Kampala, Uganda — Since assuming office at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs steadily repositioned the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) at the grassroots, with a focus on practical empowerment, political mobilisation and community welfare that party officials said had restored confidence, particularly among youth and women in Uganda and the Buganda region.
Known for a hands-on approach, SPA Namyalo led a series of interventions aimed at translating political mobilisation into tangible economic outcomes.
Central to this was the “Abanaku Tweyambe” initiative, under which youth groups, women and informal settlements received income-generating tools, including sewing machines, carpentry equipment and boda-boda motorcycles.
The programme also extended start-up capital and business tools to market vendors, butchers and organised youth groups, with the stated objective of boosting household incomes and encouraging self-reliance.
NRM officials argued that such initiatives helped reconnect the party with communities that had grown sceptical of political messaging unaccompanied by visible change.
In Kampala’s informal settlements and parts of Wakiso and Mukono, beneficiaries said the support enabled them to start or expand small enterprises, creating jobs and stabilising livelihoods.
Beyond economic empowerment, Hajjat Namyalo spearheaded social support programmes that reinforced the party’s presence during periods of need. Large-scale food distribution drives during Ramadan and Eid reached thousands of vulnerable families, while education and skills development also featured prominently.
Her office supported vocational institutions, including a contribution of UGX 3 million to Namasuba College of Commerce and the provision of training equipment to learners pursuing practical skills.
Youth and women mobilisation remained a defining feature of her tenure. Through vocational training programmes, sports activities and digital engagement platforms, the ONC enhanced skills development, civic participation and political awareness among young people.
Campaigns such as “Settle for the Best” targeted first-time voters, encouraging informed decision-making and sustained engagement in national affairs.
Political analysts noted that this emphasis on youth and women resonated strongly in Buganda, where demographic shifts made young voters increasingly influential.
By combining mobilisation with livelihood support, Hajjat Namyalo positioned the NRM as attentive to everyday concerns, a strategy party leaders said rebuilt trust in traditional strongholds while consolidating support in urban and peri-urban areas.
Her role in strengthening party structures was also visible in renewed grassroots organisation. Village-to-village engagements and the reactivation of local mobilisation networks were complemented by initiatives such as “Vote Protectors”, which the party said were designed to promote electoral vigilance and participation.
Through these efforts, Hajjat Namyalo consistently rallied supporters around President Museveni’s agenda of continuity, stability and development.
Health and social advocacy further broadened the scope of her work. Public health campaigns focusing on HIV prevention and periodic free medical outreaches were conducted in several communities, reinforcing the message that social welfare remained integral to political leadership.
NRM insiders contended that the cumulative effect of these interventions was a revival of party morale and visibility, particularly in Buganda, where political competition had intensified in recent years.
By prioritising service delivery alongside mobilisation, Hajjat Namyalo emerged as one of the party’s prominent mobilisers, credited with restoring a sense of purpose and connection between the NRM and its grassroots supporters.
