By Denis Muteguya
The National Resistance Movement (NRM), led by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa, has consistently adapted its strategies to maintain political dominance in Uganda. As the 2026 general elections draw closer, the party’s reinvigorated grassroots mobilization efforts are largely attributed to the strategic leadership of Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, the Senior Presidential Advisor/Personal Assistant (SPA/PA) and head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC).
Through a carefully coordinated network of regional and district coordinators, Namyalo has redefined the party’s outreach efforts, making the NRM more accessible and responsive to citizens at all levels. Hajjat Namyalo’s journey as one of the top mobilizers for the NRM has not been without challenges.
In her quest to strengthen the party’s grassroots support and implement directives from the party chairman, she has had to navigate a complex landscape filled with envious leaders, malicious propagandists, and saboteurs of the NRM government. However, her resilience and battle-hardened spirit have allowed her to emerge victorious, reinforcing her status as a formidable force in the party’s mobilization efforts.
Understanding the core tenets of President Museveni’s mobilization playbook, Hajjat Namyalo has fine-tuned the NRM’s approach by decentralizing efforts to reach the grassroots through ONC-appointed coordinators. These coordinators are spread across the country, with regional and district-level leaders playing a pivotal role in ensuring that the NRM message is actively disseminated and adapted to the local context.
Despite the strategic brilliance behind her work, Hajjat Namyalo has faced resistance from within and outside the party. Some leaders, threatened by her rising influence and unwavering loyalty to President Museveni, have sought to undermine her efforts. Others have resorted to malicious propaganda, falsely accusing her of acting out of personal ambition rather than serving the interests of the NRM. But time and again, Namyalo has demonstrated her resilience, focusing solely on the task at hand executing the directives of the party chairman and ensuring that the NRM’s grassroots machinery remains robust and effective.
At the heart of Hajjat Namyalo’s mobilization strategy is the network of regional and district coordinators who form the backbone of the ONC’s efforts. These coordinators are specifically tasked with ensuring that the NRM’s activities are well-represented and effectively executed at the grassroots level. Each region has a regional coordinator overseeing multiple districts, while district coordinators handle specific localities within their regions, making the mobilization structure highly efficient and tailored to regional dynamics.
By establishing this two-tier coordination system, Hajjat Namyalo has ensured that the NRM’s message is localized and tailored to the specific needs and challenges of different communities. The regional coordinators serve as key strategic drivers, overseeing larger geographic areas and managing the flow of information between the national leadership and district coordinators. Meanwhile, the district coordinators are more intimately connected with the communities they serve, conducting on-the-ground mobilization activities and fostering direct engagement with the electorate.
Throughout her journey, Hajjat Namyalo has had to deal with saboteurs within and outside the party who have tried to derail her mobilization efforts. These detractors, often acting out of self-interest, have tried to frustrate her plans, hoping to see her fail. But her battle-hardened nature, shaped by years of political experience, has allowed her to rise above these obstacles. Namyalo has remained laser-focused on her mission, understanding that her loyalty lies not with individual ambitions but with the directives of the party chairman and the broader interests of the NRM.
The ONC’s regional coordinators are crucial to ensuring that the NRM’s mobilization efforts cover all corners of Uganda. These coordinators are strategically placed to manage the unique political and social dynamics in their regions, from Buganda to the Northern region. Under Hajjat Namyalo’s leadership, these regional heads have been empowered to adapt the party’s core message to the distinct challenges of their respective areas.
For example, in opposition-leaning regions such as Buganda and parts of Busoga, the regional coordinators have implemented programs specifically targeting youth unemployment and economic empowerment for women issues that resonate strongly with the electorate in these areas. This targeted approach has allowed the NRM to gain ground in regions where the opposition had previously dominated. By focusing on practical, region-specific issues, the NRM, through the ONC, has successfully positioned itself as a party that listens and responds to the concerns of ordinary Ugandans.
While the regional coordinators oversee broader strategies, the district coordinators are the true Frontline soldiers of Hajjat Namyalo’s mobilization strategy. These district-level coordinators work tirelessly within their communities, directly engaging with citizens, attending local events, and organizing grassroots meetings. They are responsible for implementing the national and regional strategies on a local scale, ensuring that the NRM remains visible and relevant in every district.
By placing district coordinators at the forefront of local engagement, the ONC has ensured that no district is left behind. This structure has proven particularly effective in areas where opposition parties like the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have previously held significant influence. District coordinators have used their intimate knowledge of local dynamics to win back support by focusing on tangible solutions to community problems, such as improving access to social services and creating opportunities for economic development.
As the NRM prepares for the 2026 elections, it is clear that Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye’s tactical changes in mobilization have set the party on a winning path. The carefully structured network of regional and district ONC coordinators has ensured that the party is more connected to the grassroots than ever before. This decentralized, bottom-up approach has allowed the NRM to become more responsive to the unique challenges facing different regions of Uganda, ensuring that the party’s message is not only heard but also embraced by communities across the country.
Through the tireless efforts of these ONC coordinators, the NRM has successfully re-engaged regions that had become disillusioned or swayed by opposition rhetoric. Hajjat Namyalo’s strategy of empowering local leaders and coordinators has ensured that the NRM’s political machinery is stronger, more adaptive, and better equipped to face the political challenges ahead. Her resilience and ability to navigate the turbulent political waters filled with envious leaders and saboteurs have made her not only a steadfast leader but also a winner in the ongoing political battle.
In conclusion, the NRM is reaping significant rewards from Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye’s revamped mobilization strategy. By building a network of dedicated regional and district coordinators, the ONC has fortified the party’s grassroots foundation, making it more agile and responsive to local needs. This shift in strategy is not only positioning the NRM for success in the 2026 elections but also cementing Hajjat Namyalo’s status as one of the most innovative, resilient, and battle-hardened mobilizers within the party.
As the countdown to the elections continues, it is clear that the ONC’s coordinators will play a critical role in securing another victory for the NRM.
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