Defence Ministry rejects NUP request to use Kololo ceremonial grounds

Kampala July 18—The Ministry of Defence has rejected a request by the opposition National Unity Platform NUP, to use the Kololo Independence grounds to commemorate the party’s 4-year anniversary of existence.

The NUP secretary general Davis Lewis Rubogoya had early this month July 9th 2024, written to the Ministry of Defence requesting for permission for his party, NUP, to use the grounds to commemorate the party’s 4-year anniversary of its existence due on 22nd July 2024.

In its reply to the NUP secretary General Davis Lewis Rubongoya dated July 16, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, rejected the request reasoning that due to the ongoing infrastructural development there the Kololo ceremonial grounds will not be available and advised then to look for alternative venue.

But NUP requested for the use of the grounds well aware that they will not be allowed even when there was no work or function going on there. It is very rare that places for public gatherings like the National Leadership Institute NALI at Kyankwanzi, set up by government, are allowed to be used by the opposition parties reason being partly for security purposes.

This habit has led opposition parties to seek for private venues or set up their own venues and structures to hold their meetings or workshops with NUP having led the way by establishing its own training institute at its former headquarters in Kamwokya.