Jacob Kafureka Jakajex has been re-elected Mayor of Ntungamo Municipality after winning a fourth term in elections held on Thursday.
Kafureka polled 3,320 votes to defeat two independent candidates—Isa Kazimbaya, who garnered 791 votes, and Hakim Muhekyi, who secured 1,010 votes—according to results announced by the District Returning Officer, Charles Wafula.
The victory extends Kafureka’s leadership of the municipality, where he has served three consecutive terms, and positions him to lead Ntungamo for the 2026–2031 term.
Speaking shortly after his declaration, Kafureka pledged to prioritise infrastructure development and improved service delivery in his new term, identifying key projects he intends to implement immediately.
“We are now going to build the central market, improve the taxi park, upgrade roads and work on street lighting. By February, this town will be fully lit,” Kafureka said.
He attributed his continued electoral success to inclusive leadership and a commitment to serving all residents without discrimination.
“The reason people continue to support me is because I work for them without segregation. Ntungamo is for all of us,” he added.
Kafureka also pledged continuity in development and alignment with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) agenda, saying he would build on progress already made.
“I have been mayor and I will start from where I reached. Ntungamo will continue developing. As NRM, I will uphold the President’s manifesto and embrace continuity and development,” he said.
Acknowledging existing gaps in municipal infrastructure, the mayor-elect said addressing them would be a priority and called for unity among political leaders, technical staff and residents to ensure coordinated development.
He commended voters and election officials for maintaining peace throughout the electoral process and thanked his supporters for their continued trust.
The election was conducted using Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK) across all polling stations, a process electoral officials said enhanced transparency and credibility.
Returning Officer Charles Wafula noted that the technology helped prevent multiple voting and impersonation, contributing to a smooth exercise.
Following Kafureka’s declaration, celebrations broke out at the tally centre as supporters gathered in jubilation.
Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner, Miriam Kagaiga, praised residents for safeguarding the ruling party’s political gains in the municipality.
She thanked voters for supporting the NRM flag and urged continued backing of government programmes and development initiatives.