By Angel Lubowa
Kampala
The National Unity Platform (NUP) is pondering the next move after the government rejected its application for a mega rally in Kololo come January 10,2026.
Campaigns are destined to stop on January 13,2025, and general elections will be conducted on January 15,2025.
NUP had in October 27,2025, written to the Defence and Veteran Affairs Ministry, which run Kololo Ceremonial grounds seeking permission to stage one its closing mega rallies in Kampala.
But in a December 8, 2025 letter, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs informed NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya that his party’s request to hold a presidential candidate rally at Kololo on January 10, 2026, could not be accommodated due to prior bookings.
They said Kololo is booked until March or April.
The letter, referenced FAD 40/116/02, was signed by Sam Kallu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
This the second time when NUP is being blocked from accessing KololoCeremonialGroundsttthe first time being last year when the party wanted to use it for its fourth anniversary celebrations.
The development leaves NUP in the cold and may seek to hire other venues like Lugogo or Namboole stadium among others.
NUP has not officially reacted to the government rejection.
Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, in the heart of Kampala, is a symbolic national venue commonly used for state functions, national celebrations, and major political events. Access to the grounds has often been a point of contention between opposition parties and the government.