By Our Reporter Chris Buyela
MBALE — The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) team in the Bugisu sub-region has publicly endorsed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for continued leadership beyond 2031, using the World Tourism Day celebrations in Mbale to demonstrate their support.
The endorsement came on Sunday, September 27, 2026, during the national celebrations held in Mbale, where President Museveni was the chief guest.
The event was held under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” with discussions focusing on the role of technology, innovation and digital transformation in promoting Uganda’s tourism sector.
As Museveni addressed the gathering, members of the ONC Bugisu team raised banners calling for his continued leadership beyond 2031.
The messages praised Museveni’s contribution to what the team described as national stability, development and socio-economic transformation.
Speaking to Swift News, Chris Buyela, representing the ONC Bugisu team and ONC manager Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, said the endorsement was driven by what the team considers Museveni’s contribution to the welfare of Ugandans, particularly young people.
Buyela said the President had addressed several issues affecting Uganda’s younger generation, commonly referred to as the Bazzukulu, and argued that continued leadership would provide the stability and continuity they believe the country needs.
Namyalo chants
The political moment at the celebrations was accompanied by chants from sections of the crowd, with some participants shouting “Namyalo! Namyalo!” as others drummed and celebrated the name of Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo.
Namyalo is the ONC manager and has been involved in mobilisation activities targeting young Ugandans and other groups supporting the Government’s development programmes.
According to the Bugisu ONC team, the chants reflected the recognition Namyalo has received among sections of young people who have interacted with ONC programmes.
Buyela said the latest endorsement followed engagements with youths in Bugisu, who, according to him, expressed confidence in Museveni’s leadership and development agenda.
He said the youths viewed the President as a leader who had provided stability while overseeing various development programmes across the country.
The team consequently used the World Tourism Day celebrations to make its position on the country’s leadership beyond 2031 publicly known.
Museveni promotes tourism
While the political endorsement attracted attention, Museveni used the occasion to highlight the importance of tourism, conservation and economic transformation.
The President commended the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), under the leadership of Dr James Musinguzi, for expanding conservation and tourism activities in eastern Uganda.
Museveni said bringing conservation facilities and tourism opportunities closer to communities could contribute to the protection of Uganda’s natural heritage while creating employment and income-generating opportunities.
He also stressed the need for Ugandans to move from subsistence agriculture to commercial production and other higher-value economic activities.
The President cited manufacturing, agro-processing and modern agricultural practices among the sectors that could help increase household incomes and accelerate economic transformation.
He also pointed to intensive fish farming as an example of modern agricultural practices that can generate higher returns from relatively small pieces of land while helping reduce pressure on natural resources.
Political significance
The endorsement by the Bugisu ONC team adds to the political debate surrounding Museveni’s future leadership as Uganda approaches the 2031 general elections.
For the Bugisu team, the Mbale celebrations provided an opportunity to combine the region’s tourism activities with a public expression of support for Museveni and recognition of ONC mobilisation efforts associated with Namyalo.
The team said its endorsement was based on what it described as the President’s record in promoting stability, development and programmes targeting young people.
The public display of banners and chants at the World Tourism Day celebrations therefore turned an event primarily focused on tourism and digital transformation into a platform that also generated political attention.
The development comes as political actors and supporters across the country continue to position themselves ahead of the 2031 electoral cycle.
Source: Chris Buyela and Bugisu Bazukulu
