NRM Entrepreneurs League Polls Rocked by Claims of Delegate Fraud and Handpicked Candidates

A storm has erupted within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Entrepreneurs League ahead of the National Executive Committee elections, with fresh allegations linking controversial businessman and politician Hassan Basajjabalaba to election malpractice and manipulation.

Basajjabalaba, who controversially returned as unopposed chairman for the 2025–2031 term, is accused of orchestrating a desperate election-day maneuver by handpicking his own staff and relatives for key positions, while also summoning more than 500 delegates—many of whom insiders allege are not officially accredited.

Alleged Manipulation of Executive Committee

According to credible sources, Basajjabalaba is said to have directly selected candidates for top positions in the Entrepreneurs League National Executive Committee, including:

Wagooli Dominic – National Vice Chairperson Eastern Uganda

Hajji Abdul Bisaso – Publicity Secretary

Bosco Mugambagye – Kampala Representative 

Prossy Kagabi – Western Uganda Representative

A video circulating on social media allegedly shows Basajjabalaba’s chosen candidates campaigning under his direct endorsement. Reports further suggest that delegates are being coerced to vote for his preferred candidates before receiving financial inducements—a move that contradicts the NRM’s core principles of transparency and accountability.

Repeat of Past Controversies

This is not the first time Basajjabalaba has been at the center of electoral controversy. In the recently concluded NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections, he faced accusations of:

Bribing district administrators to alter accreditation processes

Deploying fake delegates with forged accreditation cards

Circulating fake registers and swapping names of genuine delegates

Sending threatening text messages to opponents

The latest allegations suggest that he is summoning two delegates from each of the 151 NRM districts to influence the Entrepreneurs League polls scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Efforts to reach Basajjabalaba for a comment on these allegations were unsuccessful by press time.

CEC Guidelines and Decentralized Polls

The CEC of the NRM, chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, directed that the upcoming elections for both the Youth League and Entrepreneurs League National Executives, along with parliamentary flag bearers representing youth, be conducted decentrally.

According to a circular signed by NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, the polls will take place simultaneously across all 151 NRM districts. Voting will be done by lining up behind candidates at district headquarters starting at 9:00 a.m.

Delegates eligible to vote include:

NRM Members of Parliament representing youth

District Executive Committees of both Youth and Entrepreneurs Leagues

Municipal and city division youth executives

NRM district youth councillors

Sub-county youth league chairpersons

Members of the national executive committees of both leagues

Museveni Warns Against Electoral Malpractice

The unfolding controversy comes barely weeks after President Museveni issued a stern warning against bribery, corruption, and malpractice in internal elections.

Speaking at the NRM National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at State House, Entebbe, on August 23, 2025, Museveni cautioned that election fraud undermines accountability and erodes public trust in leadership.

“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 said, stressing that both party and government would not hesitate to prosecute perpetrators.

What Lies Ahead

With elections scheduled just days away, the allegations against Basajjabalaba threaten to cast a dark shadow over the integrity of the NRM Entrepreneurs League leadership. Party insiders say the situation could escalate into a full-blown dispute unless strong measures are taken to ensure transparency.

For now, the focus shifts to September 18, when all eyes will be on the district headquarters to see whether the CEC directive on clean and decentralized polls will withstand the storm of allegations surrounding Basajjabalaba’s influence.