What in the World It’s prom night in Uganda baby!
May 30, 2025
Gloria Achieng, a BBC reporter based in Kenya, explores the dazzling prom culture in Uganda, where students arrive in lavish style, sometimes even by helicopter. She discusses the government's new restrictions aimed at curbing extravagance due to financial pressures on families and the backlash from students caught between tradition and regulations. The conversation dives into the divide between affluent and less fortunate students, revealing personal stories that highlight the cultural significance of prom as a rite of passage, and the debate on personal expression versus socio-economic equality.
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Extravagant Ugandan Proms
- Proms in Uganda feature months of preparation and elaborate arrivals in luxury cars or helicopters.
- Students and couples walk red carpets and perform multiple outfit changes throughout the night.
Proms Pressure Families
- Extravagant proms increase social and financial pressure on students and parents in Uganda.
- Some parents consider moving children to less expensive schools to avoid this.
Government Prom Restrictions
- Ugandan government banned extravagant prom spending, indecent dressing, romantic behavior, and set a 6PM curfew for school parties.
- The aim is to curb moral indiscipline and financial pressure from these lavish events.