Paul Bajje Baite, a professional land surveyor and graduate of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, has formally declared his intention to contest for the Bukono County parliamentary seat on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket.
His nomination, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, marks the beginning of a campaign grounded in promises of responsive leadership, infrastructural revival, and equitable access to government programmes.
Baite, the son of renowned Busoga political figure Baite Munobwa, hails from Ivukula Town Council and brings with him a blend of technical expertise and generational political legacy.
His entry into the race has been met with considerable enthusiasm, particularly among constituents eager for change from what many describe as years of marginalisation and unfulfilled promises.
Addressing a crowd of supporters shortly after his nomination, Baite spoke with conviction about the growing disconnect between the people of Bukono and their current representative. He criticised what he described as a pattern of transactional politics, where constituents are pacified with handouts rather than empowered through sustainable development.
“There is a widening gap between leaders and the people,” Baite said. “Many residents have been reduced to recipients of stipends for survival. We must correct that and rebuild trust in leadership through tangible service delivery.”
At the heart of his campaign is a commitment to fighting poverty, which continues to affect more than half the population in the constituency.
Baite also highlighted the acute need for access to clean water and affirmed that he had successfully lobbied for a piped water project. In the education sector, he pledged to establish global partnerships to elevate the quality of learning and improve performance in schools across Bukono.
A strong advocate of the Parish Development Model (PDM), Baite expressed concern over what he called the politicisation of the initiative. He said access to PDM funds should not be based on political allegiance, and pledged to champion broader access to ensure all qualifying residents benefit.
The PDM, a flagship government programme aimed at transforming subsistence households into income-generating entities, was recently endorsed by President Yoweri Museveni during a tour of Busoga. While addressing residents in Namutumba District in January 2025, the president urged beneficiaries to “guard the programme” and invest in productive ventures that could guarantee long-term returns.
Baite’s campaign also enjoys the quiet but influential backing of his father, Baite Munobwa, whose long-standing service in Busoga kingdom affairs and national politics remains a source of credibility. That connection is seen by many as an asset in consolidating local support ahead of the high-stakes NRM primaries scheduled for July 16, 2025.
The Bukono Constituency, which comprises three town councils — Nangonde, Ivukula, and Kibale — and four sub-counties — Nangonde, Ivukula, Kibale, and Nabweyo — is poised for a competitive race.
The contest for the NRM flag has drawn notable names, including the incumbent Member of Parliament and State Minister for Lands, Hon. Persis Namuganza, as well as Hajji Siraj Kirya Gusongoire and Emmanuel Maganda Katoko.
“This is not politics as usual,” one supporter remarked after the nomination ceremony. “People are tired of being spoken at. Baite speaks with us, and more importantly, he listens.”
As the primaries approach, all eyes will be on Bukono to see whether Baite’s message of inclusion, service, and disciplined leadership will translate into political momentum strong enough to unseat an entrenched incumbent.
For now, the campaign trail in Namutumba has grown more spirited, and expectations among the electorate are rising.
