Chief Muzukkulu Namyalo Rocks Mbarara! Engages Vendors At Central Market, Triumphantly Storms Kakyeka Stadium To Drum Support For Museveni

By Frank Kamuntu

Mbarara City: The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Senior Presidential Advisor (SPA) Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, spent the whole of today in Mbarara City, where she visited Mbarara Central Market to interact with President Museveni’s Bazzukulu (grandchildren) and listen to their concerns.

Hajjat Namyalo was warmly received by NRM Chairman for Mbarara City and former Mayor, Hon. Tumwine Wilson, alongside local leaders and hundreds of enthusiastic vendors.

During her tour of the market, several vendors expressed appreciation to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for constructing the modern market, which they said has improved their working conditions. However, they raised concerns about what they termed excessive operational charges imposed by the city council and some market leaders.

Among those who spoke was Nsengimana Abas, a dry fish trader, who thanked President Museveni for the magnificent market but decried high monthly fees. He explained that vendors are charged between UGX 100,000 and 200,000 per month for electricity — even when power is off — in addition to UGX 21,000 per water unit and UGX 70,000 for workspace rent.

The vendors further appealed to the ONC manager to relay their request to the government for Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to be directly wired to beneficiaries through mobile money platforms like MTN and Airtel, to reduce bureaucratic delays that often frustrate access to the funds.

Meanwhile, some Muslim vendors accused the Market Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Muhumuza, of religious bias and allegedly closing the market mosque. In response, Mr. Muhumuza dismissed the allegations as baseless, saying:

“Those accusing me are only driven by personal grudges. I have never closed any mosque. This market was built as a commercial center, not a spiritual one,” he said firmly.

After listening to the grievances, Hajjat Namyalo assured the vendors that November and December water and electricity bills will be cleared, thanks to an intervention promised by Hon. Tumwine Wilson and local authorities. She encouraged unity and cooperation among vendors, promising to follow up on the issues raised.

The mobilizers and market vendors also appealed to the President to boost their SACCO to strengthen economic empowerment at the grassroots level.

Later in the day, Hajjat Namyalo proceeded to Kakyeka Stadium for the Mbarara City NRM Cup, a sports gala organized to engage the youth — the Bazzukulu of Museveni — in productive activities. She was received by Hon. Charity Kibaaju Kamuhanda, the NRM flag bearer for Mbarara City Woman MP, alongside other district officials.

According to Seth Murari, National Coordinator of Sports at ONC, the event featured several disciplines including cycling, netball, volleyball, and football — with participation from six universities in an inter-university challenge. The final football match pitted Mbarara City South Division against Mbarara North Division, in a thrilling showdown.

Addressing the jubilant crowd, Hajjat Namyalo urged Mbarara residents to rally behind President Yoweri Museveni and all NRM flag bearers in the forthcoming elections, emphasizing continuity and stability.

“I promise you that Mzee will deal with corrupt officials. We are all tired of them. In the next presidential term, there will be zero tolerance for corruption,” she assured.

She further revealed plans, in partnership with Hon. Tumwine Wilson, to petition the President for the upgrade of Kakyeka Stadium to national standards, noting that sports can serve as a vital engine for youth employment and wealth creation.

“Sports is a ripe venture for jobs and wealth creation, especially for our youth. Together with Hon. Tumwine, we shall request the President to improve Kakyeka Stadium to meet national standards,” she said.

Namyalo also commended Hon. Charity Kibaaju for her unwavering support of the NRM cause and for nurturing youth talent in Mbarara, describing her as a true Bazzukulu-friendly leader who stands firmly with the vision of President Museveni.

By the end of the day, Hajjat Namyalo’s visit was hailed as a sign of the ONC’s commitment to bringing government closer to the people, amplifying the voices of the Bazzukulu, and ensuring their concerns are addressed directly from the grassroots.