KAMPALA, UGANDA – Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has reportedly capitulated to pressure from his campaign team, agreeing to increase financial incentives for his agents following stark warnings that his perceived stinginess could cost him the upcoming election.
According to sources within his campaign, Lukwago’s agents delivered a blunt ultimatum: increase their pay or risk a defeat at the hands of his main challenger, Eng. Balimwezo of the National Unity Platform (NUP). The agents argued that Lukwago’s historical reluctance to spend generously on campaigns is a major liability in the face of a well-funded opponent.
The pressure was amplified by intelligence suggesting that prominent city tycoons, including businessman Ham Kiggundu, are determined to heavily sponsor any viable candidate capable of unseating the incumbent Lord Mayor. This has reportedly caused significant concern within Lukwago’s camp.
“Lukwago is known for being stingy, but he is now panicking,” a source close to the campaign revealed. “The threat from Balimwezo, backed by seemingly bottomless financial resources from his supporters, is being taken very seriously.”
In response to these threats, Lukwago has reportedly been compelled to “splash money” to secure his political ground. The funds are being directed towards a network of campaign agents tasked with a vigorous poster campaign and, crucially, mobilizing voters in Kampala’s ghettos and among street dwellers—a key demographic.
The agents are now actively disseminating a message that a vote for Lukwago is a vote for a leader who will fight for the city’s most vulnerable residents to “stay in Kampala,” a nod to ongoing issues of informal settlements and urban development.
This strategic shift highlights the high-stakes nature of the Kampala mayoral race, where grassroots mobilization is now squaring off against the promise of significant financial muscle. Political analysts suggest that Lukwago’s ability to effectively counter this financial disadvantage with a strong ground game and his established reputation will be critical to his re-election bid.
The Lord Mayor’s campaign office was not immediately available for official comment.
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