As the dust settles from the fiercely contested presidential and parliamentary elections, Uganda’s political battleground has shifted to district chairperson (LC5), lord mayor and city mayor races, with polls scheduled for tomorrow.
Across several districts, the contests are shaping up as high-stakes showdowns between incumbents and fresh challengers riding on voter fatigue, party realignments and changing political loyalties.
A defining feature of this election cycle is the rise of new faces—many of them victorious in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries last year—who are now taking on long-serving district leaders.
In urban and peri-urban areas, candidates aligned with or backed by the National Unity Platform (NUP) are also expected to put up stiff competition, threatening traditional NRM strongholds.
Voters who backed change during party primaries cited the need for fresh ideas, renewed accountability and improved service delivery at the grassroots—key responsibilities of district chairpersons, who oversee local government operations and act as a bridge between central government and communities.
Mukono: NUP vs NRM in a Changing Political Landscape
Mukono district, where NUP swept parliamentary seats, is one of the hottest LC5 battlegrounds. The race pits NUP’s Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga against former chairperson Francis Lukooya Mukoome of the NRM.
Ssenyonga, a former Mukono South MP, says he deliberately opted for the LC5 seat to directly influence service delivery at the grassroots. His opponent, Lukooya, who served as district chairperson from 2006 to 2016, is banking on experience and nostalgia, promising to revive projects he claims stalled during his absence.
The seat is currently held by Rev Dr Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, who is exiting after losing his parliamentary bid, leaving the district poised for a political transition.
Wakiso: A Test of NUP’s Urban Momentum
In Wakiso—now widely viewed as a NUP stronghold after Kampala—the LC5 contest is primarily between NUP’s Nasifu Najja and NRM’s Ian Kyeyune, a former district chairperson seeking a comeback.
Kyeyune has campaigned on reconciliation and experience, arguing that Wakiso needs inclusive leadership. However, political analyst John Kakande says reclaiming the seat will not be easy, noting Kyeyune’s long political history in the district.
Najja, currently the Wakiso district speaker, faces a different challenge—limited visibility beyond the council chambers. Analysts say his fortunes may largely depend on how effectively NUP mobilises its strong grassroots base.
Tororo: Incumbent Under Pressure Amid Administrative Changes
In Tororo, incumbent NRM chairperson John Okea faces a three-pronged challenge from Paul Gonza (FDC) and independents John Obbo and John Oluka.
The race comes against the backdrop of Government’s decision to elevate Tororo municipality to city status and create new districts to accommodate both the Jopadhola and Iteso communities—an administrative shift that has added political sensitivity to the contest.
Okea is campaigning on continuity under the NRM banner, pledging to protect past gains while pushing for economic transformation.
Yumbe: A Rematch with Old Scores to Settle
Yumbe district presents a political rematch, with incumbent NRM chairperson Abdulmutalib Mahamoud Asiku facing his predecessor, Yassin Taban, now running as an independent.
Asiku, who took office in 2021, says he will consolidate gains in health, education and road infrastructure. Taban, who served for a decade before losing in the NRM primaries, maintains the process was flawed and accuses the current leadership of underperformance—turning the race into a referendum on continuity versus experience.
Masaka: Opposition Heavyweights Clash
Although technically a mayoral race, Masaka remains a political hotspot with broader implications for district politics. Incumbent city mayor Florence Namayanja (NUP) is being challenged by former mayor Godfrey Kayemba (independent), alongside NRM’s Fredrick Ddembe Luswata.
Namayanja is banking on NUP’s dominance in the region and her record on land governance and urban greening, while Kayemba is seeking a comeback after losing the seat in 2021.
Other Districts to Watch
Beyond the headline races, tight LC5 contests are also expected in Kiboga, Luwero, Nakaseke and Butambala, where incumbents face restless electorates and increasingly competitive opposition.
As voters head to the polls, the LC5 elections are shaping up not just as local contests, but as a critical test of party strength, grassroots mobilisation and the public appetite for political renewal at the district level.
