By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
The Senior Presidential Advisor in Charge of Political Affairs at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) of NRM, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, is reportedly set to be given the mandate to lead President Yoweri Museveni’s vote hunt in runup for the forthcoming 2026 elections.
Namyalo, a prominent promoter of the “Jajja Omalako Tova Ku Main” agenda and national coordinator of the Bazzukulu Group, who has been at the forefront of advocating for President Museveni’s seventh elective term in office is highly being considered for this ‘big job’ for the ruling party’s mega success in what seems to be Museveni’s last term in office.
State House sources informed The Homeland newspaper on Friday, January 17, 2025, revealed that President Museveni recently praised Namyalo’s efforts in rallying youth participation in wealth creation programs during a closed-door cabinet meeting.
When contacted though, Ms Namyalo said she was unaware of any formal decision regarding her leadership of the campaign. She emphasized her current focus on combating poverty and ensuring the President’s victory in the upcoming election.
“The people need services, and the NRM leader has declared this a year of action. We are working to fight poverty and stamp out corruption in the service delivery chain,” Hajjat Namyalo said.
The ONC boss revealed plans for President Museveni’s upcoming visit to the Busoga region, where he will engage in wealth creation rallies across districts like Namutumba, Iganga, Luuka, Mayuge, Kamuli, and Jinja. “The President is determined to stop the theft of public funds and increase household incomes. Development has no political colours, and all Ugandans are invited to welcome him in big numbers,” she stated.
ONC’s Role and NRM Strategy
Although officials from the ONC and the NRM Secretariat denied any knowledge of Ms Namyalo’s campaign leadership, it has been evident to the public how the Kyambogo office has been instrumental in implementing poverty alleviation initiatives.
After NRM’s underwhelming performance in the Buganda Sub-region during the 2021 elections, President Museveni tasked Namyalo with strengthening grassroots connections to reach directly to local people who had been frustrated by endless evictions and land grabbing in Buganda, corruption and poverty as a way of restoring the party’s sovereignty before 2026, a task she has overwhelmingly executed well.
Mr. Moses Kintu, the public relations officer and official spokesperson of the office told DailyExpress that the ONC’s efforts to uplift Ugandans from poverty have included sensitizing citizens about government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model. This model, he says, aims to assist the 33% of Ugandans living in poverty by promoting empowerment and self-sufficiency.
“Our focus is on educating Ugandans about opportunities that uplift their livelihoods. Regarding the campaigns for 2026, the commissioner for patriotism, Ms Hellen Seku, along with the NRM Secretariat, will lead the presidential campaigns,” he said.
Kintu explained that Namyalo’s empowerment initiatives have included providing start-up capital and equipment to youth and women to support income-generating activities. This is in addition to major wealth creation rallies and skilling programs that have been held across regions like Luweero, Mbale, Masaka, Busoga, and Bunyoro.
“The presidential skilling hubs are spread all over the country and Kampala is the greatest beneficiary. We wonder why the leaders, irrespective of their political affiliation, do not aid the masses to benefit from these programmes, which are free of charge,” he noted.
Despite ONC’s progress, Kintu said challenges such as corruption and inadequate implementation of government programs persist “…issues such as politicking and corruption among those implementing these programmes continue to pose challenges. The youth in the slums have ghetto Saccos but equally, there is much to audit to ascertain the lack of performance,” he said.
Mr. Kintu emphasized that the President’s “Musevenomics” philosophy aims to create wealth through skill-building and market-oriented production. “The presidential skilling hubs are widespread, yet some local leaders fail to help their communities benefit from these free programs,” he asserted.
As part of NRM’s broader strategy to regain support in Buganda and other regions, Kintu noted that the Hajjat Namyalo will next week on Saturday, January 25, 2025, hold a mega empowerment outreach at Ksana Playgrounds in Mubende District, as a precursor to the 39th NRM Liberation Day celebrations which will be held in the same district.
The NRM Secretariat was unavailable for a comment on Namyalo’s potential role in the upcoming election campaigns when contacted by press time.
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