Inside Sources: Fred Nyanzi Sets Sights on Lira City Mayoral Race After Kampala and Kawempe South Rejections

Political insiders have disclosed that Fred Nyanzi, popularly known as Chairman Fred, is plotting a fresh political comeback in Lira City, where he now intends to contest for mayor.

The revelation comes after back to back rejections in his traditional bases of Kawempe South and Kampala Central, raising questions about his political survival.

In the last general elections of 2021, Nyanzi suffered a humiliating defeat in the Kampala Central Parliamentary race. Despite mobilizing under the People Power/ NUP wave, he lost to Muhammad Nsereko, who polled 16,998 votes against Nyanzi’s 15,975.

His petition challenging the results was later dismissed by the High Court, leaving Nsereko firmly in office and branding Nyanzi as a failed contender.

Fast forward to the present, residents of Kawempe South have now turned their backs on him, openly rejecting his leadership style, which they describe as detached and opportunistic.

 Disgruntled voters, especially the youth, say they want a leader who can identify with their struggles, much like grassroots mobilizers such as Roy Ssemboga, who embodied people centered activism.

“We need leaders who rise from the community and fight for our issues, not those who abandon us whenever they lose,” said one frustrated resident of Kawempe.

Political observers believe Nyanzi’s sudden shift to Lira City is a desperate attempt to reinvent himself after Kampala’s cold shoulder.

Yet, critics argue his track record reflects a pattern of political failure, rather than resilience, as he continues to chase positions without building strong connections with the people.

As Lira prepares for its mayoral contest, the question remains whether its residents will welcome Nyanzi or whether his reputation for repeated rejection will shadow him once again.