The outgoing Lord Mayor of Kampala, Ssalongo Erias Lukwago, has officially conceded defeat in the 2026 Kampala City Lord Mayorship polls, bringing to a close his 15-year tenure as the city’s political head.
Speaking to journalists at his Rubaga residence, Lukwago said that, despite flaws in the broader 2026 General Elections process, he has accepted the outcome of the Kampala mayoral race.
“Notwithstanding the flaws that have marred this process as part of the wider 2026 General Elections, I do hereby accept the outcome of the Kampala Lord Mayorship polls,” Lukwago stated, adding that he leaves office with a clear conscience and an untarnished record.
Expressing gratitude to Kampala residents for granting him what he called a “golden opportunity and platform” to lead the city, he emphasized his focus on serving the urban poor and vulnerable groups.
“I will sign out of the Lord Mayor’s Parlour with a great sense of pride and elation, having offered an indisputably immaculate city leadership,” Lukwago said.
He highlighted four defining pillars of his leadership: integrity, clarity of purpose, resilience, and fidelity to the people’s mandate.
Reflecting on his 15-year tenure, Lukwago said history would remember his leadership as steadfast in the face of immense political adversity.
He insisted that he neither betrayed the electorate’s trust nor compromised his principles, maintaining accountability, the rule of law, and social justice throughout his administration.
He described his exit from office with pride, highlighting a tenure defined by integrity, clarity of purpose, impartiality, resilience, and loyalty to the people’s mandate. Lukwago outlined four pillars of his leadership:
- Integrity: a proven record of impeccable and unassailable integrity.
- Service: clarity of purpose and commitment to serve Kampala impartially.
- Resilience: grit and perseverance amid adversity.
- Fidelity: firm loyalty to the people’s aspirations.
Lukwago asserted he did not betray the electorate’s trust and thanked residents for their mandate. He reflected on his achievements, stating the city will remember him as an “indefatigable City Lord Mayor” who left office with a “clean sheet” despite political challenges.
He highlighted five key accomplishments:
- Providing principled, accountable leadership during critical city challenges.
- Advocating for justice, protection, and support for the urban poor.
- Offering policy guidance for equitable city transformation.
- Resisting undue pressure and nefarious interests.
- Safeguarding city assets from alienation by unscrupulous actors.
Key achievements of his leadership, according to Lukwago, include providing principled guidance when the city required it, advocating for the urban poor, resisting “quick fixes and posturing” in favour of sustainable city transformation, and defending Kampala’s assets and heritage from marauding cartels and mafias.
He emphasized that, despite persistent political pressure and attacks, he avoided personal confrontations and exits office without any corruption scandal attached to his name.
Lukwago also pledged to remain active in democratic politics, focusing on constitutionalism, social justice, the rule of law, and a non-violent transition in governance.
“Going forward, my energy and resources will remain focused on the protracted struggle for social justice, rule of law, and a constitutional political order that guarantees the sovereignty of the people,” he said.
According to the Electoral Commission’s final tally, Ronald Balimwezo won the mayoral race with 141,220 votes, followed by NRM’s Moses Kizito Nsubuga with 43,615 votes.
Lukwago, seeking a fourth term, came third with 41,915 votes. He is expected to formally hand over office in May, closing a long and eventful chapter in Kampala’s political leadership.
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