A political disagreement has emerged between Office of the National Chairman (ONC) head Hajjati Hadijah Namyalo and senior figures in the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) following competing positions on Uganda’s political direction beyond 2031.
The latest disagreement followed an event in Mbale on September 27, where Namyalo’s ONC Bugisu team publicly endorsed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for continued leadership beyond 2031. The endorsement was made as Museveni addressed World Tourism Day celebrations.
The development drew a response from PLU leaders, who are currently mobilising support for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s planned 2031 presidential bid. PLU General Secretary Fadil Twalla publicly told Namyalo to stop what he described as “unsanctioned” endorsement activities. PLU Chairman’s Office head Daudi Kabanda also publicly criticised her, saying: “Namyalo please stop it.”
Namyalo, through the ONC, has continued activities supporting Museveni in his role as National Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). The ONC describes its mandate as supporting the National Chairman in implementing the party’s principles, policies and activities.
Security Reports Add to the Tension
Reports published on September 29 also claimed that Namyalo had lost her Police Presidential Guard security detail amid the disagreement. However, no official government or police source had publicly confirmed that the reported withdrawal was connected to the dispute at the time of publication.
Another report linked the alleged security changes to the political disagreement, but also noted that the circumstances and authority behind the reported withdrawal had not been officially established.
PLU Continues 2031 Mobilisation
The dispute comes as PLU expands its nationwide mobilisation around Muhoozi’s 2031 political ambitions. Muhoozi publicly declared his intention to seek Uganda’s presidency in 2031, while PLU has subsequently organised endorsement activities across different parts of the country.
The competing public positions have brought greater attention to the emerging debate within the NRM political establishment over leadership beyond the 2026 election cycle.
For now, both sides continue to publicly advance their respective positions, while claims of intimidation against Namyalo remain matters of political statements and media reports rather than independently established facts.
