KAMPALA. City businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba has sailed through unopposed as chairperson of ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Entrepreneurs League after three other contenders pulled out of the race .
The elections had aborted mid this week after delegates turned rowdy at Kololo Independence Grounds saying the exercise was marred by massive bribery and hiding of delegates by some candidates . This forced the party EC to suspend the exercise until further notice.
But in a joint communiqué dated August 30 , addressed to the chairperson of NRM Electoral Commission Tanga Odoi ,which was signed by the three candidates businessmen sanjay Tanna , Philip Kakuru and King Ceasor Mulenga , Basajjabalaba and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa , the trio agreed to step aside in favour of Basajjabalaba .
“Following a dialogue initiated by H.E Yoweri K Museveni, Chairman of the NRM, and facilitated by Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa ,deputy Speaker of Parliament ,we the undersigned candidates for the position of Chairperson of the NRM Entrepreneurs League , and after meeting our party Chairman on this day, August 30,2025 ,at State Lodge Nakasero , we have unconditionally endorsed Al Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba as the unopposed Chairperson of the NRM
Entrepreneurs League for the period 2025-2031,” reads in the communiqué in part
The trio urged that they had taken the decision “ in spirit of party unity and cohesion as emphasized by our party chairman ,”
The signed communiqué was first shared by Museveni on his microblogging social media platform X(Twitter ) .
Mr Museveni commended Mr Tayebwa for convincing the other candidates to pull out of the race.
“ First , I would like to thank Rt Hon.Thomas Tayebwa for bringing these factions together and thank the aspirants for their foresight . As I often say , it is not just about who is in the position , but what can be achieved . I congratulate Al Hajji Basajjabalaba and commend the other candidates for their selfless act ,” Mr Museveni posted