National Unity Platform President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has sharply criticized the Ministry of Defence’s response to the National Unity Platform (NUP)’s request to host their party activities at the Kololo ceremonial Grounds.
In a letter dated July 9, NUP’s Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, expressed interest in using the venue for their upcoming celebrations. The letter was addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. However, on Thursday, July 18, the Ministry responded, citing the non-availability of the venue due to ongoing infrastructural developments.
“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,” stated the Ministry’s response.
Kyagulanyi, the party president, was unsurprised by the response. “We just received this letter from Mfitumukiza Kallu Sam, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, informing us that the National Unity Platform cannot use Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, because apparently, there are ongoing infrastructural developments!”
He further criticized the inconsistency, noting,
“These same grounds have been hosting different events, including recently when they had an event to apparently recognize 40 years of NRM—in actual sense, 40 years of plunder and misrule. 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!”
Kyagulanyi added that this situation exemplifies state capture. He highlighted the challenges faced during their NUP Country Wide Tour 2 in Western Uganda, where venue owners were reportedly intimidated and forced to cancel bookings in towns like Ntungamo and Isingiro.
“Regime operatives have all been directed to give us venues that are located in villages that are sparsely populated. It still baffles them that many people are still able to travel these distances to come and listen to us,” he said.
Earlier, NUP had expressed willingness to reschedule their event if the venue was unavailable on the intended day. They indicated that any other day within the month of August would still be appropriate and looked forward to a positive response. However, the Ministry’s refusal has reinforced the party’s concerns about the government’s attempts to stifle their activities.
