belongs to all of us not those minute substances who feel it for themselves.
For God in my country UGANDA.
Ronald Kasirye