The National Unity Platform (NUP) has been denied access to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for its January 2026 presidential campaign rally, with the government citing prior bookings until at least March or April 2026. This decision, signed by the same Defence ministry official who rejected a similar NUP request last year, has sparked controversy. The grounds, located in the heart of Kampala, are a symbolic national venue commonly used for state functions and major political events, making access a point of contention between opposition parties and the government. NUP officials have accused the government of applying double standards, arguing that Kololo remains available for other public and state events. The party has not yet publicly responded to the latest rejection or indicated its alternative venue, but it is expected to intensify its campaign activities in the coming months as political parties gear up for the 2026 elections. This decision mirrors a similar one taken in July 2024, when the Ministry of Defence denied NUP permission to use Kololo for its fourth anniversary celebrations, citing ongoing infrastructural rehabilitation works.
