Renowned Ugandan businessman Al-Hajji Dr. Hassan Basajjabalaba was nominated on July 3, 2025, to contest for the position of National Chairperson of the Entrepreneurs League within the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) for the 2026-2031 term.
In his remarks following the nomination, Basajjabalaba outlined a bold vision to overhaul Uganda’s tax policies and streamline entrepreneurship, positioning himself as a champion for the country’s business community.
Basajjabalaba, the founder and CEO of the HABA Group of Companies, emphasized that his decades-long experience as a successful entrepreneur makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Entrepreneurs League.
“I have built businesses across education, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and real estate, navigating the challenges that many Ugandan entrepreneurs face,” he said.
“My goal is to create an environment where businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, can thrive without being suffocated by excessive regulations or taxes.”
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A cornerstone of his agenda is reforming Uganda’s tax policies, which he described as a major obstacle to business growth.
“The current tax system places an undue burden on entrepreneurs, stifling innovation and discouraging investment,” Basajjabalaba stated.
He pledged to collaborate closely with the NRM leadership and government stakeholders to advocate for a streamlined tax regime that supports job creation and economic growth.
“Fair and business-friendly tax policies are critical to unlocking Uganda’s entrepreneurial potential,” he added.Beyond tax reforms, Basajjabalaba committed to strengthening the NRM’s Entrepreneurs League by fostering greater collaboration between the party and the business community.
He promised to mobilize entrepreneurs to align with the NRM’s economic vision while addressing practical challenges such as access to credit and market opportunities.
“The Entrepreneurs League must be a platform that empowers business owners to contribute to Uganda’s development,” he said.
Basajjabalaba’s nomination follows his recent election as the NRM Chairperson for Bushenyi District, where he won decisively with 580 votes. His call for unity and teamwork resonated with party members, and he reiterated this message in his bid for the national role.
“Together, we can build a stronger NRM and a more prosperous Uganda,” he said, urging party members to rally behind his vision ahead of the 2026 general elections.
While Basajjabalaba’s business success, including his leadership of Kampala International University, bolsters his candidacy, his past financial controversies, notably a compensation dispute with the Bank of Uganda, may invite scrutiny.
Nevertheless, his focus on practical reforms has sparked optimism among entrepreneurs seeking a voice within the NRM. As the race for the Entrepreneurs League chairmanship heats up, Basajjabalaba’s pledges to reform tax policies and champion entrepreneurship are likely to shape the conversation.
If elected to the CEC, he would play a pivotal role in advancing the NRM’s economic agenda, with implications for Uganda’s business landscape.