The Head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, has this afternoon taken her voter education campaign to Katonga in Mpigi District as part of ongoing efforts to reduce invalid votes and strengthen grassroots participation ahead of the polls.
The mobilisation, held near the refurbished Katonga Bridge along the Masaka–Mbarara highway, attracted thousands of National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters and local leaders, including Mpigi District NRM Woman MP flag bearer Harriet Mbabazi and district LCV flag bearer Kyeyune David, among others.
The engagement was conducted under the “Katonga Zukuka” campaign, an initiative focused on voter education, particularly on proper voting procedures. The drive targets young voters, popularly referred to as bazzukulu, and aims to ensure that supporters cast valid votes on polling day.
Addressing the gathering, Namyalo emphasised the importance of correct voting, urging supporters to carefully follow ballot instructions on Election Day.
“On January 15, I urge all of you to vote rightly by ticking in the box provided on the ballot paper. Do not tick or thumbprint on the photo of the candidate or on the party symbol,” Namyalo said, noting that a simple mistake can render a vote invalid.
She said that during the 2021 elections, many votes cast in favour of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni were invalidated due to improper marking of ballot papers.
“Many Ugandans voted for the President, but a number of those votes were invalid because of wrong voting. That is why voter education is critical, and that is why ONC is already working from the grassroots to protect and safeguard every valid vote,” she said.
Namyalo added that the vote protection and voter education exercise is being implemented following guidance from President Museveni, with party structures already deployed at various grassroots levels to ensure voters understand the process and that their votes are protected.
Beyond voter education, Namyalo also reflected on the historical significance of Katonga, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the 1986 liberation struggle.
“These people and their families paid a heavy price to rescue this country from bad leadership. They deserve respect, dignity and protection,” she said.
She issued a strong warning against land grabbing in Katonga and surrounding areas, stressing that residents should not be intimidated or unlawfully evicted from their land.
“No one should play on your heads by evicting you or stealing your land. This area sacrificed a lot for the liberation of Uganda, and its people must be respected,” Namyalo said.
During the interaction, several residents raised concerns that despite repeated pledges of support made to Katonga communities over the years in recognition of their role in the liberation struggle, some of those commitments have not yet been fully realised.
