Unlike Erias Lukwago stand on opposing government programme,Kampala Mayor-elect Ronald Balimwezo has pledged to cooperate with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government despite being a member of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), saying his priority is efficient service delivery for the people of Kampala.
Balimwezo emphasised that his commitment to serving residents outweighs partisan politics, noting that he is prepared to work with President Yoweri Museveni and the central government to improve the city’s infrastructure and services.
“If my party president has a problem with me working with the NRM or Museveni, so be it, because serving the people who elected me comes first,” Balimwezo stated.
He pointed to lessons from his predecessor, Erias Lukwago, who often clashed with the central government. According to Balimwezo, such confrontations left Kampala residents without essential services and hindered the city’s development.
“I would love to foster cooperation between the office of the Lord Mayor, Kampala Capital City Authority, the Ministry of Kampala, and the Statehouse,” he said. “Let’s face reality: Museveni is the democratically elected president of Uganda; therefore, I must work with him even if I don’t agree with him politically.”
Balimwezo’s remarks signal a shift toward collaboration between opposition leadership in Kampala and the ruling government, a move he believes will accelerate service delivery and address long-standing challenges in the capital.
However, the move poses a significant challenge to NUP’s cohesion and strategy. Balimwezo’s open defiance of party leadership to work with a government the NUP consistently criticises could be seen as a major betrayal. It risks creating a deep internal rift and reducing the party’s critique of the NRM’s governance record.
Analysts suggest Balimwezo is walking a political tightrope. While his cooperation could secure crucial budgetary and administrative support from the central government, it may alienate his core opposition support base and provoke disciplinary action from NUP, potentially including expulsion.
Salary for Kampala Mayor
Balimwezo’s salary will be about UGX 24 million, with allowances and other entitlements making the figure as high as UGX 45 million.
His Deputy Lord Mayor for Kampala will be taking home UGX 16 million monthly.
The KCCA Speaker will be taking home UGX 14.7 million, while the Deputy Speaker will be pocketing UGX 12.5 million.
Other KCCA leaders include lord councilors, who will earn UGX 5,550,000 monthly, and division councilors in the range of UGX 3M.