Hundreds Of Muslims Gather In Nansana As ONC’s Namyalo Combines Economic Empowerment With Voter Education

By Frank Kamuntu 

The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, on Sunday evening paid a courtesy visit to Muslims of Masjid Rahman in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District.

The gathering, hosted by the Wakiso District Khadi, Sheikh Erias Kigozi, alongside other Muslim leaders, attracted more than 700 faithful and community members from across the district. Sheikh Kigozi praised Hajjat Namyalo for her humility and compassion, describing her as “a loving mother who serves all people without discrimination, especially the poor and vulnerable who are often sidelined.”

He commended her for traversing the country to engage underserved communities, noting that her outreach goes beyond ceremonial visits to include tangible empowerment through startup capital and income-generating initiatives aimed at lifting Ugandans out of poverty.

A key highlight of the day was the official launch of WamuWomu – Wakiso Muslim Women Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, a SACCO formed following Namyalo’s lobbying efforts that secured financial backing to economically empower Muslim women.

Speaking as the preacher of the day, Hajjat Namyalo delivered a candid message on family responsibility, discipline, and self-reliance. She cautioned men against marrying multiple wives without the financial capacity to support them adequately, as guided by the Qur’an, while encouraging women to rise above dependency and work toward economic independence.

“Women should not be slaves to circumstances,” Namyalo said. “You can be a good housewife and still run a business to support your family.”

She announced financial support totaling UGX 20 million, pledging UGX 10 million to the women’s SACCO in Nansana, UGX 5 million to a men’s SACCO, and UGX 5 million to a youth SACCO.

However, she clarified that the funds will be officially disbursed after the election period, emphasizing that the decision was made deliberately to comply with electoral guidelines and to avoid any misinterpretation that the support was intended to influence voters.

“This support is about empowerment, not politics,” Namyalo stressed. “The beneficiaries will access the funds after elections so that no one misreads our intentions.”

She described ghetto youth as “bazukulu ba Museveni” (President Museveni’s grandchildren), noting that they deserve structured investment and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

Namyalo further urged community members to take advantage of government wealth-creation programs such as Emyooga, GROW, and the Parish Development Model (PDM), emphasizing that these initiatives are designed to empower ordinary Ugandans and reduce household poverty.

Reflecting on her spiritual journey, Namyalo spoke openly about enduring blackmail and attacks from different quarters due to misconceptions surrounding her work. She clarified that the ONC serves all Ugandans regardless of religion and condemned sectarian criticism, calling for unity and respectful dialogue.

She also highlighted her role in countering harmful narratives that had unfairly linked Muslims to insecurity, revealing that she personally engaged President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to clarify the truth.

“Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims are patriotic Ugandans not terrorists or rebels as some have falsely portrayed,” she emphasized.

Looking ahead, Namyalo pledged to intensify lobbying efforts after the 2026 elections to secure additional empowerment tools for Muslim women, including sewing machines and other income-generating equipment.

She used the occasion to mobilize support for President Museveni, describing him as a tested and capable leader who has maintained stability and earned global respect, noting that national development thrives in an environment of peace.

Namyalo also conducted voter education, guiding attendees on proper voting procedures to minimize invalid ballots. She encouraged voters to carefully and correctly mark the designated box on the ballot paper during the upcoming polls.

The Nansana gathering concluded with prayers, chants, and renewed calls for unity, economic empowerment, and active participation in national development programs, particularly in the forthcoming national elections.