With the Local Government Council elections set for Thursday, January 22—just one day away—Democratic Party (DP) flag bearer Beatrice Nambi Mao has voiced strong assurance in her campaign preparations and ability to lead Kampala, even in what she calls a demanding and fiercely contested race.
In an interview with local broadcaster NBS Television on Tuesday, Nambi emphasized that she remains unfazed by the male-heavy field of candidates.
She credited her five years of consistent community engagement across the city, combined with intensified efforts over the past two months, for building momentum toward success.
“I know it’s tough, and I’ve often been discouraged that I cannot manage the men in the race. Nonetheless, I’ve been on the ground for the past five years and have intensified my campaigns over the last two months. I am very sure that I’ve got this,” she stated.
Nambi disclosed that her campaign has completed key logistical arrangements, especially the deployment of polling agents citywide.
She noted that plans call for at least two agents per polling station to monitor proceedings and protect the integrity of the vote.
“We were given time to prepare. We were told that each polling station is to have at least two agents, and I have to prepare over 5,000. On Wednesday, I shall train them and have them sign their contracts. My team is ready for this, and we are not going to allow rigging,” she affirmed.
As the wife of DP president and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao, Nambi secured the party’s official endorsement after John Bosco Kamoga stepped aside to enable a unified DP candidacy.
She positioned her bid as ushering in a fresh era for Kampala’s leadership, centered on discipline, collaboration, and open dialogue.
Nambi committed to bridging the political rifts and confrontations that have long marked City Hall operations. She described Kampala as Uganda’s “living room,” one that demands governance built on unity, accountability, and mutual respect.
Leveraging more than ten years of experience in supporting local artisans and marketing East African products abroad, Nambi said her approach would focus on empowering communities at the grassroots level and driving inclusive economic progress.
Her manifesto highlights several priorities: upgrading public transport systems, advancing road infrastructure and connectivity, enforcing compliance with approved building plans; replacing property taxes with levies on idle urban land to encourage efficient land use and organized city growth; broadening digitisation and e-governance initiatives, creating innovation centers, revitalizing public spaces, nurturing cottage industries, equipping youth with skills, and rolling out universal healthcare coverage.
Additional commitments include curbing noise pollution, formalizing the informal sector, promoting urban farming, enhancing tourism, and markedly improving water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and waste management services.
This marks Nambi’s second pursuit of the Kampala Lord Mayoral position. In the 2021 elections, the Electoral Commission disqualified her over voter registration concerns. She now enters the contest with what she calls “a clean slate and readiness to lead.”
She faces strong opposition from incumbent Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago (People’s Front for Freedom – PFF), who is pursuing a fourth straight term since first taking office in 2011.
Other candidates include Eng. Ronald Balimwezo (NUP), Ibrahim Kasozi (FDC), former Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Naggayi Sempala (Independent), Moses Kizito Nsubuga (NRM), and more.
In 2021, Lukwago secured a convincing victory with 194,592 votes, well ahead of runner-up Nabilah Naggayi Sempala’s 60,082.
As Kampala residents prepare to cast their ballots, Nambi expressed optimism that her vision of unity, discipline, and broad-based development will connect with voters.