Bobi Wine Slams Government for Blocking NUP Event at Kololo Grounds

KAMPALA – On Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, Bobi Wine, the president of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), took to his social media platform X to criticize the Ugandan government. He accused the authorities of preventing his party from using Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, a decision communicated in a letter from Mfitumukiza Kallu Sam, representing the Ministry of Defence. Bobi Wine described the government’s actions as indicative of a “criminal regime” that is highly predictable.

Accusations of State Capture

Bobi Wine expressed his frustration over the Ministry’s reasoning that infrastructural developments were the cause for the denial. He highlighted the inconsistency, noting that the grounds have been used for various events, including a recent celebration marking 40 years of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which he referred to as “40 years of plunder and misrule.” According to him, these public grounds appear to be reserved exclusively for supporters of President Museveni and his regime.

Continued Obstruction in Western Uganda

The opposition leader further detailed challenges faced by his party during their #NUPCountryWideTour2 in Western Uganda. He claimed that venue owners in Ntungamo and Isingiro had been intimidated into canceling their bookings with NUP. The regime operatives, he alleged, were directing them to venues in sparsely populated villages, making it difficult for large crowds to attend NUP events. Despite these efforts, Bobi Wine noted that many people still travel significant distances to hear him speak.

Bobi Wine concluded his statement with a rallying cry for collective action to end what he termed as “humiliation” in their own country. He emphasized the need for unity and determination to overcome the obstacles imposed by the current regime.

Event Access Issues

Bobi Wine Faces Police Roadblocks in Bundibugyo Visit

On Monday, the National Unity Platform (NUP) updated its supporters on the challenges faced during their visit to Bundibugyo district. The party’s caravan, led by President H.E. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert (Bobi Wine), Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, and other leaders, arrived in the cocoa-rich district at 1:00 PM, greeted by throngs of supporters.

The visit was marked by a significant deployment of police and military personnel. Roads leading to the town center were barricaded, and locals were discouraged from meeting the NUP team. The Booma grounds venue, initially booked for July 8 and later rescheduled to July 15 with approval from the town clerk, was blocked by authorities. This blockade followed the interception and impounding of NUP’s public address system the previous day, and local radio stations were discouraged from announcing the party’s arrival.

Suppression of Radio Address

Mr. Kyagulanyi was scheduled to address local supporters via 94.2 Development FM, but this was thwarted by District Police Commander Wabwire. Wabwire, formerly RPC Mukono, claimed that the NUP team was not cleared by the radio station’s management. Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi confronted Wabwire, questioning his authority to speak for the station and presenting receipts that confirmed the booking of airtime.

Continued Efforts Despite Obstacles

Despite the disruptions, the NUP managed to open its Bundibugyo party office, with President Kyagulanyi addressing a large crowd of supporters. He vowed to return to Bundibugyo, stating, “We intend to come back to Bundibugyo because we’ve not addressed our people.” He encouraged young people to rise against corruption and strive for improved social services.

Uncertain Future Plans

According to the opposition party’s website, the day’s events did not proceed as planned “due to the regime’s continued efforts to hinder NUP’s mobilization drive. This comes despite recent commitments to law-abiding behavior made during an engagement with police at Naguru Headquarters.”

Key Events in NUP’s Bundibugyo Visit

On July 15, 2024, the National Unity Platform (NUP) reported significant events from their ongoing #NUPCountryWideTour2. President Bobi Wine, the leader of NUP, began his Tuesday with a live interview on NTV, where he addressed various pressing issues for 30 minutes, from 8:00 to 8:30 AM. In his interview, he continued to urge Ugandans to “challenge the poor governance of the current regime.”

After spending the previous night in Mbarara, Bobi Wine led his team to Ishaka, Bushenyi, at noon. This time, their journey was not obstructed by the police, allowing them to reach the rally ground in Bushenyi by 4:00 PM. The rally saw attendance from several NUP officials, elected leaders, artists, and supporters.

Condemning Corruption

In his speech, Bobi Wine condemned the rampant corruption that, according to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) report, deprives Ugandans of UGX 10 trillion annually. He emphasized that this vast amount of money could significantly improve service delivery if not stolen by corrupt officials.

“I want to ask you to stop supporting thieves in Government. Even if they bring money to you, that is your money which should have been used to buy drugs in the hospitals and work on the roads,” he said. “Uganda has a road network of 36,000 km, but the money stolen every year is UGX 10 trillion which would have been used to construct all roads including community access roads,” he added.

Criticizing Government Spending

Bobi Wine also highlighted the misuse of taxpayers’ money, pointing out that funds used to bribe opposition leaders and celebrate personal events are ultimately public money. He called on the youth to rise against such practices.

