Kampala City, Uganda: Outgoing Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has conceded defeat in the 2026 Kampala City Lord Mayorship race, accepting the victory of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga and bringing to a close his 15-year stewardship of City Hall.
In a statement released on Saturday, Lukwago thanked the people of Kampala for entrusting him with leadership since 2011, saying his tenure was guided by integrity, accountability, and a commitment to serving the city’s urban poor and indigent communities.
“Notwithstanding the flaws that have marred this process as an integral part of the entire 2026 General Elections, I do hereby accept the outcome of the Kampala Lord Mayorship polls,” Lukwago said.
“I will sign out of the Lord Mayor’s Parlour with a great sense of pride and elation, having offered an indisputably immaculate city stewardship,” he added.
Lukwago highlighted what he described as key achievements of his administration, including principled leadership, protection of public assets from cartels and mafias, and consistent advocacy for the rights of Kampala’s most vulnerable residents.
“I will eternally treasure the strong social bond, trust and love that I have shared with the people of Kampala and beyond over the years, and I wish the best of luck to the newly constituted leadership,” Lukwago said. He pledged to remain engaged in what he termed the broader struggle for social justice, rule of law, and a peaceful, constitutional transition of power.
Lukwago’s tenure, spanning more than a decade, was marked by persistent advocacy for decentralised urban governance and frequent confrontations with central government authorities over the management of Kampala.
Balimwezo was declared winner after polling 141,220 votes, defeating Lukwago who garnered 41,915 votes. National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Moses Kizito Nsubuga finished second with 43,615 votes.
Speaking after his declaration, Balimwezo, a trained civil engineer, struck a conciliatory tone, praising Lukwago’s legacy and pledging to seek his guidance as he assumes office.
“I will knock on your doors because you are experienced and you have done a lot for this city. I also thank you for the great service you have offered to Kampala,” Balimwezo said, describing Lukwago as a “great pillar in the city.”
Balimwezo also thanked the people of Kampala and the National Unity Platform for the mandate, paying tribute to NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu for backing his candidature.
“I particularly thank our president Bobi Wine for believing in me and giving me a chance to represent the National Unity Platform,” he said.
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