Published on 05/08/2025
The Senior Presidential Advisor and Head of the ONC (Office of the National Chairman), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, has extended President Museveni’s socio-economic empowerment and political mobilisation drive deeper into the South African diaspora, reaching more provinces and Ugandan-led associations in a renewed effort to win back support for the ruling NRM government ahead of the 2026 elections.
Following her successful initial visit last month, Namyalo returned to South Africa on the directive of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, armed with a hefty empowerment package to directly benefit Ugandan communities living and working in various provinces across the country.
The support, mobilised under the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), was handed over during Namyalo’s week-long diaspora tour in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, aimed at deepening NRM mobilisation ahead of the 2026 elections.
Namyalo, who has been spearheading the ONC empowerment drive across Uganda since 2022, told the diaspora that their support for NRM and President Museveni must translate into organised mobilisation, entrepreneurship, and loyalty to Uganda’s prosperity agenda.
“President Museveni sent me here to remind you that the door is open. You don’t have to wait for elections to benefit. Start your SACCOs, get organised, and your government will support you,” she added, drawing loud applause from the diasporas.
South Africa has in recent years emerged as a stronghold of Ugandan opposition activity, particularly for supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), with Bobi Wine making constant visits to the country. According to political observers, this trend has been fueled by limited NRM engagement and growing frustration among diaspora communities, many of whom felt neglected by government structures.
In her July 12 visit, Namyalo was tasked by the National Chairman to investigate these concerns firsthand. Her presence rattled opposition forces, culminating in a poorly attended counter-visit by NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), which observers say was a political flop compared to the strong reception Namyalo received.
But after a detailed report she presented to President Museveni, highlighting the diaspora’s grievances, such as unfair treatment by local authorities, limited economic opportunities, and inefficiencies at the Ugandan Embassy, Namyalo was sent back to S.A. with both a message of reassurance and a financial empowerment package to support Ugandan-led groups.
In her first two days of the second visit in Gauteng Province, she disbursed a total of $200,000, giving out $10,000 to each of over 20 SACCO groups, and climaxed her second day with a landmark appearance at the COUSA (Confederation of Ugandans in South Africa) convention held on Sunday, August 3.
On her third day, yesterday, Monday, August 4, Hajjat extended her mobilisation to the Eastern and Western Cape provinces, meeting with associations such as Agali-Alyawamu, led by Mudooda Ali (the NUP chairperson in Cape Town). While politically diverse, Mudooda welcomed Namyalo’s visit, urging her to help address issues like delayed visa renewals, expired work permits, travel restrictions, and embassy bottlenecks in processing necessary travel documents.
“We are grateful for this engagement. It has never happened before that an official from the President’s Office visits and listens to us. This is history in the making,” he said.
Namyalo pledged to present their concerns directly to the President. She emphasized that Uganda’s successful programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga should be adapted to benefit Ugandans in the diaspora as well.
Here, the ONC boss donated $10,000 to the Agali-Alyawamu association, $10,000 to the NRM Cape Town leadership, headed by Mayanja, and $5,000 to the Cape Town Women’s Association. “You are not forgotten. The President is committed to working with you to see that your welfare is improved, wherever you are,” Namyalo said.
She later held a high-level meeting with leaders from the NRM South African Chapter, an umbrella body that brings together party supporters across Southern Africa (including from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, and South Africa).
The S.A. NRM Chapter Chairperson, Mr Ismail Luzige, praised Namyalo for her inclusive and impactful mobilisation strategies, noting that previous diaspora initiatives were often hindered by financial constraints. “We’ve done our best to unite the NRM diaspora through business forums and community conventions, but we lack sustainable funding. Your support is a major boost,” he said.
In response, Namyalo commended them for keeping the NRM flag flying high amid opposition pressures. She handed over $10,000 to support their ongoing programs. “You’re our frontline ambassadors in the diaspora. Your efforts are recognised and appreciated by the President himself,” she said.
Namyalo is expected to continue her mobilisation tour through other South African provinces, including Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and North West, to reach more Ugandan communities and deepen support for the NRM’s 2026 re-election efforts.
Namyalo also used the visit to rally support for Museveni’s 2026 candidature, branding him the “sole visionary” capable of steering Uganda into middle-income status. “NRM’s work speaks for itself: peace, infrastructure, education, and empowerment. And this empowerment package is part of that legacy,” she stated.
The ONC Manager promised to follow up with more capacity-building sessions, financial literacy training, and logistics support for diaspora SACCOs in collaboration with Uganda’s embassy in Pretoria.
