Hajjat Namyalo Effect: How ONC’s Iron Lady Has Reawakened NRM & Secured Museveni’s 2026 Path

By Frank Kamuntu

The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) has, in recent years, evolved into one of the most influential grassroots mobilization engines within the National Resistance Movement (NRM), largely under the stewardship of its manager, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo.

Through an energetic, hands-on approach, Hajjat Namyalo is widely credited with reconnecting millions of Ugandans especially young people and urban voters to the NRM and to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, significantly strengthening the party’s outlook as the country heads toward the 2026 elections.

Central to this resurgence have been the ONC Empowerment Programs, which Hajjat Namyalo has used as a platform to directly link, engage, and interact with Ugandans across all regions of the country. From urban centers to rural communities, these programs have gone beyond rhetoric, creating spaces for dialogue, practical support, and inclusion. As a result, ONC has become a visible and trusted interface between the party leadership and ordinary citizens, reinforcing the NRM’s message of stability, opportunity, and continuity.

Her leadership has been particularly impactful among the youth, a demographic that had increasingly felt detached from mainstream politics. By prioritizing engagement, empowerment, and visibility, Hajjat Namyalo has helped restore confidence in the party’s structures and ideology. Political observers note that millions of young Ugandans who were previously indifferent or even skeptical have been drawn back into active participation, many openly expressing renewed support for President Museveni.

The scale of her achievements within a relatively short time as ONC manager has, however, not come without resistance. Hajjat Namyalo has attracted vocal opposition and what supporters describe as “mob enemies” from various groups, including some deeply rooted within NRM structures. Despite these challenges, she has remained focused and undeterred, continuing to mobilize for President Museveni and to expand the party’s grassroots footprint.

One of the most symbolic outcomes of her efforts has been the visible rebranding of NRM’s image in Kampala and the wider Buganda region. Areas once perceived as hostile or indifferent to the party are now witnessing a renewed sense of pride among supporters. Today, it is increasingly common to see young people confidently wearing NRM and Museveni T-shirts in Kampala an emblematic shift that signals not just support, but pride in a party that had previously lost ground in these regions.

NRM insiders also point to improved coordination and morale within party ranks, attributing this to Hajjat Namyalo’s disciplined organizational style and constant engagement with local leaders. By revitalizing grassroots networks and normalizing open support for the party in urban spaces, ONC has helped reassert the NRM’s presence where it matters most electorally.

As Uganda moves closer to 2026, the momentum generated by Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo through the Office of the National Chairman is increasingly viewed as a strategic asset for President Museveni and the NRM. Her ability to withstand pressure, mobilize at scale, and rekindle pride in the party particularly among youth and urban voters has placed the President firmly in what many describe as a winning zone, underscoring the enduring power of grassroots politics when driven by focused and resilient leadership.