Uganda's minister for ethics and integrity, Simon Lokodo, has banned a popular four-day international music and arts festival based on allegations that it is a "celebration of homosexuality".

Minister Simon Lokodo said the government had "information that open sex, noise, homosexuality, LGBTI will be part of" the Nyege Nyege festival, which is due to start on 6 September.

"This is close to devil worshiping and not acceptable."

"The very name of the festival is provocative. It means “sex, sex” or urge for sex."

He also dubbed the festival a security risk, saying "there will be nudity and sexuality done at any time of the hour".

The festival is sponsored by South African telecom company MTN and its partners include Coca Cola and the British Council.

According to BBC's Patience Atuhaire in the capital Kampala, the festival is popular among young and urban Ugandans and has been an annual event since 2015.

Last year, the country's censorship board banned a Dutch film, The Dinner Club, after accusing it of "glorifying homosexuality" the Embassy of The Netherlands in Kampala said at the time.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda and the LGBT community has faced physical attacks and social rejection.