Millions of Ugandans are heading to the polls today of Thursday January 22, 2026 to elect local government leaders, with more than 6,000 candidates vying for seats across 146 districts and cities.
The elections cover 145 district chairpersons, mayors for 11 cities, and thousands of local council seats. According to the Electoral Commission, 521 candidates are contesting for district and city chairperson positions, while 6,189 people are competing for 2,241 council seats.
In Kampala, incumbent Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago of the People’s Front for Freedom faces a challenging reelection bid against four opponents. His challengers include Nakawa East lawmaker Ronald Balimwezo of the National Unity Platform and Moses Kizito Nsubuga of the National Resistance Movement.
Electoral Commission spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said all necessary voting materials have been dispatched to polling stations. He declined to comment on whether biometric voter verification kits would be used following technical glitches reported during the recent general elections.
“The voters will find polling officials at the polling station and they will be checked on the voter register, which is the principal document for identifying voters,” Mucunguzi said.
The elections feature several high-profile contests in Uganda’s newly created cities:
Mbarara City: Incumbent Robert Kakyebezi of the NRM faces Stanley Katembeya of the PFF and two independents in an NRM stronghold.
Jinja City: Incumbent Peter Kasolo is being challenged by seven candidates, including Mubarak Kirunda of the NUP.
Masaka City: Incumbent Florence Namayanja of the NUP seeks to retain her seat against former mayor Godfrey Kayemba and NRM’s Fredrick Ddembe Luswata.
In the central region, the NUP and NRM are locked in fierce battles for district chairperson seats. In Wakiso, NUP’s Nasifu Najja and NRM’s Ian Kyeyune are the leading contenders to replace Matia Lwanga Bwanika. In Luwero, the historic base of the NRM’s 1980s bush war, incumbent Erasto Kibirango of the NUP is defending his seat against NRM challenger Rashida Birungi.
Other key races include:
Mukono: NUP’s Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga faces NRM’s Francis Lukooya Mukoome.
Mityana: NUP’s Ann Lugendo, NRM’s Joseph Luzige and independent Gerald Kabanda are in a three-way race.
Tororo: Incumbent John Okea of the NRM faces three challengers, including FDC’s Paul Gonza.
Under the Local Government Act, Uganda’s 10 newest cities carry the status of a district. Kampala remains a unique entity administered by the Kampala Capital City Authority on behalf of the central government.
