Lord Mayor Balimwezo, a politician to watch
Since assuming office, he has been working closely with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director, Sharifah Buzeki, on inspections of the city. This was almost unthinkable in the past. Former Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago largely viewed the KCCA executive as a political adversary, kept his distance, and often found himself isolated from the city’s development projects.
David Mukholi. (File)
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OPINION
Kampala Lord Mayor Eng. Ronald Balimwezo, a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), is emerging as a politician to watch. He has brought a fresh approach to opposition politics, one that appears to place service delivery above long-standing political positions.
Since assuming office, he has been working closely with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director, Sharifah Buzeki, on inspections of the city. This was almost unthinkable in the past. Former Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago largely viewed the KCCA executive as a political adversary, kept his distance, and often found himself isolated from the city’s development projects.
Balimwezo seems to understand that, to fulfil his campaign promises, he must work with KCCA officials, the minister for Kampala and other government institutions. This marks a departure from an unwritten rule that has long characterised Uganda’s opposition politics. Opposition leaders have generally avoided engaging with President Yoweri Museveni, ministers and senior government officials on development matters, fearing that it would be interpreted as political capitulation or a compromise of their opposition stance.
Being seen to work with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has often been viewed by sections of the opposition as a betrayal of the struggle for political change or even as evidence of being “bought” by President Museveni.
NUP’s position on the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) best illustrates this philosophy. The party has consistently boycotted IPOD because participation would require it to sit at the same table with President Museveni and the NRM. Doing so, they believe, would legitimise him and his government, demonstrating how deeply rooted the stand of avoiding formal engagement has become within opposition politics.
The Lord Mayor belongs to NUP, a political party that has built much of its identity around challenging President Museveni and the NRM, much like earlier opposition parties, especially the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Over the years, close interaction with the President or senior government officials has remained politically risky within opposition circles.
His predecessor, Lukwago, rarely concealed his hostility towards President Museveni and the NRM. He maintained a combative relationship with KCCA’s executive leadership, whom he regarded as an extension of the central government. Joint inspections were rare, and KCCA often implemented projects without the visible participation of the political leadership. His consistent opposition to government initiatives sometimes created the perception that he opposed not only the Government, but also projects intended to improve Kampala.
One example was the redevelopment of the Nakivubo Channel. Lukwago challenged the decision to redevelop the channel under businessman Ham Kiggundu and questioned the process through which councillors approved it, suggesting they may have been bribed.
However, to some observers, the development transformed what had long been an eyesore that reflected poorly on the city by concealing the channel beneath modern commercial structures. His sustained campaign against the project reinforced the perception that he opposed visible improvements to Kampala and could have contributed to his political fall.
Balimwezo appears to be taking a more pragmatic approach. If both the central government and the city leadership desire Kampala’s development, they inevitably share common objectives regardless of party affiliation. Therefore, co-operation becomes necessary despite political differences.
During inspections with KCCA officials, Balimwezo has spoken of ambitious plans for Kampala, including a light rail system to ease traffic congestion. Such a project is beyond Balimwezo’s personal financial capacity, and neither he nor NUP has the mandate or resources to undertake it. It can only be realised through central government investment or with Government approval for private investors.
Coincidentally, the Government is already pursuing a Light Rail Urban Mass Transit System for Greater Kampala and has commissioned Egypt’s Orascom Construction to conduct studies. The proposal has appeared in successive NRM manifestos since 2016. If Balimwezo is referring to the same project, he is on the same page as the Government. Whether implemented by the Government or private investors, Balimwezo stands to gain politically by being associated with its delivery. Unlike previous approaches that kept opposition leaders at arm’s length from government led development, his strategy recognises that voters often judge leaders by visible improvements rather than political confrontation.
This and the presence of government minister Balaam Barugahara sparked debate among some NUP supporters over whether an opposition leader should associate with prominent Museveni supporters.
This is consistent with the political style he is beginning to project. Rather than avoiding those associated with the Government, Balimwezo appears willing to engage across the political divide.
It would, therefore, not be surprising if, unlike many opposition politicians, he accepted an invitation to meet President Museveni to discuss Kampala’s development. Such a meeting would not necessarily represent a betrayal of the opposition cause, but rather a recognition that elected leaders have a responsibility to pursue solutions wherever they can be found.
President Museveni has consistently encouraged elected leaders, regardless of political affiliation, to support national development programmes and ensure accountability. Following the presentation of the national budget last month, he called upon MPs, including those in the opposition, to monitor government programmes and ensure they deliver results.
For opposition politicians, this creates a dilemma. Participating in government programmes or monitoring their implementation can be portrayed as supporting the Government, while refusing to engage risks denying constituents the benefits of improved service delivery and accountability.
Balimwezo appears willing to challenge that unwritten rule of shunning President Museveni and the NRM. He is testing whether an opposition politician can remain loyal to NUP while maintaining constructive working relationships with NRM leaders, ministers and government officials in pursuit of development. If he succeeds, he may redefine what constructive opposition looks like in Uganda.
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