Ronald Balimwezo has officially been declared the new Kampala Lord Mayor, sealing a historic victory that brings an end to Erias Lukwago’s 15-year dominance at City Hall.
Running on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, Balimwezo cruised to victory with 141,220 votes, defeating longtime incumbent Lukwago, who contested this time under the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). In a shocking twist, Lukwago finished third, trailing behind the NRM candidate in a race that has completely reshaped the capital’s political landscape.
Balimwezo’s rise has been years in the making. He first made his mark as a Local Council chairman before winning the Nakawa Division Mayoral seat in 2011 and defending it again in 2016. In 2021, he stepped onto the national stage after being elected Nakawa East MP on the NUP ticket.
Now, he has conquered the biggest seat in Kampala’s local governance.
Throughout his campaign, Balimwezo repeatedly told voters that Kampala’s problems need technical solutions, not just politics.
A trained civil engineer by profession, he sold himself as the man to fix broken roads, chaotic planning, flooding, and governance inefficiencies that have long frustrated city residents.And voters clearly bought into the message
For Erias Lukwago, the loss marks the closing of a long chapter. First elected Lord Mayor in 2011, he became one of Kampala’s most recognisable political figures. But after 15 years, the city has now chosen a new direction.
With victory confirmed, Balimwezo is set to take control of City Hall, chair the KCCA council, and steer Kampala into what his supporters are calling a “technocratic revolution”.
All eyes are now on how the engineer-turned-politician will deliver on his bold promises.
