By Frank Kamuntu
The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hadijah Namyalo, has called for stronger action against corruption, increased youth empowerment, and wider public awareness of government programs as key drivers of Uganda’s social and economic transformation.
According to Namyalo, corruption remains one of the biggest obstacles undermining government service delivery and poverty eradication efforts.
“If we are trying to restore the spirit and morale of Ugandans, we must first get rid of the corrupt,” she said.
“You cannot transform a country that is corrupted because even the ideas, systems, and opportunities meant to fight poverty end up being destroyed.”
Namyalo emphasized that fighting poverty must go hand in hand with equipping young people with practical skills and employment opportunities. She urged institutions responsible for labour and employment to strengthen job creation initiatives to support young Ugandans after school.
“It should not be about someone studying and then immediately entering a life of hustling without opportunities,” she said.
“If we improve job creation alongside job seeking, people will be able to support themselves and feed their families.”
The ONC boss highlighted the role her office continues to play in supporting government programs across sectors such as agriculture and fisheries.
According to her, the office has been mobilising communities, lobbying for resources, and helping citizens access opportunities aligned with government priorities.
“In the fisheries sector, we have been providing the right fishing nets according to government standards and requirements,” Namyalo explained.
“In agriculture, we engage farmers directly to understand their challenges and lobby for what can improve their livelihoods.”
She said one of the biggest achievements of the Office of the National Chairman has been taking government services and information directly to ordinary citizens through community outreach and awareness campaigns.
According to Namyalo, many Ugandans are still unaware of important government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, Operation Wealth Creation, tourism opportunities, and services available in government health facilities.
“Our responsibility is to create awareness so that citizens understand both their duties and the opportunities available to them,” she said.
She criticized leaders who only return to their constituencies during election periods, arguing that leadership should involve continuous engagement with citizens rather than seasonal political mobilisation.
“Many leaders only go back to the people when they want votes,” Namyalo noted.
“They rarely explain government programs or help citizens understand the national manifesto.”
Namyalo stressed that government programs can only succeed if citizens fully understand them and actively participate in efforts aimed at improving household incomes and fighting poverty.
“Our Constitution should not remain just a booklet. It should become an implementation framework that benefits citizens, government, and stakeholders alike,” she stated.
On the role of young people in shaping Uganda’s future, Namyalo says today’s youth are more informed, independent-minded, and politically aware due to the growth of ICT and increased access to information.
“Unlike before, young people now know what they want and are not easily manipulated,” she said.
“They are more active and involved in shaping the future of the country.”
She also raised concern over rapid population growth, warning that increasing pressure on sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure continues to stretch available resources.
According to her, while government continues to introduce poverty alleviation programs, citizens must also take personal responsibility by actively seeking opportunities and participating in government initiatives.
“Fighting poverty begins at family level,” she emphasized.
Namyalo concluded by calling for intensified public sensitization campaigns to ensure Ugandans fully understand the opportunities available to them and the role they must play in supporting national social and economic transformation.
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