Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi has been declared the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer for the Mbarara City mayoral seat after securing a decisive win in the party primaries.
Kakyebezi garnered 19,800 votes, accounting for 41% of the total ballots cast, in results announced early Friday morning by city returning officer Patrick Kaweesi. The tightly contested race extended late into the night before the final tally was confirmed.
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His closest challenger, Seth Murari, received 12,926 votes (28.2%), followed by Herbert Kamugisha with 6,541 votes (14.3%). Dan Ruhemba Kamusiime polled 4,137 votes (9%), while Evelyn Walimbwa managed 2,984 votes (6.5%). Other candidates, Godwin Nsimire and Elias Ahimbisibwe, trailed with 343 votes (0.7%) and 91 votes (0.2%) respectively.
Speaking after his victory was announced at around 2:20 a.m., Kakyebezi thanked the people of Mbarara City for what he described as a vote for “reason and service delivery.”
“I want to thank you for not bending to intimidation. Your trust and resilience have brought us this far,” he said.
He extended a hand of reconciliation to his opponents, urging party unity in the run-up to the general elections. “We are a family. I call upon my fellow candidates, especially Herbert Kamugisha and the rest, to rally behind me so we can secure victory for the party,” he added.
Kakyebezi, who is seeking re-election as mayor, also commended the security forces for ensuring a peaceful primary process. He singled out Deputy RCC Robert Kanusu for overseeing security during the exercise.
“This peaceful election reaffirms the NRM’s strength in this region,” he said. “Our task now is to consolidate support and mmobilizeahead of the 2026 elections.”
His nomination sets the stage for what is expected to be a competitive mayoral race in Mbarara City, as opposition parties prepare to challenge the NRM stronghold.
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