The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat has reinstated Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives David Bahati as the party’s chairman for Kabale District.
Bahati had reportedly been required to step aside after choosing to contest independently for the Ndorwa West parliamentary seat, a move that affected his position within the ruling party.
His reinstatement restores him to the district party leadership position he won during the May 2025 elections.
“Reference is made to the earlier communication from the office of the Secretary General conveying the decision of the Central Executive Committee requiring certain party leaders who contested in the national general elections as independent candidates after participating in the NRM party primary elections of August 2025, to step aside from their respective leadership positions pending further consideration by the Central Executive Committee. I am now directed to inform you that, following further consideration of the matter, the affected persons who had stepped aside from their leadership positions may resume their duties with immediate effect,” the NRM party Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, said in his letter dated October 15, addressed to the NRM party administrators for Kabale, Amuriat, Kyankwanzi and Kyegegwa, copied to the NRM national chairperson, member of the Central Executive Committee and member of the NRM Secretariat top management.
The Kabale District NRM party administrator, Mr Amos Rwansheija, acknowledged receipt of the Secretary General’s directive, adding that plans were underway to have it implemented.
“I have received the communication from the NRM party Secretary General in regard to the party leaders that had stepped aside and plans are underway to have it implemented,” Mr Rwansheija said.
The Kabale NRM party general secretary, Mr Edison Turyahabwa, welcomed the decision of the NRM party secretariat, saying that it will fill the leadership vacuum that was created when their chairman, Mr Bahati, stepped aside to contest as an independent candidate.
The decision marks a development in the party’s handling of Bahati’s political status following his decision to pursue the parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.
