Prime
NRM to remember Katonga victims as Museveni turns 79
The head of the Office of the National Chairman, Ms Hadijah Namyalo (centre), addresses the media during a press conference at Kololo airstrip in Kampala on August 29, 2023. PHOTO/ ISAAC KASAMANI
What you need to know:
- They want to reflect on the key lessons from the political struggles that marred the country before 1986, and celebrate the people who fought to ensure that peace, stability and freedom prevail.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leaders yesterday painted Kololo Ceremonial Grounds yellow as President Museveni supporters set the stage for his birthday party, one of the latest episodes in the politics of the ruling party.
Mr Museveni, who has been President since January 29, 1986, will clock 79 on September 15. However, the birthday party that is being organised by youth is slated for September 8. It is under the theme; “Celebrating Jjajja; lessons from the battles of Katonga.”
The organisers chose September 8 because they thought the President might get other engagements and skip what they have dubbed as a “mega birthday party” organised in memory of the bush war heroes.
The choice of theme, according to the head of Office of the National Chairman (ONC) in NRM, Ms Hadijah Namyalo, was carefully picked in consultation with the President to, among other issues, reflect on the key lessons from the political struggles that marred the country before 1986, and celebrate the people who fought to ensure that peace, stability and freedom prevail.
“For long, we have given much attention to the Luweero and Kabamba battles. This has left many Ugandans unaware of what exactly transpired during the Katonga battle (October 13, 1985) and that’s why we came up with this because people who fought that battle also matter,” Ms Namyalo said.
“We are not going to celebrate the President alone. We are celebrating him and all those who fought for peace in the country. So, as we celebrate President’s birthday, we are going to showcase all the historical events that led to peace and stability in the country,” she added.
She further said the President will give the background of the war at Katonga Bridge on Kampala-Masaka Highway in 1985 as it was one of the biggest battles that helped him and his rebels to capture Kampala.
