The celebratory picking of President Yoweri Museveni’s nomination forms from the NRM Secretariat on June 28, 2025, was overshadowed by violence and disorder at City Square, Nakasero I Parish, and other parts of Kampala, resulting in the arrest of 16 individuals for theft and public disorder.
Evidence points to disorganized mobilization by the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), led by Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, as the cause, exonerating Maj Gen Christopher Ddamulira, whose disciplined ghetto youth empowerment programs were not involved.
The arrested individuals—Ndigendawa Dauda, Abdul Sharif Nassar, Arthur Chris, Mayanja Amis, Sabila Rashid, Mugisha Gift, Batte Abudul, Komakech Niclous, Kibirige Muzmil, Arafa Musical, Kawoya Hafiz, Mbale Michael, Kakooza Juma, Tumukunde Babylon, Mbali Martin, and Kanyankole Oscar—were mobilized by ONC coordinators Nanyanzi Diana (Makindye), Councillor Hon. Kasana Deo (Katwe II Parish,), and Faridah (Nakasero Market).
This authoritative news website has confirmed from impeccable sources that these individuals were not part of Maj Gen Ddamulira’s structured ghetto youth programs, which have reduced crime in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono through SACCOs, vocational training, and funding, including UGX 1.2 billion and 36 motorcycles for 12 SACCOs.
The sources say that the ONC’s hasty mobilization, lacking vetting or ideological training, included disruptive “goons” from Mukono and other areas, planted among innocent youth groups marching to support Museveni.
“These were not our trained youth but loosely coordinated groups brought in at the last minute,” an NRM source stated.
Reports of attempts to quietly bail out the arrested individuals have raised concerns about accountability within the ONC, with critics pointing to internal rivalries as a possible motive for undermining Ddamulira’s successful initiatives.
In stark contrast, Ddamulira’s ghetto youth structures demonstrated exemplary discipline yesterday July 5 during march from Kololo to the NRM offices in Kyaddondo following the nomination of President Museveni.
“My groups are vetted and aligned with the President’s vision,” Ddamulira told a local radio station, denying any involvement in the violence. His field officers reported no criminality, and no arrested individuals were linked to his programs.
Following the incidents, Ddamulira’s team adopted stricter measures to prevent infiltration by “self-seekers,” ensuring only vetted youth participate in future events.
The chaos has fueled speculation of a rift between Namyalo and Ddamulira. While appearing on NBS Barometer ladt Tuesday, Namyalo linked the violence to Ddamulira’s ghetto structures, a statement contradicted by evidence implicating ONC coordinators.
Namyalo’s remarks were an attempt to deflect blame from her office’s failures, possibly to undermine Ddamulira’s reputation as the NRM competes for Kampala’s youth vote ahead of the 2026 elections.
NRM spokesperson Emmanuel Dombo has urged investigations to ensure transparency. At a July 2 event in Katwe, Namyalo condemned the “goons” in NRM T-shirts but did not address her office’s role in their mobilization.
Maj Gen Ddamulira’s proven track record of transforming ghetto youths into productive citizens stands untarnished, while the ONC must address its lapses to restore public trust and safeguard the NRM’s integrity.