Namyalo Warns Youth Against Opposition-Led Protests, Vows Unshakable Support For NRM

By Gad Masereka

The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Manager, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, has issued a stern warning against opposition-led protest movements, describing them as a direct threat to Uganda’s stability and the safety of its young population.

Speaking from her Kyambogo office, Namyalo extended heartfelt condolences to the Ruparelia family, friends, and the wider business community, acknowledging the profound loss of a figure who had become a symbol of entrepreneurial ambition. Yet, even in mourning, she shifted focus to what she called a growing danger—the opposition’s push for mass protests under the guise of democratic expression.

“The so-called Protest Vote campaign is not just misleading; it’s a deliberate ploy to incite violence,” Namyalo asserted, her tone firm. “Young people are being manipulated into confrontations that only lead to arrests, injuries, or worse.” Her words carried a pointed message to supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and its leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, urging them to reject what she framed as a reckless gamble with their futures.

Namyalo’s stance was unmistakably aligned with the government’s broader narrative, positioning President Yoweri Museveni as the guardian of Uganda’s hard-won peace. She cited the success of recent ONC initiatives, including the “Jajja Tova Ku Main” and “Museveni is the Best” campaigns, as evidence of enduring public trust in the current administration. “Leadership isn’t about constant upheaval,” she argued. “Look at countries where power changes hands frequently—instability often follows. Change for its own sake solves nothing.”

Her defiance didn’t stop at the opposition. In a striking aside, she took aim at what she described as fifth columnists within the ruling NRM, accusing some members of covertly aiding the opposition to weaken her efforts. “Let them come at me with insults or threats,” she said, her voice unshaken. “I won’t be silenced. If standing firm makes me a target, so be it.”

The press briefing took a sharper turn as Namyalo addressed online attacks allegedly orchestrated by NUP-affiliated bloggers. “They think abuse will scare me?” she fired back. “They’re wasting their time. I won’t sit by while they manipulate our youth with empty promises and political tricks.”

As the country grapples with simmering political tensions, Namyalo’s dual message—of mourning a prominent life lost while vehemently rejecting protest-driven unrest—reflects a broader struggle for control over Uganda’s political narrative. With the next election cycle looming, the battle for the hearts and minds of the nation’s youth appears to be entering a decisive phase.