“The money they give to the opposition is your money. The money used to celebrate birthdays is your money. They are going to use your money to keep you poor and finally kill you. So, my message to you, especially young people, you must rise up,” he said, incorporating Runyankole dialect in his speech.

Advocating for Nonviolence

The NUP leader stressed the importance of nonviolent protest, citing events in neighboring Kenya as an example. He called for unity among Ugandans to create a new Uganda with equal opportunities for all.

“Raise up nonviolently. In our generation, we do not believe in killing people, but know that if we stand together, it is possible. The people’s power is very strong. That is why we came here peacefully even though they denied us a chance to appear on a radio talk show….There will be a new Uganda where there is equality and equal opportunities. You can be a Munyankole, an Acholi, a Musoga but we must be in a country that treats us equally,” he remarked.

The NUP Country Wide Tour 2 was set to continue in Rukungiri district on Wednesday, with subsequent stops in Ntungamo on Thursday and Isingiro district on Friday, according to updates from the NUP Website and Blog.

Following the announcement that the National Unity Platform (NUP) would not be allowed to use the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for their event, various users on the platform X shared their opinions. Here is a summary of their responses:

• Hudu Hussein, RCC Masaka and critic of the young opposition party questioned whether the grounds were truly under renovation, suggesting that the answer lies in whether this is true or false.
• Dr. Anyama Alfred Berliner expressed shame at the situation, implying that some Ugandans are treated better than others and calling out the regime.
• Ali Kisra pointed out the timing of the renovations, suggesting it was suspiciously convenient for the government.
• Everest Kab predicted that the current state of affairs would soon change drastically.
• Richard Mbayo  suggested using the Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) for celebrations and mentioned a planned march to Parliament against corruption on July 23, 2024.
• Joseph MK Mulema Ph.D reflected on the state of freedom and democracy, seeing hypocrisy in current and past practices but expressing hope that change will eventually come.
• Kaka Mugisha questioned the rationale behind NUP’s request to use Kololo Grounds, knowing it would likely be denied.

Summary Table: Key Points from User Responses

From Airstrip to Landmark: How Kololo Airstrip Became the Heart of Kampala’s National Celebrations

Kampala Airport, commonly known as Kololo Airstrip and officially as Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, is a notable landmark in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. This site, once one of the country’s 47 airports, is situated on the south-facing slope of Kololo Hill, centrally located in Kampala. It lies approximately 35 kilometers north of Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s primary international gateway.

Initially a small civilian and military airport, Kololo Airstrip featured a single gravel runway measuring 914 meters by 55 meters. However, it has since been repurposed and now serves as Independence Park, hosting national events and ceremonies. It no longer operates under the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and has no scheduled airline service.

Kololo Airstrip was constructed in 1936 under the directive of Philip Euen Mitchell, the Governor of Uganda at the time. The construction, which cost £18,500 and was undertaken by Gailey & Roberts Limited, included a gravel runway, a tarmac apron, a small hangar, and a control building that still stands today. Despite being a significant construction, its aviation use was minimal. Most international traffic continued to use Entebbe Airport as the main port of entry, even though Kololo was designated a “Customs Aerodrome” in 1937.

Wilson Airways stationed a de Havilland Dragonfly at Kololo for official and private charters within Uganda, but no scheduled services were ever launched. A 1939 survey by Imperial Airways indicated that the airstrip had customs, health, and immigration services available with prior notice, but lacked wireless facilities, relying on Entebbe for radio communication.

Post-War and Later Developments

The airstrip fell out of use during World War II and remained largely dormant afterward. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, parts of the runway were repurposed for residential development, reducing its length to approximately 730 meters. Despite this, Kololo Airstrip played host to significant events, including Uganda’s Independence Ceremony in 1962 and a Mass by Pope Paul VI in 1969.

In 2012, the Ministry of Defence initiated major construction projects at the site, including the erection of a public pavilion and office spaces now used by the Ministry of Defence and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). The grounds have continued to serve as a venue for national events, such as the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and the annual MTN Kampala Marathon.

Current Use and Significance

Today, the airstrip is restricted to rotary-wing aircraft, primarily used by government officials, including the president, for helicopter flights. The site also holds historical significance, with a portion reserved as a burial ground for national heroes. Notable figures such as Ignatius Musaazi, the founder of the Uganda National Congress, and former President Prof. Yusuf Kironde Lule are interred here.

Summary Table: Uganda’s Forgotten Airstrip: The Fascinating History of Kololo Ceremonial Grounds