The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Empowerment Initiative is transforming livelihoods in the Greater Luwero sub-region, with beneficiaries reporting growth in their businesses, improved household incomes and increased capacity to support their families following the distribution of start-up equipment and productive assets.
Some of the beneficiaries visited the ONC Manager and Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, at her office in Kyambogo, where they shared testimonies of how the programme had helped them establish businesses, expand existing enterprises and improve their standards of living.
The delegation, led by Greater Luwero Regional Coordinator Wasswa Tamale Abdukarim, comprised Nakaseke District Coordinator Kamya David, Nakaseke Town Council NRM Chairperson Karungi Yunusu Kabuzi, Town Council Speaker Nakibinge Elijah, Women Council Chairperson Balwanyi Jane and Bamunanika Constituency LC2 Chairperson Kavuma Twaha, among other community leaders and beneficiaries.
During the engagement, several beneficiaries credited the initiative with providing them with practical resources that had previously been beyond their reach, enabling them to venture into poultry farming, livestock keeping, welding, salon businesses and other income-generating activities.
One of the beneficiaries, Sevire Hakim from Luwero Town Council, said the support had significantly boosted his poultry business, revealing that his chicken stock had grown from an initial 200 to approximately 500.
Hakim recalled receiving the chickens during one of Namyalo’s empowerment engagements in the area, where residents of Zirobwe Town Council also benefited from the distribution of chickens and goats.
He commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for appointing Namyalo, saying her leadership at ONC had enabled ordinary citizens to access practical support rather than merely receiving promises about economic empowerment.
“You have been a mother to everyone ever since you came into this office. You have not only talked about empowering people but have also reached out to us and given us the tools to improve our lives. I received chickens, and today I have grown my poultry business from 200 to about 500 chickens. We are grateful to you and President Museveni for remembering ordinary people,” Hakim said.
Kavuma Twaha, a farmer involved in cattle rearing and poultry farming in Bamunanika Constituency, similarly praised Namyalo for championing grassroots economic empowerment, saying the interventions had created opportunities for beneficiaries to develop sustainable sources of income.
He described the ONC Manager, popularly known among NRM supporters as Chief Muzzukulu, as a leader who had maintained close contact with ordinary people and demonstrated interest in addressing their economic challenges.
“Chief Muzzukulu, we thank you for remembering people at the grassroots. We are seeing the impact of your work in our homes and communities. As farmers, the support you have extended to us has given us an opportunity to grow our enterprises, support our families and become self-reliant,” Twaha said.
Another beneficiary, Kirungi Aisha, a poultry farmer, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in productive economic activities, saying the support had contributed to improving her family’s welfare.
Nakafero Florence, who received goats under the programme, also commended Namyalo for extending assistance to ordinary citizens, particularly those who struggle to access the resources needed to start businesses.
“Thank you, Maama, for being a mother to all of us. You have remembered ordinary people and given us an opportunity to improve our lives. We appreciate everything you have done for us,” she said.
Beyond the individual testimonies, the delegation used the meeting to commend Namyalo’s grassroots mobilisation efforts and call for stronger support towards the ONC’s activities.
Nakaseke Town Council NRM Chairperson Karungi Yunusu Kabuzi urged Namyalo not to be discouraged by criticism, using the analogy of a productive tree that attracts attention because of the fruits it produces.
“A tree that bears good fruits will always attract people who want to shake it. Hajjat, remain strong and continue serving the people. We know what you are doing for our communities, and we pray that God continues to give you strength and protection,” Kabuzi said.
He also appealed to President Museveni to prioritise road infrastructure in the Luwero Corridor, particularly the Kisuule-Kapeeka Road, Zirobwe-Kikyusa and Bamugolodde routes, arguing that improved connectivity would facilitate trade, farming and other economic activities.
Kabuzi further recognised Namyalo’s mobilisation efforts among Muslim communities, particularly during Ramadan, when she encouraged Muslims to support President Museveni and participate in national development initiatives.
He reaffirmed the community’s support for Museveni, saying residents appreciated his leadership and wanted him to continue steering the country’s transformation agenda.
Greater Luwero Regional Coordinator Wasswa Tamale Abdukarim said the empowerment initiative had made a significant difference across the sub-region by giving residents access to productive assets and opportunities to improve their economic circumstances.
He urged President Museveni to continue strengthening the ONC, describing the office as an important link between the President, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and grassroots communities.
“Your Excellency, we ask you to continue empowering the Office of the National Chairman because this is your face on the ground. Over the last five years, we have witnessed the impact of Hajjat Namyalo’s work in our communities. The people of Greater Luwero appreciate what she has done for them, and we can testify to the lives that have changed through these empowerment initiatives,” Abdukarim said.
He added that the criticism directed at Namyalo should not overshadow the experiences of beneficiaries who, according to him, had directly benefited from the programme.
Meanwhile, ONC Coordinator for Luwero Peter Nsozi Mawejje thanked Namyalo for giving local coordinators an opportunity to participate in community mobilisation and service delivery.
Mawejje said the initiative had supported different categories of beneficiaries through the distribution of welding machines, salon equipment, chickens and bricklaying machines, among other resources, opening up opportunities for people who previously lacked the capital to establish businesses.
In her response, Namyalo thanked the beneficiaries for their commitment and for putting the resources received to productive use, emphasising that the success of empowerment programmes depended largely on the willingness of recipients to work hard.
“Thank you for being hardworking and productive. If you do not work, you are killing the future of your children. I am so grateful and proud that, at least, I have tried to change the lives of some people,” Namyalo said.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to remain focused on growing their enterprises, explaining that the ultimate objective of the initiative was not simply to distribute equipment but to help households establish sustainable sources of income and achieve economic independence.
Namyalo also reaffirmed her commitment to supporting President Museveni’s socio-economic transformation agenda, saying the ONC would continue engaging stakeholders to mobilise resources and expand economic opportunities for Ugandans.
She explained that some of the empowerment resources had been secured through engagements with well-wishers outside government and State House, noting that several Ugandans had the capacity and willingness to support initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods.
The ONC Manager also assured individuals who had previously been identified for support but were yet to receive their items that efforts were underway to ensure they benefited.
She urged recipients to use the resources responsibly, remain consistent in their economic activities and focus on building enterprises that could support their families in the long term.
As a gesture of appreciation, the delegation presented Namyalo with assorted gifts, including matooke, chickens, goats, pineapples and other items.
The ONC Empowerment Initiative was introduced in 2023 as part of efforts to promote household wealth creation and improve the economic welfare of Ugandans through practical support to individuals and community groups.
Under the programme, beneficiaries have received different forms of start-up equipment and productive assets, including hair dryers, welding machines, chicks, goats and other items intended to enable them to establish or expand income-generating activities.
The initiative complements the government’s broader poverty eradication and wealth creation agenda by encouraging citizens to participate in productive economic activities, grow household incomes and improve their livelihoods.