The National Unity Platform has asked the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs to make available the Kololo ceremonial grounds for the celebration of their fourth anniversary this 22nd of July 2024.
In the letter dated 09th of July 2024 and received on 10th of July, the Secretary General of the Party, David Lewis requested the Permanent Secretary to make the grounds available for them on the 22nd day of July 2024, “given its historical significance and the anticipated number of people at the event.” He goes on to ask the permanent secretary to clarify the fees and other modalities.
Maybe not to be outsmarted by saying that the venue is booked for that day, Lewis insisted that the permanent secretary can give them “any other day on which the grounds are available for our use, before the end of the month of August, 2024. We shall adjust our program accordingly.”
Kololo Ceremonial Grounds are usually used by the state for various functions including inaugurations, budget days and state of the nation address. However, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has also used it to hold many of its functions.
The grounds also host the Head Quarters of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
In an X post, the NUP Party lists the various ways the grounds have been “regularly used for NRM activities, music concerts and other events. We hope we shall also have an opportunity to hold this important event at the grounds.”
If the Ministry of Defense grants the request, this will not be the first time Kololo is used by the opposition to hold its activities.
In December 2007, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secured it to protest against the hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). In April 2012, the Activists for Change led by Kizza Besigye and organized by Mathius Mpuuga also held a rally at the venue. In both cases however, the attendance was dismal.
