NRM Consolidates Grip on Oil-Rich Kikuube as Kisembo Wins LCV Seat
The declaration was made by Kikuube District Returning Officer Emmanuel Twine at the district headquarters at 9:41 PM after the successful tallying of results from all 330 polling stations across the district.
KIKUUBE, June 18, 2026 — National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Paddy Kisembo has been officially declared the duly elected District Chairperson (LCV) for Kikuube District following a resounding victory in the district chairperson by-election held on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The declaration was made by Kikuube District Returning Officer Emmanuel Twine at the district headquarters at 9:41 PM after the successful tallying of results from all 330 polling stations across the district.
According to the official Return Form (RF) issued by the Electoral Commission, Kisembo secured 26,612 votes, representing 75.34 percent of the total valid votes cast. His closest challenger, Fenekansi Timanyire of the National Unity Platform (NUP), garnered 8,712 votes, accounting for 24.66 percent of the valid votes.
The election attracted a total of 35,324 valid votes, while 887 ballots were rejected as invalid. Election officials also recorded 74 spoilt ballot papers. Out of the district's 153,195 registered voters, voter turnout stood at approximately 23.6 percent.
In his official declaration, Returning Officer Emmanuel Twine cited the provisions of the Local Governments Act and confirmed that Kisembo had obtained the highest number of valid votes cast.
"Accordingly, as Returning Officer for Kikuube Electoral District and in accordance with Section 147 of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 138, I declare Kisembo Paddy, who has obtained the largest number of votes, to be elected candidate for Kikuube Electoral District," Twine stated.
Victory Secures NRM Hold on Strategic District
Kisembo's victory enables the ruling NRM to retain leadership of one of Uganda's most strategically important districts. Kikuube District lies at the center of Uganda's oil and gas development corridor and plays a critical role in the country's industrialization and energy ambitions.
Political analysts view the outcome as a significant endorsement of the NRM's influence in the Bunyoro sub-region and a signal of continued support for government development programmes in the district.
Supporters of the NRM celebrated the announcement across various parts of Kikuube, hailing the victory as a continuation of the party's development agenda and a vote of confidence in Kisembo's leadership.
Election Held Following Death of Peter Banura Araali
The by-election was necessitated by the tragic death of former District Chairperson Peter Banura Araali, who lost his life in a road accident on April 4, 2026.
Banura had been widely respected for his leadership and commitment to service delivery in the relatively young district. His death created a leadership vacuum that prompted the Electoral Commission to organize the by-election in accordance with electoral laws.
Throughout the campaign period, candidates paid tribute to the late leader while presenting their visions for the district's future development.
NRM Overcomes Nomination Setback
The road to victory was not without challenges for the ruling party. Initially, the NRM had fronted Philip Mbabazi Burnet as its flag bearer after internal party primaries. However, the Electoral Commission declined to nominate him over inconsistencies in his academic documents, which reportedly bore different names.
The development forced the party to reorganize its campaign strategy and rally behind Paddy Kisembo, who had participated in the party's internal electoral process.
Kisembo subsequently emerged as the NRM-backed candidate and mounted an energetic campaign that ultimately culminated in a decisive victory at the polls.
Peaceful Electoral Process
Election officials commended both candidates and their supporters for conducting largely peaceful campaigns and maintaining calm throughout the electoral process.
Although voting experienced delays at some polling stations due to low voter turnout in the early hours of the day, the Electoral Commission successfully received results from all polling stations, achieving a 100 percent return rate.
Security agencies and election officials reported no major incidents that could have affected the credibility of the exercise.
Expectations Ahead
As the newly elected District Chairperson, Kisembo assumes office at a time when Kikuube is experiencing rapid economic transformation driven by investments in the oil and gas sector.
Residents and stakeholders will be looking to the new district leader to strengthen service delivery, improve infrastructure, enhance social services, and ensure that local communities benefit from ongoing national development projects.
His administration is also expected to build on the foundation laid by the late Peter Banura Araali while steering the district through a critical phase of growth and economic opportunity.
With a commanding mandate from voters, Paddy Kisembo now begins his tenure as Kikuube District's political head, carrying the responsibility of leading one of Uganda's most strategically important districts into its next chapter of development.
