Kampala – Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has abandoned plans to contest as a presidential candidate under the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), opting instead to defend his seat as Lord Mayor in the upcoming elections.
Well-placed sources reveal that the seasoned lawyer and opposition figure is set to pick nomination forms for the Kampala City Lord Mayor position next week, ending weeks of speculation about his next political move.
For months, sections of the opposition had tipped Lukwago to fill the void left by Dr. Kizza Besigye, who remains in detention and unlikely to appear on the 2026 ballot. His name had been floated as a potential presidential flag bearer, raising expectations that he would step onto the national stage.
However, insiders now say Lukwago decided against the move after carefully assessing the political terrain. Contesting against President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has maintained a strong grip on power for nearly four decades, was deemed “not a walkover” as some had assumed.
The announcement has sent ripples across the opposition, particularly within the National Unity Platform (NUP) where many had anticipated Lukwago’s candidacy would shake the race. His U-turn has also rattled the camp of Eng. Balimwezo Nsubuga, who had positioned himself as the frontrunner for Lord Mayor should Lukwago step aside. With Lukwago back in the race, Balimwezo’s chances now appear slimmer.
With Lukwago stepping back from the presidential contest, attention has shifted to Gen. Mugisha Muntu, who has already confirmed that he will once again challenge his former boss, Gen. Museveni, in 2026. Sources suggest that PFF may throw its weight behind Muntu, framing him as the consensus candidate to rally opposition forces.
Lukwago’s decision highlights the strategic calculations within the opposition as Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections. While his return to the mayoral race secures continuity in Kampala leadership, it leaves the broader question of opposition unity against Museveni unresolved.
For now, the Lord Mayor’s focus is clear: retaining his influence at City Hall. But his withdrawal from the national race leaves many wondering—who, if anyone, can mount a serious challenge to Museveni in 2026?
