Municipality mayor polls: Voting kicks off on time in Ankole

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Voting for municipality and city division leaders kicked off Tuesday, January 27, 2026,  at 7:00am at various polling stations in the districts of southwestern Uganda.

In Mbarara city, the dispatch of election materials started as early as 5:00am from the Electoral Commission head offices in Mbarara city, to the 305 polling stations in the city.

The exercise was overseen by Mbarara city returning officer Violet Atuhuura, who said they are deploying the use of Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK) across the city.

At Boma Golf-course polling stations in Mbarara city, the chairperson Boma cell, Fred Turyakira, said by 7:00am, the voting exercise had started with the use of BVVK machines.

Turyakira added that security has been beefed up in the area to ensure a peaceful electoral exercise.

In Kabale municipality, the voting materials arrived early at the polling stations and that the voting exercise kicked at as early as 7:00am.

Unlike the early low voter turn-up during last week’s district and city leaders’ polls, the voter turnout this morning has been high at some polling stations, with a big number of voters reported by 8:00am.

Nine candidates in Mbarara

In Mbarara city, nine candidates are competing for mayor seats in the two divisions of Mbarara City North and Mbarara City south.

In Mbarara city south, incumbent Jomo Mugabe, also National Resistance Movement flag-bearer, is tussling it out with Asiimwe Francis Ntengye (independent), Segawa Quraish of the National Unity Platform, Maryfrances Ssemambo Kabatereine (Alliance for National Transformation) and Byamukama Regan (Forum for Democratic Change).

In Mbarara city North, incumbent mayor Gumisiriza Kyabwisho (independent) is competing with Benon Mugume (NRM), Mukasa Kamwebaze (independent) and Nsubuga Nasser (PFF).

In Ibanda municipality, the NRM flag-bearer Johnson Kanyomozi is facing off former mayor Ibanda town council Deusdedit Murinde and Anselm Arinaitwe Ndikora (PFF).

MP elections

Still in Ibanda municipality, voters will also be electing their Members of Parliament today.

According to the Electoral Commission, voting was suspended due to discrepancies in the particulars of candidates appearing on the ballot papers.

In Ntungamo municipality, NRM's JACOB Kafureka, the incumbent Mayor, is tussling it out with Hajji Hakimu Muheki-Rwomushana and Issa Kazimbaya both independents.

In Bushenyi–Ishaka municipality, incumbent Mayor Richard Byaruhanga Nestor – NRM is competing with independents Evarist Mucunguzi - the Municipal Speaker and Jackson Kamugasha.

In Sheema municipality, Lukia Nakalisa, the Sheema Municipality deputy mayor, is the NRM flag bearer. She tussles it out with Moses Bishweko Bansigaraho and Bravo Mwongyera.

In Kabale Municipality, the incumbent Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha, running as an independent, is seeking a 3rd term. He is running against Sam Arinaitwe – NRM and Ronald Ian Mugisha, the Deputy Speaker Kabale District.

In Rukungiri municipality, Denis Ngabirano, the chairperson Southern division, is contesting on PFF ticket, Boaz Kansiime Matita – NRM and Otiku Balikudembe – independent are tussling it out for the Rukungiri municipality mayoral seat.

In Kisoro municipality, five candidates, Alex Nambajimana – NRM, Owen Ahimbisibwe – PFF and independents JohnKing Mbonigaba, Caleb Tuyishime, plus Ramadhan Ndikuyezeare are vying for the mayoral seat.