By Spy Uganda
Kampala-The controversy surrounding artist and social media personality Chozen Beky (Rebecca Kukiriza) has escalated after she failed to honour ministerial summons issued by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development over allegations of involving children in adult disputes and controversial publicity.
The summons, dated 17th December 2025, required social media excited Beky to appear before a committee at the ministry on Tuesday 23rd December 2025 to explain allegations that children were used to carry placards with messages targeting adults during a private wedding ceremony. The ministry said the matter raises serious child protection, privacy, and dignity concerns under Ugandan law.
No Show Before Minister Balaam’s Team
On Tuesday, Beky did not appear before the committee chaired under the guidance of State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, despite being reportedly served physically and through her known WhatsApp contact.
Minister Balaam, who is currently engaged in President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign activities, had assembled a technical team led by Assistant Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs, Mr. Toreya Franco, alongside Mr. Ntawo Kibirango, the Head of Child Protection, and other senior officials.
According to officials, attempts to reach Beky by phone on the morning of the meeting were unsuccessful. Her phone reportedly rang but was not answered, before later being switched off.
Asst. Commissioner Ntawo told journalists that Beky was duly served with the summons both physically and via her active WhatsApp number. Officials said this same contact was publicly advertised on Beky’s Facebook page earlier on Tuesday morning, where a post promoting Christmas season show bookings for her read: “For bookings for all your functions, call this number.”
The ministry said her facebook post further confirmed that the contact details used to serve the summons were valid and active.
Final Warning Issued
Assistant Commissioner Toreya Franco revealed that he acted on express guidance from his line minister, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, to grant Beky a second and final opportunity to appear before the committee. “She will be written to again and the meeting rescheduled for next week. If she fails to turn up, the minister will have no option but to involve the police to have her brought to book,” Franco said.
Minister Balaam warned that failure to honour the second summons could lead to police action, including arrest, to enforce compliance with the lawful summons.
Background Of The Saga
The matter dates back to last week, when widely circulated images and videos on social media showed her children allegedly being used in messages linked to adult marital disputes. The Ministry of Gender stated in its letter that such actions may contravene The Children Act, Cap. 59, and the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, which safeguard children from emotional harm, exploitation, and harmful publicity.
Beky was expected to explain why children were allegedly drawn into private marital conflicts and exposed to public and online controversy. Her absence, officials say, has only heightened concern.
Complainants Cite Cultural And Child Rights Concerns
The complainants, Pan African Pyramid, were represented by their Founding Speaker and Chairman, Andrew Irumba Katusabe, who also serves as President of the Independent Online Journalists Association (INDOJA-U) and is an investigative journalist with TheSpy Uganda and Detective-UG. He was accompanied by fellow members of the organization.
Katusabe said the organization’s interest in the matter goes beyond the individual case.
“Our concern is to restore African cultures, norms, and traditions where the African child was a community child, protected by all, and where a child’s right to privacy was paramount. Today, children are being exposed to adult information and conflicts, sometimes even by their own parents,” he said.
What Next?
The ministry is expected to issue fresh summons rescheduling the hearing for next week. Officials insist the matter remains administrative and protective in nature, aimed at safeguarding children’s rights and welfare.
Should Beky fail to appear again, the minister has indicated that law enforcement will be engaged to ensure compliance with the summons and the law.
