NRM’s 39th Celebration Turns Violent As Top Museveni Minister Exchange 'Blows ' With Opponent

What was meant to be a happy celebration of the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) 39 years in power turned into a scene of chaos in Kabale Municipality on Sunday. The event at Kabale Main Stadium quickly became a heated clash between two key political figures: State Minister David Bahati and former MP Andrew Baryayanga Aja.

Bahati, who also represents Ndorwa West in Parliament, took the chance to publicly attack Baryayanga. He accused him of causing divisions within the party and claimed that Baryayanga was not even a registered member of NRM. “You are not officially part of NRM, yet you’re spreading confusion,” Bahati said, stressing that such behaviour went against the party’s values. He reminded everyone of NRM’s core principles—Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic Transformation, and Democracy—and highlighted the need for unity and discipline.

Bahati was endorsed as the sole candidate for the position of Kabale District NRM Chairman. However, this endorsement was quickly challenged by Baryayanga, who called it a political trick. “This so-called endorsement did not follow party rules,” he argued, pointing out that the District Executive Committee had not been part of the decision.

Baryayanga did not hold back in his criticism of Bahati’s leadership. He blamed him for NRM’s loss of influence in Kabale, where opposition and independent candidates have taken many leadership roles. “NRM has lost its strength here because Bahati wants to control everything,” he said passionately. He expressed his wish to bring fairness back to the party and restore its influence in the district.

With both Bahati and Baryayanga fighting for control over NRM in Kabale, it is clear that tensions will continue to rise. As the 2026 elections approach, this internal struggle is just beginning, setting the stage for what could be a tough political battle in the coming months.

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