The Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs and Head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, has delivered a financial empowerment package from President Yoweri Museveni to Ugandans living in South Africa, as part of her ongoing diaspora mobilization campaign for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The support, valued at over USD 200,000, was disbursed to more than 20 Ugandan SACCO groups, each receiving USD 10,000, to support small businesses and improve the livelihoods of struggling Ugandan migrants in South Africa.
This marks Namyalo’s second visit to South Africa in under a month, with engagements held across Johannesburg, Sandton, Rosettenville, Mayfair, Pretoria, and Cape Town.
At one of the meetings in Johannesburg, Shafique Katumba, also known as Katsha De Bank, a known associate of opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), welcomed the financial support and extended appreciation to President Museveni through Namyalo.
“We’ve been suffering here, but thank God Namyalo has come through. Many came here looking for jobs and dignity, only to face discrimination. This package brings us new hope,” Katsha said.
Among the beneficiaries was a women’s group led by Sarah Jamil, a former supporter of the National Unity Platform (NUP) who defected to the NRM during Namyalo’s previous visit. Jamil confirmed receiving the funds and pledged to rally more Ugandans to support Museveni, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections.
“We sold property to come here, hoping for better lives. Many women here are single mothers, struggling to survive. This money will help us start over. We thank the President and Namyalo for remembering us,” she said.
Other recipient groups included the Turffontein team led by Sowed Kasim, Kabalaza Women Development Centre led by Brenda Kantalama, Pretoria Women Empowerment SACCO, Sandton Single Mothers, and the Limpopo Women Development SACCO, among others.
Speaking to the beneficiaries, Namyalo, widely known as the Chief Muzzukulu, urged them to use the funds to launch viable income-generating projects. She also announced plans for more interventions, including support for students, voluntary repatriation options, and skills-based placements for qualified migrants.
While in Pretoria, Namyalo officiated at the 3rd Annual Convention of Ugandans in South Africa (COUSA) held at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre.
She delivered another USD 10,000 to the COUSA leadership to support their community initiatives and encouraged participants to embrace government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the GROW Fund.
“You are not just citizens living abroad; you are Uganda’s ambassadors,” she told the gathering. “Your role in shaping Uganda’s image and contributing to its transformation is crucial.”
NUP Supporters Protest Museveni’s Continued Rule
Namyalo’s mission, however, was not without resistance. In Mayfair, Langalakta, and other NUP-dominated areas, a section of Ugandans staged protests, accusing the government of corruption, mismanagement, and neglect of basic services.
“You talk of development, yet our families back home suffer. Hospitals have no drugs, roads are in poor condition, and the youth have no jobs,” said Moses Kizito (MK), the founder of NUP’s South African diaspora wing.
Unshaken, Namyalo stood her ground and defended the President’s record. “Peace has prevailed under Museveni. Programs like PDM, Emyooga, UPE, and GROW are transforming lives back home. Uganda’s development speaks for itself,” she said.
In an unexpected turn, Namyalo delivered USD 10,000 to a group of NUP supporters in Mayfair, received by their chairman, Byaruhanga Robin, while cautioning them against being misled by opposition figures.
“Don’t let opportunists use you. Museveni is the best choice, choose wisely,” she told them.
Namyalo’s diaspora outreach campaign continues this week with more engagements scheduled in Cape Town and other South African cities, as she seeks to reclaim NRM support in a region where the opposition has historically enjoyed dominance.
