The era of Erias Lukwago as the Lord Mayor of Kampala might be over. The projections are all going the way of the National Unity Platform candidate Ronald Balimwezo. It would be the end of Lukwago after three term in office and before that he was elected in Parliament since 2005 and was elected as Lord Mayor from 2011. So, he has been there for 15 years and was scheduled to be for 20 years.
Just imagine he has been an elected official since 2005 and it might end for now in 2026. That means he was already elected for over two decades, but most of that in the position of Lord Mayor. A position has that has been contested, constrained and been a battleground. Which is why the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) became an entity with a Minister and an Executive Director to overpower and make the Lord Mayor ceremonial. Therefore, his entrenched placement together with being an opposition stronghold made the President edgy. That’s why he made the KCCA and did so to stifle the opposition in elected roles in capital.
Lukwago might have taken it easy and thought Balimwezo wouldn’t that big of an issue. He has fought against Captain Francis Babu and Peter Sematimba (NRM) in 2011. In 2016 he crushed Ragga Dee (NRM) and Issa Kikungwe. In 2021 he won over Ragga Dee again, Nabillah Naggayi Sempala (NUP) and Jose Chameleone. So, he has seen his races and conquered.
Now it was over. A man of the people and a possibility of fresh leadership in Kampala. The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) wasn’t wrong in announcing and endorsing Lukwago. They had a person who had leadership and integrity, but there a was will among the people and the PFF couldn’t muster enough ahead of the polls.
Just like previous Local Government elections after the Presidential and Parliamentary has been low turnout or even boycott. There is sentiment of hopelessness and lack of enthusiasm after seeing the rigging and military operation of the first polls. So, the second polls are getting lack of drive and even the crowds running to elect anyone. That we have seen for over a decade and this one is no different.
Lukwago himself a journey man who has been loyal to Dr. Kizza Besigye. His a man of Besigye and been by his side as long as we can remember. So, it was natural that he went on the ticket of PFF. As he has gone from being independent leaning Democratic Party candidate, to DP to independent to Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). From FDC to PFF. So, his been on a long political journey and it seems to end here.
Today might seem like an earthquake and for some it is. It has been in the water and there been questions about the longevity. As some are seeking to sit indefinitely and just being like forever big-men and have no succession plan ahead. That’s what you could question and Lukwago is one of them. Now the people has decided and they has said “thank for your service, but now time for someone else”.
There been lots of trouble and tribulations in regards to Lukwago. He has been house-arrested, impeached, and seen the dark-side of politicking. A man who has been the one through it all. He will survive this too and find his ways. Might even retire and be a lawyer full-time. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he would try to get elected somewhere in the future. Because, that’s him and been his life since 2005. Peace.
MinBane 