Kyagulanyi, Nyanzi, Zahra Luyirika Among Others Unleash Balimwezo to Dethrone Lukwago

A storm is brewing in Kampala’s political theatre after the Electoral Commission on Thursday nominated Ronald Balimwezo for Lord Mayor, a move that has been swiftly endorsed by top National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders including Chairman Nyanzi, Zahra Luyirika, and party president Robert Kyagulanyi.

Their united front has sparked panic in the camp of long serving mayor Erias Lukwago.

Balimwezo’s nomination was not just another political event, it was a calculated show of force.

Surrounded by key NUP heavyweights, the former Nakawa East legislator was unveiled as the candidate to “pluck Lukwago out of City Hall” and restore the party’s full grip on the capital.

The presence of the top leadership signaled a decisive strategy, Lukwago’s days at the helm may be numbered.

For more than a decade, Lukwago has dominated Kampala politics, carving out an image of resilience against state pressure.

Yet his relationship with NUP has been fragile, marked by mistrust and quiet clashes. With the party’s machinery now rallying behind Balimwezo, analysts warn Lukwago could be isolated, stripped of the opposition support base that has kept him afloat.

In his fiery speech, Balimwezo accused Lukwago of clinging to the seat without delivering real change.

“The city deserves leadership that serves, not leadership that survives. This is the time to free Kampala from empty promises.” His words, amplified by the endorsement of NUP’s top brass, landed as a direct warning to Lukwago’s camp.

By late Thursday, whispers of fear and confusion were already echoing in Lukwago’s circles, with some allies questioning whether he still commands the numbers to withstand a full scale NUP onslaught.

Political analysts say the unity of NUP around Balimwezo may mark a decisive turning point, potentially ending Lukwago’s long reign and reshaping Kampala’s political future.