Kampala – A controversial mess has engulfed the NRM Entrepreneurs League elections after evidence emerged that businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba is suspected of orchestrating a desperate election-day maneuver at the Kololo grounds using fake delegates and hired thugs to disrupt the process and tilt the vote in his favor.
The polls descended into chaos when more than 1200 individuals showed up to vote far exceeding the 750 accredited entrepreneurship delegates expected to cast their ballots. The outrageous numbers sparked immediate alarm among rival aspirants and party officials alike.
Sources allege that Basajjabalaba deployed “non-delegates” who lacked accreditation, and in some cases, only carried forged accreditation cards. Some of these impostors were never on the official Entrepreneurs League register.
Security personnel and party officials were seen physically confronting these individuals when the irregularities became apparent.
A senior campaign team member described the chaos as intentional sabotage.
“He brought in people who have no business here and armed them with bogus tags to overwhelm the process. It was raw manipulation.”
At one point, masked rows erupted with Basajjabalaba’s non delegates some of who attacked security and election officials further escalating tensions and forcing organizers to halt the voting entirely.
The disruption was far more severe than even the rowdy scenes seen in the Youth League race.
These disruptions come on the heels of multiple serious accusations lodged against Basajjabalaba: fake delegates, forged accreditation cards, threatening text messages warning delegates “If you don’t vote for Basajja, they will see” and even claims of delegate names being swapped out, with fake registers circulated to sow confusion.
Though these claims are persistent, they are now gaining urgency under security scrutiny.
Tanga Odoi, the Electoral Commission chairperson, officially suspended the Entrepreneurs League elections, citing “gross irregularities.” The polls will not resume until investigations conclude.
President Yoweri Museveni has described the acts of hiding delegates and flying in unaccredited participants as unacceptable and warned such behavior threatens internal democracy and invites instability.
Basajjabalaba’s shadow hangs heavy over the process. His name already tainted by past scandals from forging President Museveni’s signature in a multi-billion-shilling compensation scandal, to compensation and university related frauds. Observers say his latest tactics now verified as affecting vote credibility could end in disqualification.
The NRM’s top organs face increasing pressure to act decisively. With the party’s internal credibility on the line, commentators warn that restoring trust will require more than rescheduled elections it may demand accountability.
Related posts:
- “He Has Not Been Stealing on Our Behalf”– Busoga NRM Delegates Vow to Reject Basajjabalaba’s Candidacy
- Kampala Traders Urge NRM Delegates to Rescue Entrepreneurs League From Basajjabalaba ‘Man Only Known for Stealing’
- Greater Bushenyi NRM Delegates Break Silence- “Basajjabalaba Turuhiire Otaahe”
- West Nile NRM Entrepreneurs Delegates Say Basajjabalaba Too Incompetent to Address Their Problems
