Africa-Press – Uganda. Igara West Member of Parliament Louis Mbwatekamwa Gaffa Rukaari has declared his intention to run for Mbarara City Mayor in the 2026 general elections as an independent candidate, citing an unfair disqualification from the NRM primaries.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Mbarara, Mbwatekamwa confirmed he had been denied the NRM nomination last month over what he termed baseless claims about not owning land in the city. He accused elements within the party of orchestrating his exclusion due to fears about his political influence.
“I was blocked from picking nomination forms without any factual basis. They claimed I don’t have a land title in Mbarara, but the truth is, they feared my strength,” he said.
Mbwatekamwa, however, insisted that he still considers himself part of the NRM unless formally expelled.
“I have not abandoned NRM. I am contesting as an independent, but NRM-leaning,” he stated.
His campaign symbol is a clock, which he says reflects urgency and a new era for the city. “The time is now to rejuvenate the city of milk and honey,” he said, outlining priorities including sanitation, education, infrastructure, and the night economy.
“We need to first address sanitation. For example, many buildings lack proper toilet facilities. We will install public toilets across the city so people don’t have to pay to relieve themselves,” he pledged.
He also proposed reforms in waste management, including dual garbage containers for recyclable and non-recyclable materials, and mandatory connection of large buildings to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation system to end reliance on septic tanks.
Mbwatekamwa, often labelled a “political trader” for representing multiple constituencies—including Kasambya in Mubende and now Igara West in Bushenyi—dismissed criticism that vying for city mayor was a demotion.
“It is my constitutional right to contest anywhere in Uganda,” he said. “Those calling it a demotion should remember leaders like Norbert Mao, who left Parliament for LC5, Erias Lukwago who left Parliament for Kampala Lord Mayor, and Rose Namayanja who also switched from MP to Masaka Mayor.”
His announcement came just two days after incumbent mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi was declared the NRM flagbearer for the 2026–2031 term.
“I congratulate Kakyebezi on winning the flag. We will have an interesting race,” Mbwatekamwa said. “I call upon those who didn’t make it in the primaries to join me. We had similar aspirations and can still realise them together.”
Mbwatekamwa’s declaration sets the stage for a high-profile contest in Mbarara City, pitting an independent but NRM-aligned challenger against the party’s official candidate in what is shaping up to be one of the region’s most closely watched mayoral races.
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