“I Am Never Indecent” Ritah Dancehall Fires Back at UNCC Over Inappropriate Dressing Claims

Ugandan dancer Ritah Dancehall has defended herself against allegations of indecent dressing after being listed by the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) as a performer who wears inappropriate outfits.

Speaking in a media interview, Ritah expressed her disappointment with the accusations, emphasizing that they are unfair and damaging to her reputation.

“They say I am always indecently dressed, that I belong to the group of people who consistently appear indecent on stage,” Ritah said.

She appealed to Phina ‘Masanyalaze’ Mugerwa, the Vice Chairperson of the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC), stating that as a fellow woman, she would understand these matters better.

“If the UNCC board were made up solely of men, it would require a lot of explaining because men may not fully grasp these issues,” she added.

Ritah clarified that performers like herself always wear body socks under their outfits to ensure decency.

“We always wear body socks underneath our outfits before putting on any attire,” she explained.

“Most musicians, including Cindy, Sheebah, and Vinka, use them as well. This means we are never naked or indecent.”

She expressed concern over the impact of such accusations on her career.

“Claiming that I am always indecently dressed is a serious accusation, especially when made online, as it can tarnish my reputation permanently,” Ritah said.

“Such statements can cost me gigs, particularly international ones, because they associate my name with indecency,” she added.

Ritah questioned the fairness of the Uganda National Cultural Centre’s scrutiny, pointing out inconsistencies in how performers are judged.

“Before banning and scrutinizing musicians like Gravity Omutujju and Lil Pazo for vulgarity, why have they ignored individuals like Full Figure?” she asked.

She added, “If we are addressing people ruining the country through vulgarity, Full Figure should have been the primary target, given her track record. Is she too big to be held accountable?”

On her choice of performance outfits, Ritah said, “I primarily perform in bars, and my outfits reflect the setting. I cannot perform in a bar wearing long, oversized attire.”

She emphasized her professionalism, saying, “I know how to dress appropriately for different audiences and events. I understand how to present myself when performing in schools or at formal events. You can verify this with people who have hired my services, such as Mesach, Haruna, Catherine Kusasira, or Sheebah.”

Ritah also defended her personal style, stating, “In my day-to-day life, I do not wear revealing outfits. I am usually dressed in baggy clothes, and I only wear performance-specific attire during shows.”

She urged people to stop tarnishing her name.

“I want Ugandans to know that I am never indecently dressed and never will be. People should stop tarnishing my reputation because their actions hurt not just me but also the many people who rely on my work,” Ritah said.

On addressing indecency, Ritah suggested that attention should focus on more serious offenders.

“If the goal is to address indecency, then focus on those who release nude content. Personally, I have never been involved in any form of nudity,” she stated.

Ritah concluded by reflecting on the challenges of her profession.

“Dancing in Uganda is undervalued, so for me to reach where I am today, I have had to work extremely hard. People should not try to ruin my name without cause,” she said.

UNCC’s list of indecent performers also includes singers Gloria Bugie and Shakira Shakiraa, sparking discussions about standards of decency in the entertainment industry.