The National Unity Platform (NUP) has been denied access to use Kololo ceremonial grounds for its fourth anniversary celebration, slated for July 22, 2024.
Kallu Sam, the permanent secretary to the ministry of defense, has informed NUP that it cannot use its venue of preference because of ongoing infrastructural development and advised the party to get an alternative venue.
“Due to the ongoing infrastructural development at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, we regret to inform you that the grounds will not be available for your event. You are therefore requested to seek an alternative venue,” writes Kallu in a letter to NUP dated July 16.
NUP, through its secretary general, David Lewis Rubongoya, had written to the ministry of defense seeking permission to use Kololo ceremonial grounds for its fourth anniversary celebrations.
Rubongoya said NUP had chosen to use Kololo Ceremonial Grounds because of its historical significance and the anticipated large turnout of its supporters for the celebration.
“We accordingly request to hold this event at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, given its historical significance as well as the anticipated number of people at the event,” Rubongoya noted.
The party also requested to be offered any other day not later than the end of August in case the venue was to be unavailable on the requested date of July 22.
“Please note that if for any reason the grounds are not available on that day, You may give us 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,” Rubongoya added.
NUP reacts
NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi said the venues are ‘only made available for use by everyone who worships Gen. Museveni and his regime. He said NUP being denied access to Kololo ceremonial grounds ‘exemplifies nothing but state capture.
“Different individuals and other organizations continue to hold concerts and other events there. Effectively, these public grounds are only available for use by everyone who worships Gen. Museveni and his regime! This exemplifies nothing but state capture.” Kyagulanyi said.
NUP will commemorate four years since its establishment this year. The party was launched on July 22, 2020, as a rebrand of the National Unity, Reconciliation, and Development Party (NURP).
The event will be organized under the theme. “Four Years of NUP: The Milestones Reached, the Obstacles Encountered, and a Glance into the Future.”
