By Frank Kamuntu
The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, has today engaged and empowered groups of ghetto youths from across Kampala’s informal settlements, in an initiative aimed at boosting livelihoods and recognizing their political support.
The engagement, held at ONC headquarters in Kyambogo, brought together youth groups drawn from several ghettos, where Namyalo applauded them for their continued backing of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. She commended their resilience and loyalty, noting that their support has played a role in sustaining the President’s leadership.
In her address, Namyalo extended special appreciation to heavily loaded businesswoman Maria Markh Honda for her consistent and generous support to ONC programs. She highlighted that since her appointment, Maria has been instrumental in youth empowerment efforts, particularly through donating motorcycles to the President’s “bazzukulu” to promote economic independence.
As part of the day’s activities, 20 brand-new motorcycles from Markh Honda were handed over to selected youth groups to help them venture into income-generating activities such as boda boda transport services.
Maria Markh Honda, while addressing the gathering, revealed that each motorcycle costs over UGX 5 million but emphasized that her decision to donate them was driven by a commitment to national development. She praised the youths for supporting President Museveni and urged them to use the motorcycles productively to transform their lives.
She added that her support is inspired by the President’s long-standing efforts to uplift Ugandans from poverty, noting that as a businesswoman, she feels compelled to contribute to that vision.
In the same effort to support vulnerable groups, Namyalo also reached out to women in the ghettos, including sex workers who often face stigma and economic exclusion. She donated sewing machines, complete with accessories, to enable them start small businesses and earn a living.
Beneficiary groups included Kiwa Group, Dancers Group, and Kabalagala Women Group, each of which received a sewing machine to support tailoring and related enterprises.
Additionally, youth groups involved in mechanics from areas such as Ndeeba, Kabalagala, and Kisenyi received toolboxes to strengthen their garages and improve their income prospects.
Namyalo used the occasion to defend her outreach initiatives, stating that empowering vulnerable communities should not be met with criticism. She cautioned against what she described as “mafias” within government who seek to exploit ghetto youths for personal gain, emphasizing that her focus remains on genuine empowerment regardless of opposition.
The initiative forms part of ONC’s broader strategy to support grassroots communities and promote self-reliance among urban youth and marginalized groups.
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