As voting for the Jinja City mayoral race neared close on Thursday, attention shifted to the city’s top executive seat, coming a week after the National Unity Platform (NUP) swept all parliamentary positions in the city in last Thursday’s polls.
With Parliament already firmly in opposition hands, the mayoral contest has emerged as a decisive test of whether the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) can retain executive influence in the city, or whether NUP will complete a clean political sweep.
The race, which attracted 14 candidates, has effectively narrowed into a three-way contest between NRM’s Abdulhafid Nagaya, NUP’s Mubarak Kirunda, and incumbent Mayor Peter Kasolo Okecho.
Mr Kasolo, Jinja City’s first mayor elected in the 2021 general elections, is seeking a second term as an independent after failing to secure the NUP ticket.
His decision to run outside the party has complicated the race, drawing support from voters who credit him for visible infrastructure projects while fragmenting the opposition vote.
During his tenure, Kasolo oversaw key developments, including the installation of street lights along sections of the Jinja-Iganga-Busia highway and the completion of Obote Way under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme. Supporters say these projects marked a departure from previous administrations that struggled to translate city status into tangible improvements.
NUP’s flag bearer, Mr Mubarak Kirunda, is a familiar political figure in the city. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s through political talk shows and later served as LC III chairperson for the former Jinja Central Division. A former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) member, Kirunda lost the party ticket in 2021, ran as an independent, and was defeated before later joining NUP and securing its mayoral flag.
His supporters point to his hands-on leadership record, particularly the construction of Kakindu Stadium, now the city’s only major stadium and a venue for regional sports competitions, including the Masaza Cup. They argue that Kirunda’s visible achievements and direct engagement in service delivery make him best suited to manage the fast-growing city.
NRM’s Abdulhafid Nagaya, though a newcomer to elective city politics, has entered the race backed by influential party figures. Coming from a politically connected family, Nagaya’s supporters believe his ties to the ruling establishment could strengthen Jinja’s ability to lobby for central government funding and national infrastructure projects.
Residents remain divided over who should lead the city, which was elevated from a municipality to a city on July 1, 2020. Many voters say the next mayor must balance political clout with integrity and practical service delivery.
Ms Amiina Mirembe, the NRM publicity secretary for Jinja City, warned that electing leaders entirely from the opposition could weaken the city’s bargaining power with central government.
‘We need a person who can effectively lobby for Jinja. If we elect all leaders from the opposition, the city is likely to fall behind in development, because accessing the national budget becomes more difficult,’ she said.
Former Jinja Mayor Steven Bewayo echoed the call for pragmatic leadership, saying the city needs a service-oriented leader who can work closely with government to reverse years of stalled development.
‘We need a leader who is service-minded and not corrupt. Too often leaders come into office to enrich themselves instead of serving the population,’ Bewayo said.
Residents also highlighted concerns about governance and asset protection. Mr Majid Nsereko, a resident of Masese Ward, said the next mayor must protect public assets and leave a lasting development legacy, noting that many past leaders sold off city resources.
Civil society voices have also weighed in. Mr Peter Ogik, Executive Director of the Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism (SNUPA), called for a unifying mayor who would prioritise accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
Meanwhile, Mr Moses Mulondo, publicity secretary of the Jinja City Development Forum, said the next mayor must demonstrate integrity and the ability to drive infrastructure development, promote commerce, attract investment, and tackle challenges such as waste management.
Among voters, opinions remained split. Mr Julius Kayiira said Kirunda’s record, especially the construction of Kakindu Stadium, speaks for itself. Mr Sam Kabbinika of Bugembe Town Council praised Kasolo for delivering projects previous leaders failed to implement, though he acknowledged that the mayor’s blunt leadership style has sometimes worked against him politically.
As counting loomed late Thursday, the outcome was expected to determine whether Jinja City would consolidate its shift to the opposition or leave the ruling party with a crucial foothold at City Hall.