Local govt council nominations: Jinja City nomination frenzy hits peak

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Jinja City’s political landscape is being reshaped by a wave of independents as the local government council nomination exercise for the 2026 General Election exploded into high gear on its second day (September 4, 2025), leaving major parties scrambling to keep pace.

With aspirants flooding the Electoral Commission offices hours before dawn, Thursday’s session transformed the once-quiet venue into a hive of placards, party chants, and last-minute paperwork, signalling a dramatic shift in the city’s power dynamics.

Al Hajj Nagaya speaking to journalists after being duly nominated to run for the Jinja Mayorship position. (Photo by Doreen Musingo)

The mayoral battle: Eight vie for leadership

The race for city mayor now boasts eight contenders, dominated by independents and defectors from established parties. Among them is;

• Al-Hajj Nagaya Abdulhafidh (NRM), pledging to revive Jinja’s industrial and tourism glory: “Once we install security street lights, reactivate tourism, and engage youths in sports, we’ll directly fight unemployment and crime.”
  
  
• Geoffrey Lubowa Lubega (PFF), denied a NUP card but now championing youth empowerment: “I’ll equip young people with hands-on skills and lobby for job placements,” declared the director of Jinja Vocational Institute Kitovu.
  
  
• Simon Nsadha (FDC) and independent Ali Ngia are rounding out a fiercely contested field.
  
  

Council comebacks and fresh faces

Incumbents seeking re-election include FDC’s Joshua Bagole (aiming for a third term) and Anges Juliet Kadama (Jinja South, second term bid). But the real story lies in the independents’ surge:

Beatrice Achieng, transitioning from Walukuba East Parish to Jinja South East City Council, vowed to bridge grassroots needs with urban planning.

Newcomer Rebecca Norah Namusabi, Workers’ Councillor candidate, emphasised policy advocacy, promising to influence decisions addressing workers’ special needs through impactful policymaking.

Veteran labour advocate Moses Baleeka sharpened his focus with a promise to fight for workers’ rights and ensure media enterprises understand their concerns to overcome challenges.

Adding intrigue, two radio journalists, Ivan Mutyaba and Joel Balondemu, joined the fray as nominated councillors, blurring lines between media and governance.

Electoral Commission optimistic

Jinja city EC returning officer Flavia Nakasi confirmed the momentum shift, saying, “We’re seeing more activity today. Many aspirants have responded positively, and we expect even more on the last day (Friday).” She revealed 32 candidates now cleared nominations, including four mayoral hopefuls (swelling the field to eight), 6 workers’ representatives, and 22 councillors spanning both city divisions.

Independents winning the ground 

Analysts note independents’ dominance stems from deep community roots and frustration with party gatekeeping. With NUP denying Lubega its card and FDC’s Nsadha facing stiff competition, grassroots appeal trumps party machinery. As one aspirant put it: “People want solutions, not party labels.”