Museveni rewards Hajjat Namyalo with new contract as ONC boss to lead 2026 vote hunt
President Yoweri Museveni has reappointed Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye as his Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Political Affairs and National Coordinator of the Bazzukulu under the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) effective November 14, 2024.
The two-year contract renewal, detailed in a letter from the Ministry of Public Service dated February 17, 2025, reaffirms Namyalo’s pivotal role in mobilizing grassroots support as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) gears up for the 2026 presidential elections.
“I am pleased to inform you that His Excellency the President has, in exercise of the powers vested in him under Article 172 (1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 and on the advice of the Public Service Commission, directed that you be offered appointment on renewal of local contract as Senior Presidential Advisor – Political Affairs (NRM Chairman’s Office and Coordinator of the Bazzukulu) with effect from 14th November, 2024,” the appointment letter, signed by the Public Service Permanent Secretary, Mrs Catherine Bitarakwate, reads in part.
“The appointment is subject to the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995; the Public Service Act Cap. 91; the Pensions Act Cap. 89; and the Regulations made thereunder; the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders 2021 and Administrative Instructions issued from time to time,” the letter, copy of which DailyExpress has exclusively seen, adds.
The timing of Hajjat Namyalo’s reappointment is strategic, as it signals President Museveni’s intent to consolidate grassroots support ahead of the 2026 elections, placing her firmly at the helm of his campaign trail coordination across Uganda.
Having transformed the ONC into a powerhouse of pro-people mobilization initiatives, Namyalo has spearheaded job creation drives, youth empowerment skilling programs, and direct community engagement, building a formidable base of Bazzukulu support in both rural and urban areas.
Insiders within the NRM Secretariat view this move as Museveni’s reaffirmation of Namyalo as a loyal mobilizer and frontline commander for the ruling party’s upcoming political war chest.
Namyalo’s contract renewal, if true, comes as a clear silencer to detractors and internal power brokers who had hoped that she would be shown the exit and they would take over. Over the past months, her strong grassroots presence and uncompromising approach to service delivery have made her a target of coordinated social media attacks and smear campaigns.
Among those alleged to have covertly lobbied for her position include former ONC staffer Norman Akampororo, NRM Head of Finance Madina Ojale, and NRM Head of Mobilization Rosemary Sseninde, and some unnamed ministers all of whom had either expressed interest or were reportedly being fronted as replacements.
These individuals, according to insiders at the Secretariat and State House, have widely been linked to efforts aimed at discrediting Namyalo’s leadership and mobilization initiatives.
In November 2023, Namyalo addressed attacks against her, accusing certain government and NRM party officials of spreading negative propaganda to thwart the ONC’s empowerment projects. She labeled these individuals as “Mafias” intent on frustrating poverty alleviation programs. A furious Namyalo then asserted, “These mafia ministers, who hate to witness empowered Bazzukulu, have planned to parade a group of bafere beneficiaries to H.E.”
DailyExpress, however, would not establish the authenticity of the allegations, but an insider from within the NRM Secretariat reaffirmed the list, adding on Maj. Emmanuel Kuteesa, a close confidant of Sseninde on the list of those who wished to have the ONC in their mantles.
Despite the numerous bad reports about her, Namyalo remained unfazed, with sources close to State House confirming that President Museveni also stood firm behind her, convinced of her loyalty, ground command, and ability to energize Uganda’s youthful
Since taking charge at the ONC, Namyalo has repositioned the once-dormant office into a results-driven nerve center, rolling out empowerment programs under the slogan “Mzee Tova Ku Main” to directly connect the President’s vision with the people.
Under her stewardship, thousands of youth and women have benefited from livelihood tools and business starter kits ranging from sewing machines and salon equipment to welding tools and boda bodas. These initiatives have elevated her popularity and made her the face of NRM’s practical engagement with communities.
With the 2025–2026 campaign season on the horizon, Hajjat Namyalo now holds the strategic responsibility of anchoring the President’s countrywide mobilization effort. Political watchers predict that her bold, energetic, and no-nonsense approach will shake up traditional campaign models, especially in regions where the NRM has faced opposition surges.
As Namyalo formally embarks on her renewed tenure, her supporters view this appointment not just as a political victory, but as a vindication of her legacy and a loud confirmation that when it comes to boots-on-the-ground mobilization, no one does it better.
Her reappointment is also a resounding political statement that the President has no time for petty political sabotage and remains committed to performance-based leadership.
Hajjat Namyalo was unreachable for a comment on the reappointment by the time we broke this story, but the ONC spokesperson, Mr Kintu Moses, could neither deny nor confirm the appointment, although he promised to get back to us with concrete information after consulting from his boss.
“Ignore for now, as far as I know, I don’t think someone who has always been smeared with bad PR in the media can get the President’s favour at such a critical time. Maybe, never know, I will ask her first if she is aware of any such appointment,” Mr Kintu said before hanging up our phone call.
