Uganda Is Not A Monarchy- ONC Boss Hajjat Namyalo Defends Uganda’s Democratic Principles, Affirms President Museveni’s Candidacy For 2026 Elections

The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman of NRM (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye has reiterated that Uganda operates as a democratic state, dispelling the notion that it functions as a monarchy where leadership is passed down through familial lines.

Hajjat Namyalo made the comments while responding to criticism from various pressure groups following her remarks made during an event where President Museveni launched the Registration Update of NRM Members at the Party Secretariat in Kampala.

Last week, Namyalo who is also a key figure in advocating for President Museveni’s candidacy in the upcoming 2026 elections, firmly stated, “Museveni is still on the ballot. For those who thought he is not going to seek re-election, I challenge you that power cannot be inherited. These are not monarchy issues that one has to get ready to inherit power. Power cannot be inherited here.”

Addressing critics during a press briefing at the Kyambogo-based offices, this afternoon, Hajjat Namyalo reiterated that she meant what she said with a clear and thoughtful perspective and further maintained that Uganda is not a monarchy but rather a democratic state, adhering to democratic principles across all levels of leadership and people have rights to choose their leaders.

“I still maintain what I said, and I repeat it, Uganda is not a Monarchy, Uganda is a democratic state, a sovereign state that gives powers to its people to vote for their rightful leader or the president, it’s not forced,” Hajjat Namyalo said.

Hajjat Namyalo who also doubles as the special Presidential Advisor on political Affairs noted that President Museveni and his team fought for the peace and freedom that Uganda has today and there fore the country cannot go back to the wars that we have already put behind us but rather the pressure groups should let people focus on work and getting out of poverty.

“That is a signal that shows that H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa brought peace and freedom. We have the right and freedom to choose who to represent us either in Parliament, LCs, councilors and all levels up to the Presidency” she added.

In addition to defending democratic values, Namyalo urged women to seize opportunities and work towards uplifting their families from poverty. She highlighted ongoing empowerment initiatives, including the distribution of items in Katakwi district ahead of Women’s Day celebrations this Friday.

“Let’s all stop thinking that it’s men to work for these families, women are capable enough. So let’s use money from the government empowerment programs to start up businesses and boost the well-being of our people,” noted Namyalo.

“In our ongoing empowerment initiative, my team is already in Katakwi where we are going to empower Women and bazzukulu to help them fight poverty” she added.

Commenting about the forthcoming NRM Party Register Update, Hajjat Namyalo emphasized that the fact that President Museveni presided over the launch of the exercise last week signals his coming back on the ballot in 2026 and therefore all the diversionary tricks from aimless groups won’t be entertained.

“By registering or updating the launch of the register, is a signal showing that he is on the ballot. If other people are saying that he is not coming back, so he was launching the update of the register for who?” Namyalo wondered.

The ONC Boss, therefore, urged the public and supporters of the ruling NRM party to participate in the update of their details in the NRM Yellow Book, an exercise which is set to kick off next week on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, ending on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

“…I call upon all Ugandans who still believe that H.E can do good and they still need more of his security, peace, the social economic empowerment,…let us parade at our respective villages starting from next week to register for membership in our NRM Register,” she emphasized.

“For a proper register and proper leadership, we have to do things legally. So by registering, it will give us the mandate to choose those other stakeholders, from village to president.”