Katonga Spirit 2023: ONC To Dedicate President Museveni’s 79th Birthday Celebrations To War Heroes Who Fought Battles Of Katonga To Liberate Uganda
The Office of the NRM National Chairman (ONC) manager Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo has revealed that they have dedicated the upcoming celebrations codenamed Katonga Spirit Celebrations slated for 8th September 8th 2023 at Kololo independence Grounds to war heroes of the battle at Katonga that saw president Museveni seize Kayabwe and later Kampala during the liberation struggle in 1985.
According to Namyalo the 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 is meant to recognize and appreciate the efforts of those who fought along side president Museveni to liberate the country.
It’s worth noting that President Museveni, the National Chairman of the Ruling NRM this year became the receiver of the highest military honor in Uganda – The Order of the Katonga during the 2023 Terehe Sita celebrations held at Kakyeeka stadium in Mbarara district which Namyalo noted that it needs to be celebrated with a mega party which they are yet to throw at Kololo Grounds next week on Friday, September 08 as one of the many ways to celebrate President Museveni’s new achievement.
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.
Chief muzzukulu confirmed to the press that come shine or rain the event will be held on 8th September 2023 and so far government bigwigs, security agencies and the State House have already confirmed attendance of this event which will be the the biggest party of the year.
Namyalo rallied all the youth groups, women groups, and groups for people with special needs, among others to come on that day and celebrate with their beloved President. She noted however that on top of celebrating, there will be other key activities like watching revolutionary movies, exhibitions by bazzukulu who are successful in entrepreneurship, sharing of testimonies of the life of Jajja and other key historical, airing and watching of documentaries about the life of Jajja and struggle, cultural performances, and musical performances and music gala from parts of the country, cleaning of Kampala streets as part of pre-event mobilization among others.
Namyalo said the event is organized by ONC and all the major political movements; revolutionary guards and those from the MK movement will all be around to celebrate President Museveni and those who fought and won the Katonga battle hence bringing peace in Uganda that has seen Ugandans enjoying restful nights for the last three decades.
”I want to tell you that nothing can stop this event and also assure you that a huge number I can’t estimate is already warming up to shake this Kololo come D-Day. Therefore, I take this opportunity to invite all bazzukulu, children of the veterans and historians to come and share good vibes with their President on 8th September 2023,” Namyalo rallied the wanainchi.
Asked why among all the battles they decided to focus on Katonga, Namyalo revealed that there is something special with Katonga as this where indeed a bloody battle happened and it would’nt have been successful had it not been for the magical command of Gen Salim Saleh, and his fearless troops.
”We have for very many years been giving much attention to Luwero and Kabamba battles. Now this has left many people unaware of what transpired during the Katonga battle and that’s why we came up with this because people who fought that battle also matter but of course, even those from Luwero will join us on 8th September to celebrate their leader and other historical who perished fighting to put Uganda on world index of peaceful nations,” added Namyalo.
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.
President Museveni born in 1944, approximately eighteen years before Uganda’s Independence will be turning 79 years of age on the 15th of September, 2023.
Museveni born to the late Amos Kaguta and Esteri Kokundeka Nganzi in Ntumgamo district, Western part of Uganda in Ankole Region –is Uganda’s Head of State since 1986 after leading a successful guerilla liberation war in the jungles of Luwero Triangle.
The pioneer mega Museveni birthday celebration which is to run under the theme, “Celebrating Jajja, Lessons From Battles of Katonga; Omalayo Jaaja -Tukikube Ku Ballot” will also focus on promoting President Museveni’s agenda of socio-economic transformation by empowering the said groups to secure their future through Wealth and Job Creation while reflecting on his achievements in the last 78 years of his life journey.
