By East Africa Observer
Kampala | 22 May 2026
KAMPALA — NUP’s John Mary Ssebuwufu and Olive Namazzi were elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Kampala Capital City Authority Council in a tense vote held yesterday, 21 May 2026.
The hotly contested election followed the swearing-in ceremony newly elected Political leaders of the city including Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga and KCCA Authority Councillors on Wednesday, 20 May.
Ssebuwufu, the Nakawa I Lord Councillor, garnered 18 votes to defeat NRM’s Kalule, who received 16 votes. One ballot was declared invalid. For deputy speaker, Namazzi secured 20 votes against NRM’s Kwarijja Nicholas, who got 15 votes.
The anticipation heading into the contest stemmed from the narrow numbers in the 35-member council. NUP holds 19 councillor seats against NRM’s 16, making the electoral college tight and the outcome uncertain.
NRM had been expected to put up a spirited fight to overcome the 3-seat disadvantage, with rival councillors saying the party would try to swing votes through lobbying. In the end, NUP held its bloc to retain both presiding offices.
Ssebuwufu and Namazzi were sworn in immediately after their election. Ssebuwufu then presided over his first council sitting as Speaker.
Ssebuwufu and Namazzi delivered remarks following their election thanking councillors and pledged to run an inclusive and accountable council.
Ssebuwufu said he would prioritize restoring order in council proceedings and ensuring all 35 councillors have a voice, regardless of party affiliation. Namazzi said her focus would be on improving transparency in council business and strengthening oversight of KCCA’s executive arm.
ANALYST REACTIONS
Political analyst Dennis Tumuhairwe of the PFF Party welcomed the election of Ssebuwufu and Namazzi, describing them as “level headed and experienced leaders” who both served on the City Executive Committee (CEC) under former Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
“I am confident that their tenure will be defined by order, transparency, and good governance,” Tumuhairwe said.
He also singled out councillors Godfrey Luyombya, Sendi Mosh African, and Kabuye Isaac for stepping aside after earlier expressing interest in the positions.
“I also want to take special recognize the Councillor Luyombya, Sendi Mosh African and Kabuye Isaac who despite earlier showing interest in these positions put aside their differences and supported the official party candidates. This enabled cohesion, helped NUP in avoiding splitting the NUP votes. Their action demonstrated political maturity, selfless leadership and fidelity to the party,” he added.
CEC EXPERIENCE UNDER LUKWAGO
Both Ssebuwufu and Namazzi served on the City Executive Committee during Erias Lukwago’s tenure as Lord Mayor. The CEC functions as KCCA’s cabinet, overseeing key portfolios including finance, legal affairs, health, education, and physical planning.
Their time on the committee is credited with giving them direct exposure to city administration, budgeting processes, and the interface between the political and technical wings of KCCA.
NUP ENDORSEMENT
The pair previously emerged winners in hotly contested NUP party primaries held a week earlier at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule last week. Ssebuwufu overcame stiff competition from Godfrey Luyombya, former Speaker of Nakawa Urban Council and Sendi Mosh African, while Namazzi beat Kato Paul & Kabuye Isaac from Makindye and James Mubiru from Rubaga.
The Speaker and Deputy Speaker will preside over council proceedings for the 2026-2031 term. The KCCA Council is responsible for passing ordinances, approving the city budget, and overseeing the executive arm of Kampala Capital City Authority.
With NUP holding a slim majority, the dynamics between the presiding officers and the Balimwezo executive are likely to shape how Kampala’s budget and key projects move forward over the next five years.
NEXT ON THE AGENDA
The new Speaker will convene a Special Authority Council meeting where Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo is expected to present his Executive picks to council for approval.
Under the Kampala Capital City Authority Act, Cap 7, the City Executive Committee – CEC is the city’s governing body headed by the Lord Mayor. The CEC is responsible for initiating council business, formulating policy, and monitoring service delivery in the divisions.
The CEC comprises the Deputy Lord Mayor and three Executive Secretaries holding the portfolios of Public Health and Environment, Physical Planning, and Human Resource and Administration.
Once approved by council, the CEC sets the political direction for the city, while the Executive Director implements CEC and council decisions as head of public service and accounting officer.