Nansana, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni’s Senior Political Advisor and head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, has urged Muslim voters in Wakiso District to vote wisely and correctly to avoid invalid ballots as Uganda heads into the January 15 general elections.
Namyalo, popularly known as Chief Muzzukulu, made the appeal on Sunday while addressing hundreds of Muslim faithful at Nansana Masjid Rahman, during an extended ONC voter education engagement organised at the invitation of Wakiso District Khadi Erias Kigozi.
The ONC Boss said the voter education drive, which she launched last week, was prompted by repeated cases where votes for the ruling National Resistance Movement are rendered invalid due to errors made by voters at polling stations.
“Much as the love for Jajja wa’Bazzukulu is clear, many votes are lost because people do not know the correct way of voting. My mission is to ensure every vote counts,” Namyalo said.
Using a dummy ballot paper featuring President Museveni’s particular as it will appear on the official EC Ballot, she demonstrated the correct and wrong voting procedures, cautioning voters against excitement, multiple markings and poor thumb placement that often result in spoiled ballots.
Call to protect NRM gains
Namyalo rallied the Muslim community to support President Museveni, saying voting correctly was part of safeguarding gains made under the NRM government, including peace, stability and access to wealth creation programmes.
She encouraged voters to take advantage of initiatives such as Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the GROW Fund, stressing that government programmes offer far greater opportunities for lifting households out of poverty.
“My support is only a small contribution. Government has the resources to uplift Ugandans if we organise ourselves and follow the right procedures,” she said.
Unity message from Muslim leaders
Sheikh Iga Ibrahim Kinyenya, the official Imam at ONC, urged Muslims to support Namyalo’s mobilisation efforts, saying her work is central to ensuring President Museveni secures a decisive victory
He cautioned Muslims against internal divisions and public attacks on Namyalo, arguing that unity was critical if the community is to benefit from government programmes.
“Instead of fighting Hajjat, support her so that she secures opportunities for all Muslims to benefit,” Sheikh Kinyenya said.
On his part, Sheikh Erias Kigozi, praised the voter education campaign, describing it as timely and necessary. “Many votes are spoiled simply because people do not understand the correct voting process. This sensitisation is crucial,” Kigozi said.
He dismissed critics of Namyalo’s wide-ranging mobilisation approach, which takes her to mosques, churches, markets and cultural institutions. “Her work has no limits. Mobilisation means reaching everyone, everywhere,” he added.
Beyond voter education, Namyalo launched the Wakiso Muslim Women Multipurpose SACCO, an initiative aimed at improving financial independence among Muslim women.
As the country approaches polling day, Namyalo urged Muslim youth, especially those in urban ghettos, to remain peaceful and avoid being manipulated into violence.
“Do not allow anyone to misuse you. Protect the peace of our country. After victory, we shall continue lobbying for more empowerment tools and startup capital for the Muslim Bazzukulu,” she said.
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