Elevated to Municipality status in 2015 and becoming operational in the 2016-2017 financial year, Kamuli Municipality has undergone a steady yet transformative shift, largely driven by a surge in infrastructure development, particularly in its road network, as it transitioned from a town council and expanded its administrative area.
Kamuli Municipality has so far received 15.7km of roads under the Presidential Pledge and another 6km through USMID, all fitted with solar street lights to improve safety and support night-time work.
Under USMID, more projects are underway, including a modern slaughterhouse with completed designs and secured land at Busanga Cell.
Designs for an additional 17km of urban roads are also ready, awaiting funding. The municipality is further lobbying for a modern market under Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement III (MATIIP) to boost jobs, revenue, and urban order.
All developments follow the 2022 Municipal Physical Development Plan, which guides land use and orderly growth.
Kamuli’s population has grown sharply from 58,000 in 2015 to more than 100,000 people in the 2024 census, a surge attributed to expanding services and improving livelihoods.
Since attaining Municipal status, Kamuli has experienced mixed leadership transitions, with the Mayoral seat shifting between independents and NRM-leaning candidates.
The municipality’s first mayor was Mr David Musasizi Iswaya, who led during the formative years of the Municipality before stepping aside.
He was later succeeded by Mr Azizi Luwano, 2021-2025, under whose tenure the municipality continued pushing for infrastructure expansion and urban planning.
These leadership shifts reflect a Municipality that is politically flexible and increasingly demanding, often judging leaders based on service delivery rather than party loyalty.
Politically, however, the municipality faces persistent governance gaps: weak revenue collection, leadership conflicts between political and technical wings, land-use disputes, and rising pressure on public services.
With parties vying for influence ahead of the 2026 elections, Kamuli remains a competitive and unpredictable political space, often swinging between independents, opposition voices and NRM-leaning contenders.
Kamuli operates at Local Council IV level, led by a Mayor and Town Clerk, but residents say the next leader must confront both the unfinished infrastructure works and widening political differences, which they argue has slowed decision-making and stalled key urban projects.
The race has attracted six contenders: Mr Fred Balinango (NRM), Mr Denis Kagabo (Independent), Mr David Musasizi Iswaya (Independent), Mr Twahiri Waiswa (NUP), Mr Peter Kaluuba (FDC), and Mr Michael Kiboome (Independent).
The candidates are promising to steer the fast-growing Municipality into its next phase of development while grappling with a complex political landscape marked by rising expectations, youth pressure, and demands for cleaner, more accountable leadership.
Fred Balinango (NRM)
Mr Balinango is currently a District councillor representing the Southern Division and sitting on the Finance Committee.
An Entrepreneur and social worker, he has set his eyes on ridding the municipality of street kids by improving education access and social amenities.
To the business community he plans to harmonise taxation aspects, work on land and property rights and have the public embrace and willingly pay taxes as revenue for better service delivery through accounting for every penny paid, received and planned.
Denis Kagabo (Independent)
Mr Kagabo is the Deputy Mayor coming to replace his boss Mr Azizi Luwano who is now contesting for Kamuli Municipality seat.
An Information Technology Graduate from Makerere, Mr Kagabo says he is coming in for continuity, sustainability and protection of the gains they have made so far since he has been under mentorship as Deputy.
‘I come for continuity having been in the system set up, ready to protect the gains, partnerships and leadership investments here. We know where we came from, where we are and where we are going as per the development plans so we shall be running in already engaged gears,’ he says.
His manifesto focus is on greening the Municipality, motivation of technical staff, harmonizing the community, political and technical teams to appreciate and work with each other.
David Musasizi Iswaya (Independent)
The first mayor for Kamuli Municipality between 2016-2021 is making a comeback to steer the Municipality to greater heights and protect his initial progress.
A graduate secondary teacher with administrative law, which is an added advantage,Mr Musasizi promises transparent and accountable leadership based on collective responsibility, demand-driven initiatives.
‘Let us rise, shine, and fall together. It is our Municipality, our leadership, our initiatives and our direction,’ he said.
His symbol is a Radio for mobilisation, information and education as an independent candidate but NRM leaning
Twahiri Waiswa (NUP)
The NUP candidate has been in active youth politics and is an astute mobiliser. He holds a degree in law from Kampala International University, where he was the chairman of the University Electoral Commission and coordinator of opposition Youth Kamuli district.
His manifesto is based on skilling, increasing productivity and a clean Municipality.
We want to actualise youth involvement and productivity, and turn garbage into wealth and organic fertiliser, a new hope, a new era for Kamuli Municipality.
Peter Kaluuba(FDC)
A Professional teacher and administrator, Mr Kaluuba is currently the Kamuli District Secretary for Education and Community Development.
Despite being an opposition FDC candidate, he embraces harmony and pushes forward the Municipality.
‘We should not just have a Municipality in name, but take pride in it, let it visibly improve our lives, and work together to make it a true vehicle for progress.’
His manifesto is to improve drainage and create a good working environment between civil servants and politicians.
Bringing a wealth of experience in community and local leadership, he promises accountable leadership consultation and priority planning.
According to the Electoral Commission schedule, elections for district and city mayors and councillors will take place on January 22, 2026, while municipality and city division chairpersons and councillors will be elected on January 27, 2026. Earlier, on January 15, 2026, Uganda elected its president and members of Parliament.