A quiet but fierce political storm is brewing in Western Uganda as city tycoon and National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) member Hassan Basajjabalaba reportedly moves to front his son, Iddi Basajjabalaba, in a calculated bid to challenge Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa a man he considered his political rival.
The development stems from the fallout that followed the chaotic NRM Entrepreneurs League elections held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where Basajjabalaba faced off against fellow businessman King Ceasor Mulenga for the influential position of CEC chairperson in charge of the Entrepreneurs League.
The polls were annulled over irregularities, and the matter escalated to State House, where President Yoweri Museveni intervened to calm tensions.
After a closed-door meeting with the President, both contenders Basajjabalaba and Mulenga agreed to end their rivalry, with the latter conceding the seat to Basajjabalaba in the name of party unity.
The truce, however, left bitterness in its wake.
Rift
At the center of the new political tension is Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who reportedly backed his longtime friend King Ceasor Mulenga during the heated Entrepreneurs League contest.
The move angered many within Greater Igara, the sub-region both Tayebwa and Basajjabalaba call home, who viewed the Deputy Speaker’s choice as a betrayal of regional solidarity.
Sources within the NRM say the fallout has since turned personal. Basajjabalaba known for his political clout, deep pockets, and ability to mobilize is now quietly assembling support networks aimed at propelling his son, Iddi Basajjabalaba, to Parliament under the NRM ticket for Bushenyi–Ishaka Municipality, and possibly positioning him as a future contender for the Deputy Speaker’s seat.
“Basajjabalaba feels slighted. Supporting Mulenga, who hails from Kisoro, against a son of Igara was seen as a political insult. His response is strategic, he’s investing in his son’s political career to counter Tayebwa’s growing influence,” a source close to the businessman told this publication.
Money
In Western Uganda, holding the NRM flag is often seen as a near-guarantee to Parliament, and with Basajjabalaba’s wealth and reach, observers believe his son’s prospects are strong.
Insiders say the tycoon has already begun early mobilization, reaching out to key party delegates and business leaders across the region.
NRM’s internal elections have long been criticized for being heavily influenced by money, and political analysts believe Basajjabalaba could leverage his resources to tilt the balance of power.
“In NRM today, loyalty is transactional. Whoever controls the money often controls the voters and in this case of Tayebwa and Basajja it’s the MPs,” one analyst noted.
Cold War
The rivalry between Tayebwa and Basajjabalaba could reshape the internal power dynamics of the ruling party in Western Uganda. Tayebwa, seen as one of the President’s trusted younger lieutenants, has built a strong base since becoming Deputy Speaker in 2021.
But with Basajjabalaba now in control of the NRM Entrepreneurs League a platform connecting thousands of business-minded members his influence may expand beyond Bushenyi.
Party insiders fear that if the rift deepens, it could fracture unity within the NRM’s western bloc ahead of the 2026 general elections. Others, however, believe that both men will eventually reconcile under President Museveni’s directive, as has been the case with many internal disputes.
For now, the political cold war remains mostly behind closed doors, but insiders say the tension is real and growing.
What began as a disagreement over an internal party election has morphed into a quiet power struggle one that could see Basajjabalaba’s son rise as the symbol of his father’s political revenge.
If the businessman’s mobilization succeeds, Tayebwa may soon find himself fighting for his political life not in Parliament, but in his own backyard.