By Karim Were
Barely two days after President Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony at Kololo, Hajat Hadijah Namyalo has turned attention from political celebrations to grassroots economic support, launching a major Eid empowerment drive targeting Muslim communities in Kampala and Wakiso.
The Senior Presidential Advisor and head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) on Tuesday led the distribution of startup tools, food items, and financial assistance to more than 2,000 beneficiaries at the ONC headquarters in Kyambogo.
The initiative, organized ahead of Eid ul-Fitr celebrations, focused on low-income youth groups, women entrepreneurs, boda boda riders, market vendors, and SACCO members struggling with daily economic pressures.
Speaking at the event, Namyalo said the post-election period should be defined by service delivery rather than political rhetoric.
“Leadership must go beyond campaigns and celebrations,” she said. “What matters now is whether ordinary people can improve their livelihoods and celebrate Eid with dignity.”
Beneficiaries received sewing machines, salon equipment, maize seed, and cash capital estimated at UGX 200,000 per group to support small business activities.
Residents from Kawempe, Nakawa, Makindye, and parts of Wakiso attended the event, with many praising the ONC for maintaining engagement after the elections.
Wasswa Kato, a boda boda leader from Nakawa, said many supporters feared politicians would disappear after the swearing-in ceremonies.
“Most leaders return only during campaigns,” he said. “But this program shows some promises are being followed up.”
According to ONC coordinators, the Eid outreach is part of a broader strategy aimed at transitioning the office from election mobilization to parish-level economic empowerment and service monitoring during the new parliamentary term.
Namyalo emphasized that the ONC intends to work closely with communities to ensure government programs directly benefit grassroots populations.
“The President has taken the oath to serve Ugandans,” she said. “Our responsibility is to make sure that service reaches people in the markets, workshops, and communities.”
Similar empowerment activities are reportedly ongoing in Jinja, Mbale, and Masaka, particularly in Muslim communities viewed as both support bases and key development areas.
Inside ONC offices, staff say operations resumed immediately after the inauguration, with parish coordination meetings and field performance reviews already underway.
For supporters, the quick return to community activities signals an attempt by the ONC to maintain political momentum by tying leadership directly to economic assistance and
visible grassroots engagement.
