Kampala Lord Mayor aspirant under the Democratic Party (DP) flag, Beatrice Nambi Mao, has outlined a campaign agenda anchored on service delivery, unity, and practical solutions to the city’s long-standing challenges, saying her motivation to run for office is rooted more in public service than partisan politics.
Speaking during NBS Morning Breeze on Wednesday, Nambi, who is also the wife of DP president and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao, said Kampala urgently needs leadership focused on improving the everyday lives of its residents.
“For me, it’s more about service delivery. People of Kampala need services. I’m not into politics,” she said.
Nambi revealed that her vision to lead the capital city was conceived while she was living in Europe, where exposure to better-managed cities inspired her desire to see Kampala transformed.
“I had the vision to be Lord Mayor when I was in Europe. Kampala is the living room of our country. It deserves better,” she said.
Nambi said she has spent considerable time studying conditions on the ground across Kampala’s divisions and described what she observed as deeply troubling.
“I have been studying the ground and what I have seen can’t be described. People of Kampala are really badly off,” she said.
Reflecting on Kampala’s past administration, Nambi argued that the city functioned more efficiently when DP had greater influence in its leadership.
“When DP was in charge of Kampala, it wasn’t as chaotic as it is right now. The moment people vote you to serve them, you need to get to the table with all stakeholders for the betterment of the people,” she said.
Nambi emphasized the need for cooperation across political lines, noting that her party maintains a working relationship with the ruling government—an approach she believes is essential for Kampala’s progress.
“The fact is that we have a working relationship with the ruling government. Kampala needs someone who can bring everyone together for the city’s betterment,” Nambi said.
On urban management challenges, Nambi highlighted poor drainage and waste management as critical issues affecting all divisions of the city.
“In every division I have been to in Kampala, there is an issue of drainage. There is a lot of waste in the drainage channels. First, we need to educate citizens on how to protect the environment,” she said.
Nambi also blamed corruption at City Hall for unchecked construction in wetlands, warning that environmental degradation is worsening the city’s vulnerability to flooding.
“People are building in wetlands because City Hall is engulfed in corruption,” Nambi said.
Earlier this year, Nambi was officially endorsed by the Democratic Party as its sole candidate for the Lord Mayoral seat after her main rival, John Bosco Kamoga, withdrew from the race to allow the party to unite behind one contender.
While her endorsement sparked debate within DP, with some critics alleging favoritism, party officials dismissed the claims, describing the move as a strategic effort to strengthen party cohesion.
This will be Nambi’s second attempt at the Kampala Lord Mayoral seat. In the 2021 general elections, she was disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) due to voter registration issues. She now returns to the race, saying she has “a clean slate and readiness to lead.”
Nambi faces a formidable contest against incumbent Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), who is seeking a fourth consecutive term after first assuming office in 2011.
Other contenders include Eng. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Ibrahim Kasozi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Former Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Naggayi Sempala who is running as an independent, Moses Kizito Nsubuga of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), among others.
In the last election, Lukwago won decisively with 194,592 votes, far ahead of his closest challenger, Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, who garnered 60,082 votes.
With less than a month till Kampala goes to the polls, Nambi says her focus remains clear: delivering tangible services and restoring dignity to the heart of Uganda.