Uganda has officially banned the popular funeral celebration practice known as “disco matanga,” citing issues of sexual abuse.
The events, which translate to “funeral disco” in Swahili, involve all-night gatherings where men pay young women to dance. These events are meant to raise money for burial expenses but have drawn criticism for leading to sexual exploitation.
According to cabinet minister Justine Kasule Lumumba, the government has put an end to the practice. “Matanga disco is an evil dance. We have stopped it, and those found holding it will face the full force of the law,” Lumumba told AFP.
The minister highlighted that young girls are forced to perform in revealing outfits, dancing seductively to attract male contributors.
She emphasized that these performances, taking place at night, often lead to sexual abuse of the girls involved.
The origin of “disco matanga” is traced to neighboring Kenya, but the practice has since spread to Uganda’s eastern border districts. Kenya previously cracked down on these events in 2018.
Suleiman Walugembe Juuko, an official from Uganda’s Namayingo district, reported that the discos often involve heavy alcohol consumption, drug use, and incidents of violence.
“We have recorded two fatalities related to Matanga discos — one involving a young girl who was gang-raped and another of a boy killed in an attack while returning from the disco,” Juuko told AFP.
Authorities in Uganda are now enforcing the ban to prevent further exploitation and violence associated with the practice.
