Published on 21/06/2025
Senior Presidential Advisor and head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, popularly known as the Chief Muzzukulu, has responded sharply to attacks from controversial figure Frank Gashumba, branding him a “hired mercenary” and “serial blackmailer” bent on sabotaging her efforts to mobilise support for President Yoweri Museveni ahead of the 2026 elections.
Addressing journalists on Thursday evening, Hajjat Namyalo attributed Gashumba’s recent outbursts to personal frustration after he was cut off from ONC activities due to what she described as unethical conduct and dishonesty.
“When I first met Gashumba, he was weather-beaten and had just left jail. I extended a helping hand, even when warned against working with him,” a fierce but calm Hajjat started. “But as fate would have it, his ill manners proved those warnings right.”
She revealed that she had previously offered Gashumba a monthly facilitation of UGX 3 million and awarded him a contract to produce T-shirts under the popular “Tova Ku Main” campaign—an initiative she said she personally initiated to rally support for President Museveni.
However, the partnership was short-lived. Hajjat said she ended their collaboration upon discovering Gashumba’s alleged attempts to hijack and register the slogan under his name. She disclosed that she had to abruptly leave a retreat in Kyankwanzi to contest the move in court, which she successfully blocked.
Since their fallout, Gashumba has reportedly taken to public platforms to launch a smear campaign against Namyalo, including accusations questioning her educational background and financial standing.
In her rebuttal, Hajjat responded by displaying her certified academic credentials and property declarations. She also dared Gashumba to formally lodge his grievances with the Inspector General of Government (IGG).
“They’re bitter because the president still trusts me. Their games to discredit me before him have failed,” she said, noting that President Museveni relies on independent intelligence that has consistently cleared her name.
Under Namyalo’s stewardship, the ONC has expanded into a robust grassroots mobilisation structure with nationwide influence and is playing a strategic role in the NRM’s voter protection campaign as 2026 approaches.
Sources close to State House indicate that internal efforts by some party figures to sideline Namyalo were swiftly dismissed by the president himself. According to an insider, Museveni reportedly maintained: “Any mobilisation plan must include Namyalo.”
“They are fighting the wrong person. Fighting Hajjat is fighting the president,” the source added.
