In a bold political move, former Kabale Municipality MP, Hon. Aja Andrew Baryayanga, has officially thrown his hat into the ring, announcing his candidacy for the NRM Party Chairmanship in Kabale District. This sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown with the current NRM District Chairman, Hon. David Bahati, who also serves as the State Minister for Cooperatives and MP for Ndorwa West County.
During an exclusive interview with our reporter, Hon. Aja expressed deep concerns about the current state of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Kabale. He pointed to internal divisions and what he sees as weak leadership, which he believes have eroded the party’s once dominant position in the district.
“It’s time to save the party from internal fights and weak leadership,” Hon. Aja declared. “Kabale, once a strong NRM district, has slowly been losing ground to other parties, and I can’t sit back and watch this happen. I am ready to step up and lead the NRM in Kabale back to its glory days ahead of the 2026 elections.”
Hon. Aja’s roots in the NRM run deep. His father, the late Stephen Baryayanga, was a significant figure in the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), which later evolved into the NRM under President Yoweri Museveni. The UPM in Kigezi was bolstered by influential mobilizers like Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda and Hon. Amama Mbabazi, both of whom became Prime Ministers of Uganda, as well as the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, who later became Governor of the Bank of Uganda.
“I’m proud to be a child of the NRM,” Hon. Aja stated, reflecting on his family’s deep ties to the party. “Even when I ran as an independent in Kabale Municipality, it was because my NRM victory was stolen, but I was still mobilizing for the party.”
Hon. Aja’s challenge is aimed directly at the leadership of Hon. David Bahati, who has held the NRM chairmanship in Kabale for two terms. With both men being highly popular and well-resourced, the upcoming contest is expected to be fiercely competitive.
The role of NRM District Chairperson is critical, as the holder must unite the party, organize supporters, and mobilize for upcoming elections. As Kabale District holds a strong political history, maintaining the NRM’s strength and coherence is seen as essential, making this leadership contest one to watch closely.
With Hon. Aja’s candidacy now official, Kabale is bracing for a fierce political battle that could shape the future of the NRM in the region as the 2026 general elections approach.
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