Mengo Bars Minis, Trousers

Baganda traditionalists at Mengo have resolved to stop any female in trousers and mini dresses from entering the Lubiri Palace, reports Josephine Maseruka. Their leader, Ssalongo A.K. Mulindwa Kizza, on Thursday complained to Jolly Lutaaya, the Mengo minister in-charge of palaces, that many female guests disregard the traditional norms on royal palaces. Mulindwa said women often enter the palace in skin-tights, trousers and mini-dresses, which he said is disrespectful to the Kabaka. “We are not going to tolerate this anymore. From today, we shall chase them out of the palace,” Mulindwa said amid applause from over 150 people who attended the Thursday meeting at the Bulange board room. Lutaaya called the meeting for the over 200 people who work or reside in Mengo after a prolonged mis-understanding between them and the former in-charge of the palace, Gyaviira Ssentamu. Ssentamu was on August 17, 200 relieved of his duties by Katikkiro Joseph Ssemwogerere and was replaced by Nelson Kitoogo, sparking off a controversy between his resident supporters and those of Kitoogo. The meeting was attended by J.B. Bugembe, the under-secretary, Joseph Kisuule, the permanent secretary, Goalith Mpanga, the in-charge of security in Bulange and Mengo Palace, and Kitoogo. But Lutaaya said it would be problematic to send away female visitors who travel long distances to the palace for some urgent issues. He advised the traditionalists to sensitise the people on norms and code of dressing in the palaces through radio programmes. Ends