By George Bukenya
National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Balimwezo Ronald Nsubuga has put to an end to the era of seasoned lawyer Erias Lukwaga after being officially declared the winner of the Kampala Capital City Lord Mayoral race. The Eng. Come politician secured an overwhelming majority votes in the 2026 Local Government Council elections.
According to the official Return Form for Transmission of Results issued by the Kampala City Returning Officer, Balimwezo canvassed 141,220 votes, more than doubling his two closed challengers the incumbent and NRM’s Kizito Moses.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), who gained 41,915 votes, while Kizito Moses Nsubuga of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) beat the incumbent to the second position with 43,615 votes.
Other candidates trailed far behind, with Mao Beatrice of the Democratic Party (DP) securing only 2,162 votes, Naggayi Nabilah Sempala running as an independent received 1,854 votes, Kasozi Ibrahim Biribawa of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) polling 1,427 votes, Kibalama Eddie Bazira (Independent) obtained 188 votes, and Yamureebire Jothan (Independent) managed 119 votes.
The Returning Officer reported that a total of 232,500 valid votes were cast. In addition, 3,527 ballots were rejected, bringing the total number of ballots counted to 236,027, while 1,047 ballot papers were recorded as spoilt.
In line with the Local Governments Act and electoral regulations governing city leadership, the Returning Officer formally declared Balimwezo Ronald Nsubuga the duly elected Kampala Lord Mayor, citing his commanding lead over all other contenders.
The results were signed, stamped, and officially declared at MUBS Playgrounds on January 23, 2026, marking a decisive political victory for NUP in the capital and reinforcing the party’s growing influence in urban local government politics.