Incumbent Ndorwa West MP David Bahati has been officially nominated as an independent candidate following a narrow defeat in the NRM primaries in July.
Speaking after his nomination, Bahati drew comparisons to President Museveni’s decision to go to the bush in 1980, stating his disagreement with the July primary results and asserting that he will continue serving as Kabale District NRM chairman despite running independently.
Mr Museveni went to the bush in 1980 protesting results of the controversial elections and now his State Minister for Trade and Cooperatives has invoked the same, only that for Bahati, it is not the bush but independent push.
Bahati, who has served in Parliament for 20 years, lost the NRM flagbearer race to political newcomer Eliab Naturinda Mporera on July 17, 2025.
Official results showed Mporera winning with 25,027 votes (50.9%) to Bahati’s 23,759 (48.3%), a slim margin that has fueled Bahati’s defiance.
The defeat was compounded by generational fatigue and voter calls for accountability, fresh ideas, and the retirement of long-serving incumbents.
NRM rules do not permit officeholders to contest as independents, and President Museveni has repeatedly warned that defying party decisions risks internal isolation and loss of appointments.
Yet Bahati, a longtime loyalist and key ally of the President, appears ready to test those limits.
Observers note parallels to Dr Elioda Tumwesigye’s 2021 path in Sheema, where independent bids after primary defeats ended in political marginalisation.
Despite the risks, Bahati’s significant grassroots networks, public profile, and decades-long parliamentary experience make him a formidable contender.
Bahati’s tenure includes sponsorship of high-profile legislation such as the 2009 Anti-Homosexuality Bill and prior service as State Minister for Finance (Planning) and Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives.
While his record bolsters his conservative base, critics cite stagnation in infrastructure and service delivery as liabilities.
As the political chessboard in Kabale takes shape ahead of the 2026 elections, one thing is clear: Bahati’s next move will either mark a dramatic political rebirth or a final bow in a two-decade-long parliamentary career.
Ndorwa West—and the NRM—is watching closely.
