Jaffar Basajjabalaba, the LC5 Chairperson of Bushenyi District, has stepped down from the 2026 race following his appointment to a national role ahead of the general elections. His withdrawal leaves Prosper Twebaze, a former radio presenter and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, unchallenged in the upcoming vote.

Basajjabalaba, who had chosen to run as an independent, was soundly defeated in the NRM primaries held in July 2025. Twebaze emerged victorious with a commanding 86.2% compared to Basajjabalaba’s 13.8%.

Speaking during a gathering on Sunday, Basajjabalaba officially confirmed his exit from the race and announced that he had been appointed to serve on both the NRM national task force and the President’s campaign task force for the 2026 elections. He explained that the President had urged him to promote unity within the party and serve as a role model for other district leaders considering independent bids.

Recounting his past political contests, Basajjabalaba said: “I contested against Peter Rwakifari Kibondo in 2016 and Rev. Lauben Mugarura in 2021, both of whom I defeated, but neither stood as independent.” He further revealed that prior to his meeting with the President, he had received calls from Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha of Mbarara Archdiocese and Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni of the Western Ankole Diocese, who both encouraged him to withdraw.

Twebaze welcomed the move, calling it a step towards party cohesion. “We extend special thanks to the NRM National Chairperson, who is also the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for being a unifying factor in the spirit of the NRM mass party. His contribution as a parent cannot be taken for granted,” he said in a statement.

With Basajjabalaba’s exit, Twebaze now joins three other district chairperson candidates, Happy Herbert Mayanja (Ibanda), Alone Turahi (Isingiro), and Jemimah Buhanda (Sheema), who are also running unopposed in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections.