Banura retains Kikuube NRM LC5 flag in landslide victory

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Incumbent Peter Banura has retained the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag for Kikuube district LC5 chairperson seat, defeating former Buhimba town clerk Samuel Muganzi in a landslide.

Banura secured 44,705 votes (85.2% of the total), while Muganzi garnered 7,752 votes (14.8%), according to results declared by Principal Election Officer Paschal Musuuga early Friday, July 25, 2025.

Muganzi, who resigned as Buhimba Town Clerk to pursue politics, campaigned on promises of improved service delivery, arguing his prior administrative role limited his capacity to effect change. However, voters overwhelmingly backed Banura, who pledged to prioritise roads, healthcare, education, and land reforms.

The primaries saw low turnout, with only 52,457 of 130,000 registered NRM voters participating. Musuuga attributed this to lingering distrust following irregularities in the July 17 NRM parliamentary primaries, which marred the process in multiple polling stations. Despite this, he hailed the LC5 election as “free, fair, and peaceful,” urging supporters to unite ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Nkalu ousted in a shocking upset

In a separate race, Kikuube district speaker Chris Nkalu suffered a stunning defeat to Johnson Katusiime, his 2021 rival. Katusiime secured 2,511 votes (45.5%), while Nkalu trailed with 2,229 votes (40.4%). Independent candidate Steven Baganchwere earned 544 votes (9.8%), and Byomugabi Ferdinand garnered 240 (4.3%).

Nkalu rejected the results, alleging widespread fraud, including unregistered voters casting ballots and compromised polling agents. “The process was manipulated,” he said, vowing to contest as an independent in 2026.

A call for accountability and unity

Banura, celebrating his victory, thanked supporters and reaffirmed his commitment to development. Meanwhile, Musuuga urged NRM members to set aside differences and rally behind the party’s candidates.

The elections highlight deepening intra-party tensions and voter disillusionment, even as the NRM seeks to consolidate support ahead of a challenging 2026 race. With leaders like Nkalu breaking ranks, the party faces a reckoning over transparency and internal democracy.