The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), David Bahati has shocked many after attributing his fainting on Sunday June 23, 2024 to his political opponent as 2026 General Election pressure increases.
He fainted during a fundraising function at Kahungye Catholic Center in Ndorwa West, Kabale district, where he later blamed his opponent Counsel Naturinda Eliab Mporera for early campaigns, and district councillors who are supporting Mporera’s early campaigns.
Minister Bahati, who doubles as the Ndorwa West MP and ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM chairperson Kabale later directed security to restrain his political opponent’s mobilization.
“The councillors that I have heard instead of supporting us the leaders to bring development to our people, they are instead doing the opposite,” Bahati said.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with them. What’s wrong with you, are you really normal?” the man who had just fainted queried the mental health of others, oblivious of the deep irony of the moment.
The minister further warned his opponent to leave the “big seats” for the incumbent leaders, adding that upstarts are not able to handle politics and deliver to the people.
“You leave big things for us. What we want is to do something small and when time comes, you be behind me, even when it’s time for politics you vote me, that’s what we want from you,” Bahati said.
He accused Mporera of starting the race before the start gun had gone and directed the Kabale Resident Commissioner to take serious actions against politicians jumping the political road map gun.
“RDC, we have not reached in campaign period. I have heard of some people diverting boda boda riders, what if I also decided to bring boda boda riders here, would we have had the fundraising? he said.
“It’s not time for voting and the laws are there. If you want to contest invite people at your home and consult them but this issue is putting up a procession does work.
“RDC I have told you if you don’t stop them, me I will use my powers to stop them.”
At the same function, Mporera was initially denied a seat at the high table where the minister was seated, though he was later given one.
Mporera was also denied the opportunity to speak at the event, allegedly on Bahati’s orders.
