Hoima Residents Hail Namyalo’s Hands-On Approach During ONC Grassroots Engagement

By Gad Masereka

A quiet buzz filled Hoima Central Market early this morning as vendors put aside their day’s routine to welcome a guest whose name has steadily become synonymous with grassroots empowerment. Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, the Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) and Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, spent the day traversing Hoima and Kikuube districts, engaging directly with traders, youth, and factory workers in a mission she described as “listening to the heartbeat of the people.”

Her visit began in the heart of Hoima City, where traders crowded around her to voice frustrations that have long simmered beneath the surface. They spoke of crippling taxes, irregular fees, and a sense of abandonment by local authorities. Many said the city council collects levies without issuing receipts, leaving them questioning where the money goes. “We pay every month but see nothing improving,” said one fruit vendor. “When it rains, the market floods and our goods are destroyed. Yet officials keep demanding more money.”

Listening attentively, Hajjat Namyalo assured the vendors that their grievances would not go unheard. She expressed dismay at what she called the growing exploitation of ordinary Ugandans by individuals entrusted with public office. “When leaders take from those they should serve, they damage the trust that holds our nation together,” she said. “People lose faith in government not because of the President, but because of the few who put their greed above public service.”

Several residents commended Hajjat Namyalo for what they called a “ground-touching approach.” Others described her as a rare leader who listens before speaking. “We have seen many officials visit only to make promises and disappear,” said a fishmonger. “But she is different. She has been supporting youth projects even before coming here.”

From Hoima City, her convoy moved to Kizirafumbi Market in neighbouring Kikuube District, where a crowd of traders awaited her under the scorching midday sun. There, she urged them to remain united and focused, reminding them that the government’s empowerment programs can only reach those who are organized. “When you form groups, it becomes easier for us to support you through initiatives like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model,” she told the crowd. She added that unity among small traders was key to ensuring shared growth and lasting stability.

As the afternoon wore on, Hajjat Namyalo’s outreach took her to Hoima Sugar Factory, where hundreds of workers downed their tools to meet her. They spoke about feeling excluded from national empowerment programs, despite their contribution to the local economy. “We work hard, but we never see these government benefits,” one worker lamented. In response, Namyalo pledged to raise their concerns directly with the President, assuring them that her office would follow up to ensure factory workers are not left behind.

“You are part of this country’s growth story,” she told them. “Through Jajja Museveni’s empowerment programs, we will make sure you also benefit. Every hardworking Ugandan deserves a chance to improve their livelihood.”

She encouraged the workers to invest in side projects and small-scale enterprises that could supplement their income, noting that sustainable growth begins with individual effort supported by government facilitation.

Throughout the engagements, her message remained consistent: that peace, patience, and partnership are the pillars upon which national development stands. She urged the youth to guard against manipulation by opportunistic politicians and to focus on building a Uganda grounded in self-reliance and productivity. “This government belongs to you,” she said. “Let us use the opportunities available to transform our lives instead of waiting for handouts.”

To many, her visit was not just another political tour but a reminder that government still listens when the right voices reach the people. In a region often defined by untapped potential and growing frustration, Hajjat Namyalo’s presence brought a measure of reassurance that their concerns might finally reach the corridors of power.