The Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said that men should not step into the kitchen to cook.
According to him it was not the role of men who he calls heads of the home to go into the kitchen to cook.
President Museveni says since marrying his wife over four decades ago, he hasn’t stepped into the kitchen.
“The head of the home never goes into the kitchen. It is now 45 years with Mama Janet, I have never stepped into the kitchen. That is how it should be” he said.
Museveni made these comments in a statement on Sunday. He was hoping to encourage politicians and civil servants to stick to their prescribed roles.
Many African societies including those in Uganda have a culture that says kitchens are for women. Such cultures discourage men from stepping into the kitchen to cook especially when they are married.
There have been reactions to Museveni’s comments on social media. Oxfam’s International Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima calls the comments as disappointing.
Im disappointed by this statement from @KagutaMuseveni cooking isn’t a woman’s job. It’s a life skill. All people- men & women shd cook. When cooking, cleaning & other domestic chores are left 2 women, they are denied an equal chance to raise incomes or 2 be politically active. https://t.co/mcSWxU6S7X
— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) November 4, 2018
Very disappointing to see President Museveni reinforcing dangerous gender stereotypes that have no place in today’s society. Ugandan women work daily in the private & public space to build a better society. This is work that should be acknowledged and valued.
— Agnes Odhiambo (@AgnesOdhiambo) November 5, 2018
Uganda Pres for Life Museveni lays down law for men cooking: “The head of the home never goes into the kitchen. I have never stepped into the kitchen. That is how it should be.” Actually, men cooking shows respect/partnership in marriage; has been shown to boost men’s creativity. pic.twitter.com/eeXzSnKyzS
— James Hall (@hallaboutafrica) November 6, 2018
???? See the logic of fossils in Govt in 2018. So we must starve because #Museveni says we must not cook??? https://t.co/QtxBLSsCIc
— Makopo (@MakopoK) November 6, 2018
He banna, so what happens when we go camping? This guy!!! So we just eat French loaves, garlic bread and braaiwors, noo man Museveni, a ke o iketle tu
— Kedibone Moagi (@Moagi_KR) November 6, 2018
Watu waache Museveni, he is right! @OgalliEmmanuel @MMberia1 https://t.co/uALy1CGRZn
— Geoffrey Tom (@GeoffreyTom7) November 6, 2018
Source: Africafeeds.com
