By: Melanie Aanyu

Government has issued guidelines ahead of Independence Day celebrations at Kololo Independence Grounds on Sunday.

Unlike the previous two years, where the celebrations were virtually conducted due to Covid-19, this year, they will be conducted in a blended manner with both physical and virtual guests.

During the press conference in Kampala yesterday, the Minister of Security, Mr Jim Muhwezi, said only 800 invited guests shall attend, adding that they shall observe the standard operating procedures of both Covid-19 and Ebola.

Independence Day will be celebrated under the theme; October 9: A declaration of African interdependence and our shared destination.

The day’s activities shall include military fly-past and acrobatic dropdown of the UPDF commandos while awarding of medals was scrapped off the agenda on President Museveni’s order.

 He said the diamond anniversary is a celebration of Uganda’s achievements that include economic growth, peace and security which have been observed for the last four decades under the NRM government.

Mr Muhwezi refuted allegations that at 60 years of Independence, there is gross abuse of human rights associated with unwarranted abductions of citizens, especially those on the Opposition.