Mbale City – Mbale and the wider Bugisu sub-region are mourning the heartbreaking loss of Azida Muzaki, a spirited NRM mobilizer and chairperson of the Yellow Girls, who died suddenly on Wednesday afternoon.
Her death has sparked an outpouring of grief and soul-searching, especially in political circles, where many remember her recent emotional plea to President Museveni.
During the President’s visit to Mbale in December 2024, while addressing a rally at Mbale Secondary School Grounds, Azida openly addressed the President, saying: “Mzee, I have a problem. My house is about to be seized any time.”
Her public appeal for a financial bailout was raw and courageous — a rare moment when a loyal mobilizer bared her personal struggles before the country’s highest office.
Now, just a few months later, Azida is gone.
She was laid to rest on April 12, 2025, at her ancestral home in Budadiri, Sironko District. Her burial attracted a cross-section of mourners — from political leaders to netball fans, family, and local residents.
Azida Muzaki was more than just a mobilizer. She was a retired netball player, a certified umpire, and a beloved coach. She was also a passionate football fan, known for rallying support for Mbale Heroes and infusing local games with her signature humor, energy, and unwavering team spirit.
As chairperson of the Yellow Girls, she stood at the forefront of NRM's grassroots mobilisation efforts in Bugisu, rallying women, youth, and voters behind the party’s cause.
Her recent role during President Museveni’s December tour — presenting the Yellow Girls’ memorandum at Muluku DA Grounds — was a culmination of her years of dedication to the NRM agenda.
But behind her infectious smile and public charisma was a woman clearly grappling with personal hardship.
Local leaders and party supporters are now demanding answers: Was anything done following Azida’s plea? What structures exist to support mobilizers in times of crisis?
One mourner noted: “Azida was the engine of the Yellow Girls. She carried the movement on her back, but when she needed us, we weren’t there.”
As the NRM family and the sports fraternity come to terms with her loss, many are calling on the party to re-evaluate its support mechanisms for grassroots leaders who often bear the weight of political success.
Azida Muzaki's legacy is etched in her unmatched spirit, her love for sport, and her deep loyalty to the NRM.
But her story — especially her final public words to the President — is now a sobering reminder of the human cost behind the scenes of political mobilization.
'Mzee, I Have a Problem' - Azida's Final Plea Echoes After Sudden Death