Entebbe – Embattled businessman Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba is facing a torrid time at State House Entebbe as the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) vetting team grill him over his tainted record ahead of Monday’s crucial polls.
According to sources familiar with the closed-door session chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who doubles as the NRM national chairman, Basajjabalaba struggled to explain why his name is attached to what one official described as “every mother of scandals that has ever rocked Uganda.”
“The chairman asked him directly about the forged signature scandal,” a senior source revealed, referring to the infamous case in which Basajjabalaba was accused of forging Museveni’s signature to secure a massive sham compensation exceeding Shs142 billion. “He had no convincing answers and the room was not impressed.”
Another official present at the grilling said the Ishaka tycoon appeared nervous and evasive. “Every time the committee raised a case from dubious university dealings to shady market compensations to the forgery of the President’s signature, he could not defend himself. The problem is his name is permanently linked to corruption and scandal,” the source added.
CEC insiders say the pressure on Basajjabalaba is enormous as delegates countrywide have already rejected his bid to return as Chairman of the NRM Entrepreneurs League. “He wants to sit on the party’s eating table representing entrepreneurs but the truth is the very people he claims to represent are calling for his removal,” said a member of the vetting team.
As of yesterday evening, only one contender for the Entrepreneurs League chairmanship had been cleared by the vetting committee while Basajjabalaba’s fate remained “hanging in balance.”
“There are voices within the team saying he should step down voluntarily because his image is too tainted. If we clear him, what message do we send about our party’s ideals on integrity and corruption?” a top-ranking source asked.
The vetting process continues this weekend but for Basajjabalaba, observers say the criminal baggage of his past could prove too heavy to carry into the Monday vote.
Related posts:
- Why NRM Entrepreneurs Delegates Must Reject Hassan Basajjabalaba: The UMSC Power Struggle Exposed a Man Unfit for Leadership
- Greater Bushenyi NRM Delegates Break Silence- “Basajjabalaba Turuhiire Otaahe”
- West Nile NRM Entrepreneurs Delegates Say Basajjabalaba Too Incompetent to Address Their Problems
- Kigezi Delegates Tell Basajjabalaba: For Your Own Health, Don’t Show Up at Kololo
