Kampala, Uganda – The National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Entrepreneurs League has been plunged into turmoil following allegations of electoral malpractice ahead of its National Executive Committee (NEC) elections this Thursday. At the heart of the controversy is controversial businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, the newly installed chairman of the league and it’s representative at the Central Executive Committee (CEC), who stands accused of handpicking candidates and manipulating the voting process to consolidate his influence within the league.
The body, established to rally business leaders and private sector players behind NRM initiatives, was meant to exemplify transparent mobilization, but sources claim Basajjabalaba’s actions have instead sown discord and undermined the party’s principles.
The chaos is unfolding ahead of the Thursday election day as Basajjabalaba allegedly orchestrates a scheme to summon just two delegates from each district, ensuring a controlled voter pool that favors his preferred nominees. Insiders describe this as a blatant violation of NRM accreditation guidelines, with delegates reportedly accredited in hotels rather than official venues, bypassing standard protocols.
Bribery, cheating, and the use of fake registers are among the serious charges leveled against him, echoing past accusations from the Central Executive Committee (CEC) polls. There, Basajjabalaba was implicated in bribing District Administrators, deploying fake delegates, forging accreditation cards, sending threatening messages, and swapping names on registers to rig outcomes.
These tactics, critics argue, not only disenfranchise genuine entrepreneurs but also erode the league’s credibility as a platform for economic empowerment under President Yoweri Museveni’s vision.
The NRM Entrepreneurs League, launched to harness business acumen for party growth, now risks becoming a symbol of internal rot, potentially deterring private sector engagement in national development agendas.
President Museveni has repeatedly warned against such practices, emphasizing accountability. In a pointed statement, he cautioned, “Money is poison. When leaders are elected through bribery or cheating, they become unaccountable to the people. That is what caused wars in the past, and we cannot allow it to happen again.
Museveni further vowed that both the party and government would prosecute perpetrators, insisting leadership must stem from persuasion and example, not coercion or financial inducements.
Efforts to reach Basajjabalaba for comment were unsuccessful by press time, leaving the allegations hanging and fueling speculation about his motives. Party sources suggest his actions stem from a desire to maintain a stranglehold on the league’s resources and decision-making, amid broader NRM efforts to unify ahead of the 2026 elections.
This scandal comes at a precarious time for NRM, as it seeks to project unity and integrity to counter opposition narratives. If unaddressed, the Entrepreneurs League fiasco could ripple into wider party fractures, alienating business allies crucial for economic mobilization.
Watchdog Uganda calls for an immediate independent probe to restore trust and uphold Museveni’s anti-corruption stance. As the dust settles, the league’s future hangs in the balance, testing NRM’s resolve to clean house before the polls.
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