Former Kabale Municipality Member of Parliament, Andrew Baryayanga Aja, has announced his return to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in a surprising turn of events. Baryayanga made his declaration during a gathering for the update of the NRM’s Yellow Book in Kirwa Cell, Kijuguta Ward, Kabale Municipality.
Having served as an independent MP for Kabale Municipality for a decade, from 2011 to 2021, Baryayanga’s decision to rejoin the NRM marks a significant political shift. He had lost his seat in the February 2021 election to FDC’s Dr. Nicholas Thaddeus Kamara.
Baryayanga’s political journey has been marked by independence, having contested in the 2010 NRM Primaries before opting to run as an independent candidate in subsequent elections, which he won both in 2011 and 2016.
Emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability within the ruling party, Baryayanga championed the registration and updating of the NRM’s Yellow Book.
His return to the NRM has stirred political tensions in Kabale Municipality, with Baryayanga citing continued voter demand as a primary reason for his decision. He expressed his intention to contest in the NRM primaries in 2026, driven by calls from constituents to complete stalled projects initiated during his tenure.
Despite his independent status in previous elections, Baryayanga affirmed his loyalty to the NRM, highlighting his consistent support for party initiatives and legislation during his time in parliament.
Dispelling rumors of his departure from the party, Baryayanga reiterated his familial ties to the NRM, citing his late father’s staunch support for the party’s predecessor, the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), and President Museveni during the 1980 election.
Baryayanga’s return to the NRM fold adds a new dimension to the political landscape of Kabale Municipality, setting the stage for forthcoming elections and reshaping political alliances in the region.
