President Museveni (L), with businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba (R) and Deputy Speaker, Rt.Hon Thomas Tayebwa (L) (Photo/PPU)
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has settled internal divisions within its Entrepreneurs League after President Yoweri Museveni endorsed businessman Al Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba as the unopposed Chairperson for the 2025–2031 term.
The endorsement followed a dialogue between Museveni and the candidates who had expressed interest in the position before elections were suspended.
In a statement released on Saturday, August 30, 2025, the President, who also serves as NRM National Chairman, confirmed that consensus had been reached among the aspirants.
“I have met with the candidates for the position of NRM Chairperson of the Entrepreneurs League. They have agreed to unconditionally endorse Al Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba, who is now unopposed,” Mr. Museveni announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Museveni applauded Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, for facilitating the dialogue and praised the aspirants for putting party interests above personal ambition.
“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,” the President stated.
In a joint letter addressed to the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, and delegates of the league, the aspirants confirmed their decision to step aside in support of Basajjabalaba.
The letter, which was attached to Museveni’s post, was signed by Hon. Sanjay Tanna, Mr. Philip Kakuru, and H.E. King Ceasor Mulenga.
“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,” the letter stated.
“We have done this in the spirit of party unity and cohesion as emphasized by our party chairman,” the candidates added.
Hon. Tayebwa welcomed the development, thanking Museveni for guiding the process to an amicable conclusion.
“Thank you, Mzee, for the fatherly guidance to the candidates. Indeed, solving internal issues amicably makes us stronger as a party. Congratulations Hajji Basajjabalaba,” Tayebwa said.
The agreement comes shortly after Museveni suspended the Entrepreneurs League elections following chaos at Kololo, where disagreements and allegations of irregularities disrupted the process.
With the endorsement, Basajjabalaba assumes the leadership of the Entrepreneurs League, a position that automatically secures him a seat on the NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Basajjabalaba, who is widely known for his business empire under the HABA Group and for founding Kampala International University, now takes on a more influential role within the ruling party’s top decision-making organ.
The move is being viewed as a step to restore cohesion within the NRM and strengthen its organizational unity ahead of future political contests.
