KAMPALA, UGANDA – The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has confirmed Al Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba as the unopposed Chairperson of the NRM Entrepreneurs League for the 2025-2031 term, a significant move to quell internal party discord.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The decision was reached during a high-level dialogue meeting held at State Lodge Nakasero, convened by President Yoweri Museveni and facilitated by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
The resolution, reached at the reconciliation meeting that brought together all contesting candidates, brings a decisive end to an electoral process that was abruptly suspended just days earlier.
The highly anticipated election, scheduled to take place at Kololo Independence Grounds, was called off by President Museveni himself following serious allegations of bribery and delegate manipulation.
The chaos that erupted at the venue was largely attributed to a fierce rivalry between two of the league’s wealthiest contenders: Hassan Basajjabalaba and King Ceasor Augustus Mulenga.
At the meeting, the main contenders, including Basajjabalaba, Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari (President of the Uganda Chamber of Commerce), and Sanjay Tanna, a prominent advocate for investor-friendly policies, agreed to unconditionally endorse Basajjabalaba as the league’s unopposed chairperson.
The diverse field of aspirants also included Philip Kwijuka Kakuru, Mukesh Babubhai Shukla, Gyaviira Ssemwanga, who focuses on youth entrepreneurship and Sacco expansion, and Edson Ruyondo.
King Ceasor Mulenga, whose contestation with Basajjabalaba had precipitated the election’s suspension, was also present and part of the collective endorsement.
President Museveni, who is also the NRM National Chairman, welcomed the endorsement and expressed his gratitude to the other aspirants for what he termed their “selfless act.”
He specifically commended Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for his pivotal role in mediating between the factions and brokering the agreement that averted a potentially damaging internal party conflict.
The party now hopes this consensus will allow the Entrepreneurs League to focus on its core mandate of mobilizing the business community behind the NRM’s agenda and addressing the economic interests of its members.
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