Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga has pledged to deliver accountable, inclusive, and people-centred leadership after officially taking the oath as Kampala’s Lord Mayor, promising to prioritise service delivery, urban planning, and support for the city’s vast informal sector. Speaking during his swearing-in ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday, Balimwezo said his election marked both a personal sacrifice and a calling to serve the people of Kampala.
“I stand humbled by the trust the people of Kampala have placed in me as Lord Mayor. This victory belongs to every person who believed that Kampala deserves accountable, inclusive, and people-centred leadership,” Balimwezo said. The ceremony, conducted under strict Ebola Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), was attended by National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders, diplomats, religious leaders, a limited number of supporters, and family members.
Balimwezo said his leadership journey, which began as a youth leader and local council chairman, had prepared him for the city’s top political office. He also acknowledged the impact of Ebola prevention restrictions on the ceremony, noting that several guests and diplomats were unable to attend because of limits on large gatherings.
An emotional Balimwezo expressed gratitude to his family, especially his wife Rachel Balimwezo, for standing with him throughout the campaign period. He also revealed that he had recently struggled with high blood pressure, which he linked to the traumatic killing of four juveniles at a daycare school in Ggaba.
Balimwezo called for reconciliation among all political contestants and urged leaders to work together to develop Kampala regardless of political affiliation. Addressing governance concerns, he dismissed claims that the office of the Lord Mayor is powerless, insisting that it plays a central role in shaping city policies and strategies. “The Lord Mayor is the political head of the city. The office is responsible for policies and strategies that enhance service delivery,” he said.
Balimwezo raised concerns about Kampala’s rapid urban growth and questioned official population figures, arguing that pressure on roads, drainage systems, schools, hospitals, and housing indicates the city’s actual population is far higher than the estimated 1.79 million nighttime residents. “Kampala remains the economic, social, and cultural heartbeat of Uganda,” he said, adding that the capital contributes nearly 79 percent of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product while hosting millions of daytime residents, refugees, and economic migrants.
The Lord Mayor also highlighted deteriorating conditions in public markets and criticised the recent eviction of more than 35,000 street vendors and kiosk operators from city streets, warning that many residents had lost their livelihoods. “Over 60 percent of Kampala’s population survives in the informal economy. We must organise decent workspaces for informal workers,” he said.
Youth unemployment, he added, remains one of Kampala’s biggest challenges because many young people possess skills that do not match the demands of the modern economy. Balimwezo pledged to work closely with technical teams, city authorities, and local communities to improve infrastructure, sanitation, planning, and economic opportunities across the capital.
Ritah Naumbe Kidasa, the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, reminded the newly elected leaders of the responsibility entrusted to them by Kampala residents. She urged them to uphold the rule of law, promote transparency, protect public resources, and work collectively towards transforming the city.
Meanwhile, Sharifah Buzeki, the KCC Executive Director, said the swearing-in marked an important institutional transition and renewed commitment to service delivery. Buzeki noted that because of the Ebola outbreak, attendance at the event had been significantly restricted, including among KCCA staff.
She said the technical leadership at KCCA was ready to work with the political wing to improve services in the capital. “Gone are the days when the voters and residents of Kampala would wait for lamentations and clap. What they are looking for now is work,” Buzeki remarked. The ceremony also saw the swearing-in of 34 Kampala Capital City Authority councillors who pledged to work with the Lord Mayor and the technical leadership for the betterment of Kampala City-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
