President Yoweri Museveni has named Bonny Kashaija, a politician who recently lost the NRM primaries in Mbarara City, as the new head of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Kashaija takes over from Joverine Kaliisa, the former Ibanda District Woman MP, who has been serving as the National Deputy Coordinator for PDM.
The appointment followed a meeting between President Museveni and two defeated incumbents from Mbarara, Hon. Kashaija and Hon. Michael Tusiime. Both men lost in the recent primaries—Kashaija to Rita Akatukwasa and Tusiime to Christopher Bakashaba.
Amid concerns that they might run as independent candidates, the two were persuaded during a mediation process led by Uganda’s UN Ambassador, Adonia Ayebare, to stay within the party.
Museveni praised their decision, saying:
“I want to thank Hon. Michael Tusiime and Hon. Bonny Kashaija for patriotically agreeing not to stand for elections as independents in order not to divide our people.”
He acknowledged their concerns about the primaries, which they had described as having a “criminal angle,” but reassured them that he would address the grievances.
The President added: “They have agreed not to contest as independents in order not to divide our party and people, and I am very happy with them. I have deployed Kashaija to do the work of PDM, replacing Kaliisa, who was there, and I will see how to deploy Tusiime as well.”
In his response, Kashaija pledged loyalty to the ruling party and commitment to his new assignment.
“I promise that I will work tirelessly to promote the NRM. We shall be at the forefront,” he said, citing his dedication to the President’s 4-acre model—a cornerstone of the PDM intended to lift Ugandans out of poverty.
Tusiime also echoed the spirit of unity, stressing the need to focus on poverty eradication through public education.
Kaliisa, whom Kashaija replaces, previously served as Ibanda Woman MP from 2016 to 2021 and was again an aspirant in the 2021–2026 elections, though unsuccessful.