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Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality NRM flag bearer Hajj Iddi Bassajabalaba
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Bushenyi
As campaigns heat up for the 2026 general election, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality is emerging as one of the most closely watched constituencies in the region.
Created in 2010, the municipality is now witnessing a competitive parliamentary race, with candidates presenting different visions for development, service delivery, and local representation.
At the centre of attention is AlHajj Hassan Basajjabalaba, a prominent businessman whose influence in the municipality is widely acknowledged. His son, Iddi Basajjabalaba, recently secured the ruling NRM flagbearer ticket, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest in a constituency that has seen frequent changes in leadership.
Since its creation in 2010, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality has had four Members of Parliament:
The current MP, Derrick Kabuura Baimukye, recently announced that he will not seek another term, opening the field and increasing the competition between Basajjabalaba and Ndyakira.
Edwin Twinomugisha- Independent
The parliamentary race has drawn a diverse field. Aside from Hajj Iddi Basajjabalaba (NRM), contenders include Denis Twahika (Independent), Nicholas Muhereza Ndyakira (Independent), Godfrey Beinomugisha (NUP), Edwin Namanya (FDC), Edwin Twinomugisha (Independent), and Cathbert Tukundane (Independent).
While each brings a unique appeal, the spotlight remains on Ndyakira and Basajjabalaba, whose rivalry has become a defining feature of the campaign.
The Basajjabalaba Factor
AlHajj Hassan Basajjabalaba, a well-known businessman and the district NRM chairperson, has long played a significant role in local politics. His backing is credited with influencing election outcomes, especially in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality.
In the July 2025 NRM primaries, Iddi Basajjabalaba won decisively with 13,765 votes, about 73 percent of the vote. However, the results were contested. Nicholas Muhereza Ndyakira raised concerns about irregularities, including restricted access for party agents and issues with campaign materials and voter bribery.
After the NRM Electoral Tribunal upheld Iddi’s win, Ndyakira launched an independent bid, promising to focus on service delivery and development. His campaign revolves around a five-point “Bushenyi Rebirth Agenda,” which emphasizes youth and women empowerment, infrastructure development, and accountable governance, while Iddi Basajjabalaba’s manifesto focuses on job creation, access to better health care, and improved education.
Ndyakira, a respected lawyer, former presidential advisor on legal affairs, and lecturer at Uganda Christian University, argues that voters in the municipality want leadership that prioritizes development and inclusivity over political legacy.
Nicholas Muhereza Ndyakira
Challenges Facing the Municipality
Bushenyi-Ishaka faces several infrastructural and governance challenges that candidates are addressing in their campaigns:
Lack of a Physical Development Plan: Since becoming a municipality, Ishaka has operated without a formal plan, which has limited its access to major development funding. Municipal leaders estimate that about UGX 500 million is required to draft the plan.
According to Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Mayor Richard Byaruhanga, the authorities have now embarked on developing a Physical Development Plan in preparation for the expected rollout of the USMID project next year.
Byaruhanga acknowledged that financial constraints had delayed the municipality’s ability to put the plan in place.
Poor Waste Management: The municipality generates about 40 tonnes of solid waste daily, yet only around 65 percent is properly collected, leading to clogged drainage channels and occasional disease outbreaks.
The Kabagarame dumping site, the main disposal point, is open, unprotected, and unsorted, creating a serious health and environmental hazard. Residents often scavenge there without protection, while the municipality’s only compression truck has been non-functional for years.
Despite a 2023 Presidential Executive Order mandating garbage skips every 200 metres, the municipality has largely ignored this approach. Instead, residents pay a small user fee for collection services, but uptake remains low.
Drainage Issues: Clogged waterways exacerbate poor sanitation, contributing to flooding and disease risks during heavy rains.
Low Local Revenue: According to the Local Government Quarterly Performance Report (FY 2024/25 Q2), the municipality collected UGX 387.7 million—only 26 percent of its target of UGX 1.49 billion. Parking fees contribute over 40 percent of revenue, but collection underperformed due to weak enforcement and management challenges.
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