ONC’s Namyalo exposes corruption, PDM theft in Hoima, urges gov’t funds to reach forgotten sectors

Hoima, Uganda: President Museveni’s Senior Presidential Advisor and Manager of Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Chief Muzzukulu Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye has launched a scathing attack on government officials she accuses of diverting Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga funds into ‘fake SACCOs’, while leaving genuine beneficiaries lingering in poverty.

Speaking to the media during her visit to Hoima Sugar Factory in Kiziranfumbi Sub-county, Kikuube District on Thursday, November 12th, Hajjat Namyalo said it was unacceptable that hardworking youth in factories and markets, who form the backbone of Uganda’s labour force, remain excluded from government economic empowerment initiatives.

“We have seen His Excellency giving money to SACCOs, even fake ones that don’t exist. But what about these organised youth sweating every day in factories? Why are they left out?” Namyalo asked, drawing loud applause from workers.

The Chief Muzzukulu said several government policies had been captured by “self-seeking officials” who deliberately frustrate genuine beneficiaries while enriching themselves under the guise of implementing public programmes.

“Some of you leaders are thieves. You milk the poor and hide PDM money in ghost SACCOs while the real workers get nothing. This must end,” Hajjat warned.

She further revealed that her nationwide mobilisation tour, under the command of His Excellency, is intended to expose such corruption and demand that the President’s empowerment programs finally reach the intended groups.

“If factory workers don’t have time to chase these opportunities, then government must bring the opportunities to them. We, the Bazzukulu, are demanding what belongs to us,” she said.

Kikuube LC5 Boss Admits Implementation Gaps

Speaking to DailyExpress in an interview, Kikuube District LC5 Chairperson, Mr Peter Banura, admitted that although government has poured trillions into PDM and Emyooga, some technical officers have frustrated the process.

“The money is there, but some technical staff have created barriers. Some portray the right image, others don’t. These issues must be addressed,” Banura said, praising Namyalo for confronting the problems directly and engaging youth who had never been consulted despite being major contributors to the local economy.

He added that Namyalo’s engagement with Hoima City vendors earlier in the day had revealed further governance issues that must be urgently addressed.

Illegal fees, corruption cloud Hoima Market visit

Earlier in the day, Hajjat Namyalo stormed Hoima Central Market where she was met with angry vendors pinning local authorities for extorting money under the pretext of market fees. Many said they pay up to Shs 15,000 monthly with no receipts, raising alarms of outright corruption.

“The market floods whenever it rains. There is no parking space. Yet they charge us the so-called maintenance fee heavily with no accountability,” one vendor said.

Another, only identified as Harriet, said the officials charge them for every farm produce brought into the market leaving them with no profits, and as if that’s not enough, the same officials allow non stall owners to sell from outside the market which leaves them with no customers for their produce.

In response, Namyalo condemned the exploitation, saying such practices were destroying public trust in government and in the NRM. “People are not turning against President Museveni. They are turning against selfish officials stealing from the poor. You are killing the party,” she said as vendors cheered.

The ONC boss insisted that factory workers and market vendors must be added to priority lists for empowerment funding.

“This is the time to fight for our rights as the bazukulu. These programmes must reach the factory workers, the market women, the youth hustling every day. We shall not keep quiet,” she said.