Kampala, (UG): The Office of the NRM National Chairman (ONC) has highlighted the importance of the upcoming Katonga Spirit Celebrations at Kololo which will coincide with the pre-birthday event for President Yoweri Museveni who turns 79 on September 15, next month.
President Museveni, the National Chairman of the Ruling NRM this year became the receiver of the highest military honour in Uganda – The Order of the Katonga during the 2023 Terehe Sita celebrations held at Kakyeeka stadium in Mbarara district.
The Order of Katonga (Swahili: Nishani ya Katonga) is the highest military decoration of the Ugandan Honours System. It is a very rare award that recognizes its recipients for extraordinary heroism.
To celebrate this new achievement dubbed the Katonga Spirit, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, who is the National Coordinator of the Bazzukulu and the Senior Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs today revealed that the ONC, which she heads, is holding a mega party at Kololo Grounds next week on Friday, September 08, to celebrate this new achievement by the President.
Hajjat Namyalo says the event will run under the theme; “Celebrating Jajja, Lessons From Battles of Katonga; Omalayo Jajja -Tukikube Ku Ballot,” and is set to attract thousands of Ugandans from various parts of the country.
She therefore rallied the Bazzukulu (Museveni’s Grandchildren) to fill up Kololo on D-day as they celebrate with their beloved President on this new honour and age.
“I want to assure you that nothing can stop this event and to let you know that a sizable number whose size I can’t estimate. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all bazzukulu, veterans’ children, and historians to come and celebrate Museveni,” Ms Namyalo said while addressing the media at a press conference held at Kololo on Tuesday afternoon.
The ONC Boss added that apart from celebrating the Katonga Spirit, the Bazzukulu will also celebrate Jajja’s new age, who turns 79 years on September 15.
The event according to the Chief Muzzukulu will be climaxed by a series of activities such as watching NRM’s revolutionary movies, exhibitions by bazzukulu entrepreneurs, hearing testimonies from the public about the president and other significant historical figures, and his struggle among others.
Hajjat Namyalo, who will also oversee the event as the Hostess of the day says the following categories of participants will grace the day;
- a). Abazilwanako in Katonga and elsewhere;
- b). Abaana ba Balwanyi;
- c). Bazzukulu and their leaders from Kampala Metropolitan Area
- d). National Political Leaders
- e). Religious Leaders
- f). Cultural Leaders
- g). Diplomats
- h). Youth and Student Leaders
- i). Kampala Metropolitan Leaders
- j). Market Vendors (informal sectors).
- k). Ghetto Youth from all areas around Kampala.
- l). Representatives of Transport Sector
- m). 7 Hills Group of Cleaners
- n). Pressure Groups: Team Chairman; Team Thorough 1 and 2; Yellow Brigade, etc.
- o). Etc, etc.
According to Namyalo, Friday’s event has been duly cleared to happen by security agencies and so far several government bigwigs, security personnel, and State House officials have already confirmed attendance.
About the Order of Katonga
The order of Katonga is named after the final and decisive battle of the National Resistance Army during the Ugandan Bush War. It was fought near the Katonga River.
The honour was first awarded to former Libyan President Col Muammar El Gaddafi in 2004 by H.E. President Yoweri Museveni honouring the former him for his contribution to the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush struggle that liberated Uganda from dictatorship.
Museveni hailed Colonel Gaddafi for always being at the forefront of the liberation of Africa and unification of the continent.
The second recipient of the award is former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere whom Museveni posthumously awarded in July 2007 at his hometown of Butiama for his assistance in liberating Africa from colonialism in general and Uganda from Idi Amin’s rule in particular via the Uganda–Tanzania War.
In February this year, Gen Museveni became the receiver of the Order of the Katonga – highest military honour in Uganda.
The award was presented to him at the 42nd Terehe Sita celebrations held at Kakyeeka stadium in Mbarara district running under the theme, “Recognizing the sacrifices of the founders of the Peoples’ Revolution for Social Economic Transformation.”
The chief justice of Uganda, Alphonse Owinyi-Dollo took the honour of decorating President Museveni at the event.
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