KAMPALA, Uganda — National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo has been declared the new Lord Mayor of Kampala, unseating long-serving incumbent Erias Lukwago and bringing an end to his 15-year leadership of the city’s political office.
The declaration comes after a tense and closely watched vote count that captivated Ugandans nationwide.
Balimwezo was confirmed as the winner on January 23, 2026, by Jennifer Kyobutungi, the Kampala District Returning Officer, at the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) tally centre in Nakawa.
The extended tallying process kept supporters and residents on edge for more than two days following the January 22 local government elections.
According to official results, Balimwezo secured a commanding 141,220 votes, the highest among the eight candidates. His closest rivals, Moses Kizito Nsubuga of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and incumbent Lukwago of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), trailed with 43,615 and 41,915 votes respectively. Other contestants polled fewer than 5,000 votes combined.
Balimwezo’s victory represents a continuation of opposition strength in Kampala, a city that has long leaned toward non-NRM leadership.
Residents have repeatedly chosen candidates outside the ruling party in local and national polls, sustaining Kampala’s reputation as a political stronghold for reform-oriented and opposition figures.
Shift in leadership and vision for Kampala
In remarks shortly after his victory, Balimwezo, who previously served as Mayor of Nakawa Division and Member of Parliament for Nakawa East, emphasised unity and continuity. He said he plans to draw on the experience of his predecessor.
“I will knock on your doors because you are experienced and you have done a lot for this city. I thank you for the great service you have offered to Kampala,” Balimwezo said, signalling a respectful transition.
He also expressed gratitude to supporters and party leadership, including NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), for backing his candidacy. “I particularly thank our president Bobi Wine for believing in me and giving me a chance to represent the National Unity Platform,” Balimwezo added.
The electoral outcome has been interpreted as both an endorsement of Balimwezo’s grassroots campaign and a reflection of voter appetite for change in Kampala’s governance, particularly around chronic urban issues such as traffic congestion, waste management and infrastructure deficits.
In interviews, residents expressed confidence in the new mayor’s promise to tackle these long-standing challenges.
End of an era at City Hall
Lukwago, a veteran lawyer and politician, had served as Lord Mayor since Kampala’s transition from a city council to a city authority in 2011.
His tenure was marked by persistent advocacy for decentralised governance and frequent clashes with central government authorities over policy and resource allocation.
Despite his long incumbency, Lukwago faced criticism from some quarters for perceived confrontational politics and alleged difficulties in working with national institutions on development projects.
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Household concerns such as roads, drainage and garbage management remained prominent on the campaign trail and in public expectations heading into the 2026 elections.
With the declaration now official, Balimwezo is expected to be sworn in in the coming weeks.
Observers say his tenure will be closely watched as a test of whether a younger generation of opposition leadership can deliver on governance and service improvements in one of East Africa’s largest and most dynamic capitals.
