NUP’s Balimwezo leads incumbent Lukwago in Kampala results

National Unity Platform candidate Ronald Balimwezo, left, and incumbent Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago of the People’s Front for Freedom are the front-runners in the Kampala mayoral race. Preliminary results from Thursday’s election show Balimwezo leading in several key divisions.

KAMPALA, Uganda — National Unity Platform candidate Ronald Balimwezo took an early lead in the Kampala lord mayoral race Thursday night, pulling ahead of incumbent Erias Lukwago as preliminary results arrived from across the city.

Early tallies from several polling stations showed Balimwezo dominating in traditional opposition strongholds. The election developed into a two-way contest between Lukwago, of the People’s Front for Freedom, and Balimwezo, the outgoing Nakawa East member of Parliament.

Election officials noted low voter turnout compared with the earlier presidential and parliamentary elections. Despite the sparse activity, Balimwezo recorded strong figures in Kawempe, Makindye and Central divisions, as well as parts of Wakiso.

In the Kawempe North area, Balimwezo won most centres at Mbogo Primary School. At the Muge-Nabata polling station, Balimwezo received 59 votes to Lukwago’s 39. At Kigu-Lugo, Balimwezo led 58-31, and at Kamu-Kigo, he garnered 68 votes to Lukwago’s 41.

Balimwezo maintained his momentum at the Yiga’s Parking Yard polling site, where he earned 363 votes to Lukwago’s 108 across seven centres. At Makerere University’s Mitchell Hall, Balimwezo secured 65 votes while Lukwago received 16.

In Makindye West, Balimwezo swept five polling stations at St. Paul Church of Uganda, Katuuso, with totals including 63, 61 and 60 votes per station. Lukwago’s highest tally at those sites was 20 votes. Balimwezo also led in the Central Division, receiving 100 votes at the Radio Uganda polling station compared to 37 for Lukwago.

The ruling National Resistance Movement candidate, Moses Nsubuga, showed strength in specific pockets. At the Fairway-Katonga station, Nsubuga led with 174 votes in one centre, followed by Balimwezo with 160 and Lukwago with 50.

In neighboring Wakiso District, the race for the LC5 chairperson remained close. Early tallies indicated NRM’s Ian Kyeyune and NUP’s Nasifu Najja were in a tight contest.

Official results for the mayoral race are expected by the end of Friday.