The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) and Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, has resumed her grassroots empowerment program, providing business equipment and farming supplies to youth, women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Wakiso District.
The empowerment exercise took place in Bbandwe Cell, Kasenge Ward, Kyengera Town Council, during a thanksgiving ceremony organised by the area LC1 Chairperson, Tawetwa Ezekiel Nakalya.
The initiative aimed to help residents start small businesses, improve their household incomes and become financially independent.
Beneficiaries received various items, including popcorn machines, sewing machines, hair dryers, shaving machines, salon equipment, improved maize and bean seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.
Speaking to residents, Hajjat Namyalo encouraged those who received the items to use them responsibly to start or expand their businesses. She explained that the support was meant to help people earn a living and become self-reliant rather than depend on handouts.
She also urged local leaders to listen to the challenges facing their communities and work towards finding practical solutions.
During the event, residents raised several concerns, including delays in receiving Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, the charcoal ban and the poor condition of roads in the area.
Responding to concerns about PDM funds, ONC Wakiso District Coordinator Henry Luzinda explained that the parish had received Shs100 million, but only Shs50 million had been distributed.
He said the delay in releasing the remaining funds was caused by changes in the parish leadership. He assured residents that the money would be distributed once the new committee was registered in the system.
Hajjat Namyalo also expressed concern about how the charcoal ban had affected people who depended on the business for their livelihoods.
She further addressed concerns about delays in the Nateete–Kasenge Road project, explaining that the Minister of State for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, was following up on the matter.
As part of efforts to promote long-term skills development, Hajjat Namyalo handed over sewing machines to the LC1 Chairperson to support vocational training for girls and women interested in tailoring.
She promised to return to the area for a larger empowerment exercise, particularly to support those who complete the training and are ready to start their own businesses.
Kyengera NRM Chairperson Geoffrey Ssebagala thanked Hajjat Namyalo for her continued engagement with communities and efforts to support people at the grassroots level.
The area LC1 Chairperson, Tawetwa Ezekiel Nakalya, also appreciated her for extending the empowerment program to residents of Bbandwe Cell.
The exercise follows Hajjat Namyalo's earlier engagement with mayirungi farmers from Kasenge and Ssisa on June 25, 2026. During that meeting, farmers raised concerns about irrigation, security, taxation and access to farming supplies.
Through the ONC Empowerment Initiative, Hajjat Namyalo continues to support community programs focused on skills training, small businesses and income-generating activities, particularly among youth, women and persons with disabilities.