ENTEBBE, Uganda – Before the dawn of Ugandan independence, the tranquil town of Entebbe was not only the administrative heart of the British Protectorate but also the stage for grand displays of colonial pomp and ceremony, none more significant than the annual celebration of the Queen’s Birthday.
These formal festivities were traditionally held on the picturesque lakeside lawns of the local cricket ground, known to residents as the Kakeeka grounds. This versatile space, which served dual purposes as a sporting field and a communal gathering point, was transformed each year for the occasion.
The event was a premier social and political gathering, drawing senior colonial officials, diplomats, and invited guests from across the Protectorate. The ceremony followed a strict protocol, typically featuring a military parade, the solemn hoisting of the Union Jack, and speeches delivered by government representatives. The formalities culminated in a royal toast, honouring the reigning British monarch thousands of miles away.
The selection of the Kakeeka grounds was a deliberate choice. Its expansive green lawns, set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Victoria, provided a dignified and scenic setting deemed perfectly suited for the formality of the state occasion.
These annual gatherings were a powerful symbol, representing the extensive political and cultural influence wielded by the British Crown in Uganda during the colonial period. While the celebrations ceased after the nation attained independence in 1962, the memory of the Queen’s Birthday at the Kakeeka grounds remains a significant part of Entebbe’s rich historical tapestry.
This chapter of history reflects Entebbe’s former role as the undisputed center of colonial administration, ceremony, and elite social life, a legacy that is still etched into the town’s identity today.
