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The controversial disco matanga Bill 2023, which pits politicians against the electorate and looks to reduce teenage pregnancies in Busia, has been tabled in the district council.

Dubbed the Child and Family Protection Bill, the disco matanga (a funeral party or funeral disco) is the most overlooked and cherished bill the district council has ever handled in 27 years of its existence.

Disco matanga is a night dance funeral used to fundraise for mainly not well-to-do bereaved families as a way of meeting burial expenses. The tradition had been greatly embraced by districts in neighbouring Kenya.

All sorts of people including pupils and students escape from their homes to go and engage in disco matanga where immoral acts including rape and underage sex reportedly happen. The vice has since been abolished in Kenya where it originated from.

The Bill was tabled on Thursday, February 15, 2024, in Chango Machyo Hall at the district headquarters by Christine Nasisamba, the district vice chairperson, who is also the leader of government business in the council. The presentation lasted for less than ten minutes.

Being at first mention, speaker Charles Malowa Kudedi directed the social services committee to scrutinise the Bill. Presenting the Bill, Nasisamba said: Section 38 cap 243 empowers the district council to make laws not inconsistent with the Constitution and other laws made by Parliament.

Teenage pregnancies

The district, she said is challenged with high rates of teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and gender-based violence due to mainly disco matanga. Nasisamba hopes that the bill, once put in place, will mitigate the situation.

Disco matanga she noted poses a big change to the future generation as it exposes children to sexual violence and exploitation.

She said the district executive committee conducted meetings with numerous stakeholders in addition to holding community meetings during which the need to regulate disco matanga was raised.

Earlier on, Kudedi said the Bill should be handled expeditiously due to the negative impact disco matanga has created in society. Malowa said the Bill will be introduced for a future ordinance.

Felix Majeme, the area chief administrative officer, said the motion was read and seconded and promised to give technical and legal support to the committee doing consultations, so as to legislate within the provisions of the law.

Action for Health Uganda supported Busia in enacting the Bill. The district was also supported by Women with a Vision during community sensitisations.

Meet burial expenses first

Outside council, Bulumbi sub-county councilor Stephen Mayende said he would only support the Bill if the district promised to meet all burial expenses for the people of Bulumbi.

“I have asked the chief administrative officer if he has that budget and he said 'no'. So, I am not going to support that Bill,” he said.

Susan Akinyi, the Lunyo and Busiime sub-counties woman councillor, said the council should have passed the bill two years ago noting they cannot just sit and watch children’s future being messed up.

People in the galary that poke to the New Vision Online said disco matanga had both positive and negative sides while others it should be banned or left to continue. Both sides promised to deal with councillors who frustrate or support the Bill come 2026 when the general election will take place.