By Karim Were
A strong display of political coordination and public messaging unfolded on Monday as the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), led by Senior Presidential Adviser Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, publicly aligned itself with the upcoming birthday charity run for Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Namyalo’s immediate contribution of 10 million shillings and acceptance of official event kits went beyond simple philanthropy, underscoring growing cohesion between the ONC and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a movement closely associated with Gen. Muhoozi. The gesture comes at a time when occasional speculation has suggested underlying competition between the two influential mobilisation structures within the ruling establishment.
The event, where Namyalo was hosted by a PLU delegation led by Secretary General David Kabanda, effectively became a platform to counter such narratives. Both sides used the moment to project unity and reinforce a shared political direction.
Kabanda framed the charity run as both a humanitarian effort and a unifying national activity. Held under the theme “Run for Charity, Run for Hope,” the initiative aims to raise support for vulnerable children, particularly those in underprivileged urban communities and NGO care. However, the messaging also carried a broader undertone—linking social outreach with political mobilisation.
By openly dismissing talk of rivalry, Kabanda positioned the ONC and PLU as complementary forces working toward a common goal: rallying citizens around the leadership and vision of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Namyalo, for her part, emphasised personal conviction over political calculation, presenting her involvement as rooted in longstanding commitment to community support. Still, her remarks also reinforced institutional loyalty, particularly in her endorsement of Gen. Muhoozi’s role in national security and leadership.
She further highlighted her personal history with Kabanda, suggesting that relationships between key actors within the two organisations extend beyond formal roles. This blending of personal ties and political collaboration adds another layer to the apparent alignment between ONC and PLU.
The timing of the show of unity is notable, coming in the aftermath of the 2026 elections, where both figures were actively involved in mobilising support for the ruling party. Their continued cooperation signals an effort to maintain political momentum while simultaneously engaging in public-facing social initiatives.
Ultimately, while the charity run is positioned as a humanitarian effort, it also reflects the evolving dynamics within Uganda’s political landscape—where acts of giving, public solidarity, and strategic messaging inc
reasingly intersect.
