Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate for the Kampala Lord Mayor seat, has urged Kampala residents to avoid voting for ineffective legislators in the 2026 elections, warning that such choices could hinder efforts to lobby for service delivery programmes and effective budgeting.
Balimwezo, the outgoing Nakawa East MP, shared these remarks in an interview with Bbeg Media at the NUP headquarters.
“I urge my supporters in Kampala to elect capable Members of Parliament with whom I can collaborate effectively to serve you. Avoid sending dormant legislators to Parliament, as they will fail both me and you. Take note early and choose wisely. Our party has the best candidates to represent all constituencies in Kampala,” Balimwezo stated, amid enthusiastic cheers from his supporters.
He explained that capable leaders would be better positioned to lobby for improved service delivery programmes from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), which he aims to lead after defeating the incumbent Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Among the services he prioritised are maintaining street lighting on all city roads to enhance traffic control, improving education by equipping city schools with modern facilities, upgrading healthcare centres and hospitals and ensuring better remuneration for teachers.
Balimwezo attributed Kampala’s current challenges to weak legislators who, he claimed, show little concern for service delivery and lack the ability to articulate the city’s issues in the National Assembly or advocate for reforms to the KCCA Act. He argued that the Act has reduced the Lord Mayor to a largely ceremonial figure, limiting their authority.
He also pledged to provide effective leadership in managing city properties, citing the controversial leasing of the Nakivubo water channel to businessman Hamis Kiggundu for redevelopment as an example of mismanagement. Balimwezo argued that the city faces more pressing issues requiring urgent attention.
Promising to be an action-oriented leader, Balimwezo criticised his opponent, Erias Lukwago, for excessive politicking and opposing government projects without considering their potential benefits. He highlighted key challenges, including youth unemployment, flooding, street vendor congestion, crime, and drug abuse among desperate city youths, which he vowed to address.
This call to action comes at a time when most Kampala MPs are from opposition parties, yet little progress has been made in resolving the city’s ongoing crises.
