By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry) and incumbent MP for Ndorwa West has declared that he will run to defend his seat in the 2026 general elections despite losing in the Party Primaries.
David Bahati, also Kabale district party chairman made the declaration on Sunday, 19th October, 2025 while addressing Party leaders and supporters at the District offices.
Prior to the address, dozens of NRM leaders and supporters lined Kabale’s main road to welcome Bahati, whose convoy snaked through the town.
Speaking later at the party offices, Bahati—who lost the NRM Party primary for Ndorwa West in July 2025—said he will run as an independent, but urged supporters to back President Museveni while mobilizing votes for him ahead of the 2026 elections.
Bahati lost to Kampala-based lawyer, Eliab Naturinda Mporera who got 25,027 votes, representing a 50.9 per cent win against Bahati’s 23,759 votes (48.3 per cent).
However, Bahati has since disputed the outcome citing irregularities and this decision comes after what he calls wide consultations.
