How the city mayoral seat was won

Two days to Monday’s election, Lukwago’s group held two meetings in Kampala to plan vote monitoring. They divided Kampala into 15 sub-divisions each headed by two senior opposition officials.

Mr Ssemuju Nganda (Nakawa), Jack Sabiiti (Kisaasi), Medard Ssegona (Kampala Central), Wafula Oguttu (Ntinda), Salaam Musumba (Mbuya) Charles Sserujogi (Old Kampala), Anita Amongi (Kyambogo), Micheal Kabaziguruka (Luzira) and Betty Nambooze (Rubaga).

Others were Sarah Kanyike and Hussein Kyanjo (both Makindye), Moses Kasibante and Matthias Mpuga (Rubaga area 11). The Suubi group, a Buganda Kingdom-leaning pressure group, gave Lukwago’s candidature a significant backing.

Most Baganda remain passionately attached to their kingdom and it’s likely that they voted for Lukwago because he has been at the forefront of defending the interests of the kingdom. Although the Kampala mayoral position will be ceremonial, controlling the city remains one of the biggest political statements for any political group to score.