The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Manager, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, has empowered residents of Bbandwe Cell, Kasenge Ward, Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso District, with business equipment and agricultural inputs. The initiative aims to support income-generating activities and improve household livelihoods among youth groups, women groups, and persons with disabilities. The empowerment drive was held during a thanksgiving ceremony organised by the area's LC1 Chairperson, Mr Tawetwa Ezekiel Nakalya.
The items distributed included popcorn machines, sewing machines, hair dryers, shaving machines, salon accessories, high-yield maize and bean seeds, fertilisers, and selected pesticides. Namyalo urged beneficiaries to put the equipment and agricultural inputs to productive use, saying the support was intended to help them create sustainable sources of income rather than remain dependent on handouts. She also challenged local leaders to remain connected to their communities and identify people's challenges.
The gathering provided an opportunity for residents to present some of the challenges affecting their livelihoods, with delayed Parish Development Model (PDM) disbursements, the charcoal ban, and poor road infrastructure featuring prominently. Namyalo questioned the progress of the PDM programme in the area and sought clarification from Henry Luzinda, the ONC Coordinator for Wakiso District, on why some intended beneficiaries had not received their funds.
Luzinda explained that the parish had so far received Shs100 million under the PDM programme, of which Shs50 million had been disbursed, while the remaining Shs50 million was awaiting distribution. He attributed the delay to changes in the parish PDM leadership structure, citing corruption concerns. Namyalo also expressed concern about the impact of the charcoal ban on ordinary citizens whose livelihoods depend on charcoal-related activities.
The event also highlighted the issue of poor road infrastructure, with Namyalo questioning delays surrounding the Nateete-Kasenge Road project. She informed residents that the new Minister of Works and Transport, Byamukama, was following up on the project to ensure progress. Additionally, Namyalo handed over sewing machines to the LC1 chairperson to facilitate the training of girls and women in tailoring and other practical skills.
Kyengera NRM Chairperson Geoffrey Ssebagala commended Namyalo for consistently engaging grassroots leaders and visiting communities to understand their challenges and pursue practical solutions. He also praised Luzinda for his mobilisation efforts during the 2026 general elections. The visit builds on Namyalo's previous engagement with economic actors in the wider Kasenge area, where she met khat farmers and addressed concerns about irrigation, security, taxation, and access to agricultural inputs.
The ONC's grassroots empowerment activities aim to extend practical economic support to communities, particularly unemployed youth, women, and vulnerable groups. The initiative seeks to help them participate in income-generating activities and improve household incomes. This event follows Namyalo's previous visit to the area, where she met with local leaders and residents to discuss their challenges and potential solutions.
Key points
- Hajjat Namyalo distributes business equipment and agricultural inputs to residents of Bbandwe Cell, Wakiso District.
- The initiative aims to support income-generating activities and improve household livelihoods among youth groups, women groups, and persons with disabilities.
- Residents raise concerns about delayed PDM disbursements, charcoal ban, and poor road infrastructure.
