Beneficiaries of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Empowerment Initiative have praised ONC Manager and Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, for supporting grassroots economic empowerment, saying the programme has helped transform their livelihoods and created opportunities for families to become financially independent.
The beneficiaries made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Namyalo at her office in Kyambogo, where they shared personal testimonies about how the initiative had helped them establish businesses, expand existing enterprises, increase household incomes and improve their standards of living.
The delegation was led by Greater Luwero Regional Coordinator, Mr Wasswa Tamale Abdukarim, and included Nakaseke District Coordinator Mr Kamya David, Nakaseke Town Council NRM Chairperson Mr Karungi Yunusu Kabuzi, Town Council Speaker Mr Nakibinge Elijah, Town Council Women Council Chairperson Ms Balwanyi Jane and Bamunanika Constituency LC2 Chairperson Mr Kavuma Twaha, among others.
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Beneficiaries Share Stories of Economic Transformation
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Sevire Hakim from Luwero Town Council, said the support he received through the programme had significantly improved his poultry business.
Hakim revealed that his chicken stock had grown from an initial 200 birds to approximately 500, attributing the progress to the chickens distributed during Namyalo’s visit to the area, where residents in Zirobwe Town Council also received chickens and goats.
He thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for appointing Namyalo, saying her leadership had enabled her to reach ordinary Ugandans and provide practical support to people facing economic challenges.
“You have been a mother to everyone ever since you came into this office. You have not only talked about empowering people but have also reached out to us and given us the tools to improve our lives. I received chickens, and today I have grown my poultry business from 200 to about 500 chickens. We are grateful to you and President Museveni for remembering ordinary people,” Hakim said.
Mr Kavuma Twaha, a farmer involved in cattle rearing and poultry farming in Bamunanika Constituency, also commended Namyalo for championing grassroots empowerment.
He said the support had provided farmers with an opportunity to expand their enterprises, support their families and develop sustainable sources of income.
Twaha praised Namyalo, popularly known among NRM supporters as Chief Muzzukulu, for maintaining close engagement with ordinary people and extending economic opportunities to communities.
Another beneficiary, Ms Kirungi Aisha, a poultry farmer, expressed gratitude for the assistance, saying it had given her an opportunity to participate in productive economic activities and improve her family’s welfare.
Ms Nakafero Florence, who received goats under the initiative, also thanked Namyalo for remembering ordinary people and giving them resources to improve their livelihoods.
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Local Leaders Call for Continued Support
Nakaseke Town Council NRM Chairperson Mr Karungi Yunusu Kabuzi praised Namyalo’s commitment to grassroots mobilisation and economic empowerment, describing her as a leader who understands the challenges facing ordinary citizens.
He encouraged her not to be discouraged by criticism, using the example of a productive tree that attracts attention because of the fruits it produces.
“A tree that bears good fruits will always attract people who want to shake it. Hajjat, remain strong and continue serving the people. We know what you are doing for our communities, and we pray that God continues to give you strength and protection,” Kabuzi said.
Kabuzi also appealed to President Museveni to prioritise road infrastructure in the Greater Luwero area, particularly the Kisuule-Kapeeka Road, Zirobwe-Kikyusa and Bamugolodde routes.
He said improving these roads would strengthen trade, ease transportation and support economic activities across the communities.
He further appreciated Namyalo’s mobilisation efforts among Muslim communities, particularly during the Ramadan period, when she encouraged Muslims to support President Museveni and participate in national development programmes.
Kabuzi reaffirmed the group’s support for Museveni’s leadership, saying they appreciated the government’s efforts towards transforming their communities.
ONC Coordinators Highlight Impact of Empowerment Programme
Mr Nsozi Peter Mawejje, the ONC Coordinator for Luwero, thanked Namyalo for providing them with a platform to serve communities and participate in grassroots mobilisation.
He highlighted several interventions under the initiative, including the distribution of welding machines, salon equipment, chickens and bricklaying machines.
According to Mawejje, the equipment has opened economic opportunities for people who previously lacked the resources to establish businesses and earn a livelihood.
Greater Luwero Regional Coordinator Mr Wasswa Tamale Abdukarim also described the programme as an important intervention that had helped beneficiaries engage in productive economic activities.
He called on President Museveni to continue strengthening and supporting the Office of the National Chairman, arguing that its grassroots engagements had helped communicate government programmes and priorities directly to communities.
Abdukarim said residents across Greater Luwero appreciated Namyalo’s interventions and urged her to remain focused despite criticism.
“Your Excellency, we ask you to continue empowering the Office of the National Chairman because this is your face on the ground. Over the last five years, we have witnessed the impact of Hajjat Namyalo’s work in our communities. The people of Greater Luwero appreciate what she has done for them, and we can testify to the lives that have changed through these empowerment initiatives,” he said.
He added that the criticism directed at Namyalo should not overshadow the experiences of beneficiaries who say they have benefited from the programme.
Namyalo Urges Beneficiaries to Put Support to Productive Use
In her response, Namyalo thanked the delegation for their visit and commended the beneficiaries for putting the equipment and other resources to productive use.
She said the success of empowerment programmes depended not only on the resources distributed but also on the commitment and hard work of the recipients.
“Thank you for being hardworking and productive. If you do not work, you are killing the future of your children. I am so grateful and proud that, at least, I have tried to change the lives of some people,” Namyalo said.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to remain focused on growing their businesses and embracing government programmes aimed at improving household incomes and lifting people out of poverty.
Namyalo explained that the main objective of the initiative was not simply to distribute equipment but to help households establish sustainable income-generating activities, achieve economic independence and create better opportunities for their children.
She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting President Museveni’s socio-economic transformation agenda, adding that the ONC would continue engaging different stakeholders to mobilise resources and expand opportunities for Ugandans.
The ONC Manager also revealed that some empowerment resources had been secured through engagements with well-wishers outside government and State House, noting that many Ugandans were willing and capable of supporting initiatives designed to improve people’s livelihoods.
She assured individuals who had previously been identified for support but had not yet received their items that efforts were underway to ensure they also benefited.
Beneficiaries Present Gifts to Namyalo
As a gesture of appreciation for her contribution to their livelihoods, the delegation presented Namyalo with assorted gifts, including matooke, chickens, goats, pineapples and other items.
The presentation marked the end of a meeting largely characterised by testimonies of economic progress and appreciation for the support extended to communities in Greater Luwero.
About the ONC Empowerment Initiative
Introduced in 2023, the ONC Empowerment Initiative is aimed at promoting household wealth creation and improving the economic welfare of Ugandans through practical support.
Under the programme, beneficiaries have received different forms of start-up equipment and productive assets, including hair dryers, welding machines, chicks, goats and other items intended to help them establish or expand income-generating activities.
The initiative complements the broader government agenda of poverty eradication and wealth creation by encouraging citizens to participate in productive economic activities, improve household incomes and build sustainable livelihoods.
The testimonies from Greater Luwero beneficiaries highlight how some recipients say the programme has supported their businesses and created new opportunities for their families.
