Public debate has intensified around Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo after she reportedly gifted her 5-year-old son a brand-new luxury vehicle and later released bank documents she says are meant to clarify the source of her wealth.
Hadijah Namyalo, who serves as Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) under the ruling National Resistance Movement and also holds the position of Senior Presidential Advisor to President Yoweri Museveni, came under public scrutiny following a birthday celebration for her son Rayan.
The event, which blended a private family celebration with a charity outreach for children with disabilities, was initially praised for its humanitarian message. However, attention quickly shifted after reports emerged that Namyalo had unveiled a brand-new luxury SUV reportedly worth around Shs 300 million.
The vehicle, identified as a Jetour, is among the latest models recently introduced into the Ugandan market. Its unveiling at the event triggered widespread discussion on social media, with many Ugandans questioning how a public official could afford such a high-value asset.
Critics argued that the cost of the vehicle appeared inconsistent with the expected earnings of a government advisor, while others called for transparency regarding additional income sources among senior public officials.
In response to the growing pressure, Namyalo reportedly presented historical bank statements from Centenary Bank, arguing that the documents demonstrate she had substantial financial capacity prior to her current role at ONC.
The statement shown covers transactions from July 2022 and reflects significant activity on her account. It indicates an opening cash deposit of Shs 35 million, followed by multiple withdrawals and transaction deductions in the days that followed. Later entries show another large deposit of Shs 60 million, which pushed the account balance to nearly Shs 90 million at its peak during the recorded period.
Namyalo maintains that the financial records are evidence that she was already financially stable before assuming her current government position, rejecting insinuations that her wealth is linked to her service in the Office of the National Chairman.
However, the documents have also sparked further debate, with sections of the public arguing that a limited snapshot of transactions may not fully explain long-term wealth accumulation or the broader sources of income behind high-value purchases.
So far, Namyalo has not issued a detailed public statement addressing the online controversy beyond the release of the documents.
The development has once again placed a spotlight on the increasing scrutiny of public officials’ lifestyles in Uganda, particularly when displays of wealth intersect with political visibility. Analysts say the controversy reflects a growing demand for accountability and transparency, especially among individuals occupying influential positions within government structures.
As the debate continues online, the incident has evolved beyond a private family celebration into a broader public conversation about wealth, perception, and public service ethics in Uganda’s political space.
