Nyanzi nude protest: gov't will not intervene

Apr 21, 2016

Information and national guidance minister, Jim Muhwezi, told reporters in Kampala on Thursday that Makerere University is an autonomous institution which has the capacity to handle the matter.

Government will not intervene in Makerere University professor Dr. Stella Nyanzi's nude protest saga.

Information and national guidance minister, Jim Muhwezi, told reporters in Kampala on Thursday that Makerere University is an autonomous institution which has the capacity to handle the matter.

Makerere named a team to investigate the matter and will submit report on Friday. Dr. Tanga odoi and other members of the University convocation wanted to meet Dr. Nyanzis today (Thursday) at her office but they bounced.

According to Muhwezi, "the situation doesn't amount to pornography but don't think it's a good thing for a mother and her children to see her naked."

 Minister Jim Muhwezi addressing a news conference. Photo by Miriam Namutebi

Muhwezi's opinion differs from that of his junior colleague, the ethics and integrity state minister Simon Lokodo who ordered police to apprehend Dr.  Nyanzi for stripping in public.

Dr. Nyanzi who works at Makerere Institute of Social Research stripped and shared nude pictures on social media protesting the closure of her office.

"I have thrown my clothes outside Prof. Mamdani's office. I am naked as I cry out for my office," she posted on her Facebook wall.

Lokodo however, maintained that the professor went overboard.

"Even if she was offended by anybody, she behaved indecently. I condemn it in the strongest words possible and I have directed police to arrest her. She must be brought to book," the minister told New Vision on Monday.

According to Lokodo, Dr. Nyanzi will be charged under the Anti-Pornography Act. If court finds her guilty of the offence as per Clause 3 of the Act, she will get a two-year jail sentence or a fine of 500 currency points or both.

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