KABALE UGANDA: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat has reinstated State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives David Bahati as the party’s Kabale District chairperson, allowing him to resume his duties after stepping aside to contest as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections.
In a letter dated October 15, 2026, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong directed party administrators in Kabale, Amuria, Kyankwanzi and Kyegegwa districts to allow party leaders who had stepped aside under similar circumstances to resume their duties with immediate effect.
Todwong explained that the decision followed further consideration by the party’s Central Executive Committee of leaders who had contested in the 2026 general elections as independent candidates after participating in the NRM primaries held in August 2025.
“Following further consideration of the matter, the affected persons who had stepped aside from their leadership positions may resume their duties with immediate effect,” Todwong stated in the letter.
The communication was addressed to NRM party administrators in the four affected districts, with copies sent to the party’s national chairperson, members of the Central Executive Committee and senior officials at the secretariat.
Kabale District NRM administrator Amos Rwansheija confirmed receipt of the directive, saying arrangements were underway to implement the decision.
“I have received the communication from the NRM party Secretary General in regard to the party leaders that had stepped aside, and plans are underway to have it implemented,” Rwansheija said.
Kabale District NRM General Secretary Edison Turyahabwa welcomed Bahati’s reinstatement, saying his return would help address the leadership gap that emerged when he stepped aside.
According to Turyahabwa, the party’s vice-chairperson had been assigned to serve as acting chairperson during Bahati’s absence, but no one had been appointed to take over the vice-chairperson’s responsibilities.
“When Mr Bahati stepped aside to contest as an independent candidate, the vice-chairperson was assigned to take over the position in an acting capacity, and there was nobody assigned to take charge of the office of the vice-chairperson,” Turyahabwa said.
He added that the district leadership was pleased with Bahati’s return and pledged to support him as he completes his term.
“We are so happy to receive Mr Bahati in his capacity as our district party chairman, and we pledge to give him maximum support so that he can complete his term of office,” he said.
Bahati’s Political Setback in Ndorwa West
Bahati was elected NRM Kabale District chairperson in May 2025 after securing 528 votes against his only challenger, Andrew Aja Baryayanga, who received 48 votes.
However, his political fortunes shifted during the NRM primaries for the Ndorwa West parliamentary seat, where he lost to Eliab Naturinda Mporera, a 37-year-old Kampala-based lawyer, farmer and real estate entrepreneur.
Mporera secured 25,027 votes against Bahati’s 23,759, defeating the minister by a margin of 1,268 votes. Edward Mwesigwa came a distant third with 416 votes.
Following the primary defeat, Bahati chose to contest as an independent candidate in the general elections held on January 15, 2026, prompting him to step aside from his position as NRM Kabale District chairperson.
However, he was also defeated in the general election by Mporera, who secured 22,601 votes against Bahati’s 17,282, according to results declared by the Kabale District Electoral Commission returning officer.
Independent candidate Boaz Abomugisha Rugirehi received 80 votes, while Gilbert Bigwera polled 43 votes.
Bahati’s reinstatement now allows him to return to the district party leadership as the NRM continues to manage the consequences of its primary and general election contests.
