JINJA – In a significant political realignment, Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP) has handed its ticket for the 2026 Jinja City Mayoral race to wealthy businessman and former FDC stalwart Mubarak Kirunda, a move that has sidelined the incumbent, Mayor Peter Kasolo.
The decision, confirmed by party officials, marks a dramatic comeback for Kirunda, a seasoned figure in Jinja politics who served three terms as LCII Chairman of Jinja Central Division under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Kirunda’s journey to the NUP ticket has been years in the making. After a major fallout with the FDC in 2021, where the party denied him its mayoral flag and instead nominated the late Frank Nabwiso, Kirunda ran as an independent candidate but suffered a decisive loss. He subsequently defected to NUP in 2023, quickly ingratiating himself with the party leadership.
His integration was significantly bolstered by a substantial material contribution: he offered his four-storey building in Jinja City to serve as the party’s regional office. This strategic donation is widely seen as a key factor in his newfound political fortune, with observers noting that NUP has rewarded his resources and organizational support with its coveted nomination.
The selection has sent shockwaves through the local political scene, most notably angering the outgoing flag-bearer, Mayor Alton Peter Kasolo. In a swift and defiant response, Kasolo has declared his intention to bounce back as an independent candidate in the 2026 elections.
Unshaken by the party’s decision, Kasolo expressed strong confidence in his record. He stated that the people of Jinja will entrust him with another term based on his performance, asserting that “his works speak louder than Kyagulanyi’s party flag.”
This development sets the stage for a fiercely contested election, pitting the machinery of NUP and its well-resourced new recruit against the established track record and independent campaign of a sitting mayor. The battle for Jinja is poised to be a key highlight in the upcoming electoral cycle.
