Across Uganda, a quiet economic revolution is taking place at the grassroots level. At the forefront of this transformation is the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), led by Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye.
Through a targeted empowerment campaign, the initiative is bypassing traditional institutional delays to place wealth-creation tools directly into the hands of ordinary citizens, turning underprivileged youth and women into self-reliant entrepreneurs.
While structural government programs like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM) exist to alleviate poverty, many citizens find themselves trapped in complex administrative processes. Addressing a gathering of enthusiastic youth and women, Hajjat Namyalo frankly acknowledged these challenges.
“The government programs are there and we follow them, although most of them are burdened with a lot of bureaucracy,” Namyalo noted. “We came up with this concept to ensure that those who might not want to wait for the one million shillings can at least get equipment starting from as low as Shs50,000 to begin their ventures.”
This practical approach directly builds on the historical lessons of past wealth-creation frameworks.
Namyalo recalled a similar 2015 equipment-distribution drive led by Gen Salim Saleh, which provided welding machines and automobile toolboxes but was ultimately derailed by corruption. Upon taking office as the Political Head at Kyambogo, Namyalo sought to revive and fortify this concept—rejuvenating National Resistance Movement (NRM) support nationwide by ensuring structural transparency and direct community delivery.
A defining philosophy of the ONC empowerment initiative is its radically inclusive nature. In an era often fractured by political alignments, the campaign positions economic liberation as a universal right for all Ugandans.
“This initiative aims to equip his Bazzukulu (youth) with startup capital tools as part of broader strategies to combat poverty,” Namyalo stated, emphasizing that every Ugandan is fundamentally a Muzzukulu (grandchild) of the President. “So we shall be empowering NUP, NRM, PLU, FDC, and anyone else who will come. This is about getting out of poverty, not politics. This is not my money; it’s for Museveni and other big-hearted stakeholders who back our economic campaigns. Come and tap into this economic boost brought by ONC.”
The transformation driven by the ONC relies heavily on customization. Rather than distributing generic items, the office evaluates the specific geographical and economic strengths of each target community. For instance, ahead of a major wealth-creation distribution event in Wakiso District, the ONC meticulously curated tools aligned with local trades.
Because Entebbe relies heavily on the blue economy, fishing gear is prioritized for its youth. For urban and peri-urban hubs, the initiative provides a comprehensive suite of commercial tools, including:salon equipment and sewing machines for youth skilling,welding machines and automobile toolboxes for technical artisans,groundnut crushing machines, chapati making machines, and chips frying machines for value-addition food vendors and agricultural inputs to bolster smallholder farming output
By giving beneficiaries exactly what they need to start trading on day one, the initiative creates immediate cash flow at the household level.
The expansion of the ONC’s mandate has not come without friction. Namyalo used the community platform to directly dismantle social media rumors alleging her involvement in a Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala investigation regarding travel trafficking.
Setting the record straight, Namyalo explained that the office had advertised fully legitimate academic scholarships to Iran. Out of 95 applicants, 69 students who successfully met the strict criteria traveled for their studies on February 3, 2024.
“Of course, I have been seeing all that trash of people talking carelessly about this matter of Iran,” Namyalo clarified. “The truth is no one paid me a single coin. If there is any student saying they paid ONC to get the scholarship or paid me as a person, let that person go to the police with proof, and they can come and arrest me.”
She clarified that the process was managed transparently by designated staff alongside Ms. Esther Nankinga, who coordinates closely with the Iranian Embassy. Namyalo stressed that she explicitly cautioned all students never to pay a single coin for the opportunity. Condemning any form of extortion, she asserted that if any individuals committed fraud outside institutional boundaries, they must be held individually accountable by law enforcement.
Jane Balwanyi (Poultry Farmer) noted that the support improved household livelihoods and enabled direct wealth creation.
“Before the ONC stepped in, expanding my poultry project felt impossible due to the high cost of feeds and equipment. The agricultural inputs I received have completely transformed my business. This support has directly improved our household livelihood, and for the first time, my family is experiencing real wealth creation right at our home.”
Michael Senabulya (Integrated Farmer) highlighted how expanded agricultural support stabilized monthly earnings.
“As an integrated farmer, unpredictable seasons used to make my income highly unstable. The expanded agricultural support from the ONC provided us with the exact tools we needed to stabilize our production. Today, my monthly earnings are consistent, allowing me to plan for the future with confidence.”
Maria Namusoke Kamoga (Local Leader): Commended the initiative for uplifting lower-income groups.
“We have seen many programs come and go, but this initiative is different because it targets the people who need it most. I highly commend the ONC for uplifting lower-income groups in our community. Seeing women and youth get their own tools to start businesses has brought new life to our local economy.”
Hajji Haruna Kabuzi (District NRM Leadership): Praised the program for bypassing red tape to reach neglected communities
“Our people at the grassroots were growing frustrated with the heavy bureaucracy and endless red tape of traditional government channels. I praise this program because it bypasses those delays completely. It delivers wealth-creation tools directly to neglected communities, proving that development can reach every single citizen without discrimination.”
