Fort Portal set to host national Labour Day celebrations

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FORT PORTAL - Fort Portal city, which is set to host the national celebrations for International Labour Day, is a bee hive of activities ahead of the de-day.

The national celebrations are set to be held at St Leo’s playground in the city's central division on May 1, 2024.

Business in town

Christine Linda, a hotel proprietor in Fort Portal, on Monday, told New Vision Online that hosting a national celebration is a business opportunity for them.

“Because of the many guests that have arrived so far, most hotel rooms have already been filled up,” Linda said.

According to Linda, hosting a national celebration is an opportunity for not only Fort Portal but Toro region/kingdom as a whole to showcase her potential nationally.

Ali Musa, a chapatti vendor, said in the recent past, his sales have more than doubled.

“Of late most of my clients are not Fort Portal residents but guests who have come in for the Labor Day celebrations” Musa said.

Moses Kugonza, a bodaboda rider, said the preparations for the celebration have boosted his business.

“By 3:00pm today, I had already made sh100,000 compared to only sh40,000 that I usually make daily. Most of my clients are guests who seem not to fully understand Fort Portal,” Kugonza said on Monday.

Service providers not happy

While a section of the business community is happy with hosting of the Labour Day celebrations, the situation is not the same for community service providers.

Wilson Ategeka, a businessman in Fort Portal, said all services have been procured from Kampala.

“It is unbelievable that even plastic chairs, mobile toilets and all eats and drinks to be used during the Labour Day celebrations have been procured from Kampala and ferried to Fort Portal,” Ategeka said.

Mary Kabatooro, another service provider, said whereas a national celebration would have been an opportunity for the business community to have a share of the national cake this has not been the case.

“At the end of the day, you will realise that while a lot of money has been spent to organise the celebrations, Fort Portal has only remained with peanuts,” Kabatooro said.

Parade rehearsals  

At St Leo’s playground, parade rehearsals composed of the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF), Uganda Prisons, the Police as well as the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) are ongoing.

The sound of the brass band as well as parade drills had by Monday, April 29 attracted several members of the local community from the areas of Harubaho, Bukwali, Gweri and the surrounding areas.

Charles Kamanyire, a resident of Gweri, said it is the first time he has witnessed the preparation of a national celebration in Fort Portal.

“I think the last time a national celebration was organised and held here in Fort Portal, I was still too young and did not observe much. I am here today to witness,” Kamanyire told New Vision Online as he watched the brass band rehearsals.

Commander Olum inspects parade  

On Monday, UPDF Mountain Division Commander Maj. Gen. Dick Olum witnessed the parade rehearsals for the Labour Day celebrations.

Maj Gen Olum lauded the performance of the forces involved in the parade rehearsals as he checked on their level of readiness after their rehearsals over the last month.

"I'm impressed with the performance I have witnessed here. You only have to iron out a few small things, and the parade will be perfect," Olum said.

He also thanked the people of Kabarole district and the Rwenzori Region for hosting the sister forces since they started the rehearsals.

About Labour Day

International Labour Day, popularly known as International Workers' Day or May Day is observed every May 01 commemorating the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement.

The day is used to spread awareness about the rights and opportunities of every worker, which they should get for their welfare and betterment.