In a stunning turn of events in Kampala’s local government elections, Ali Bukeni, widely known as Nubian Li, the famed musician-turned-politician, has been declared the new Mayor of Nakawa Division following closely watched polls held on Tuesday this week. The announcement caps a dramatic campaign season marked by spirited competition, legal skirmishes, and deep political undercurrents in one of the capital’s most contested divisions.
Nubian Li — contesting on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket — emerged victorious over a field that included incumbent mayor Paul Mugambe, who ran as an independent following a bitter split with his former party, and the NRM’s Susan Zawedde, in a race that captured public attention across Kampala.
Nubian Li A Road from Music to Political Office
Nubian Li’s political journey began long before ballots were cast. A household name in Uganda’s music scene, the artist gradually shifted into politics, drawing inspiration from his close ally, NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), and declaring his intention to serve his community in Nakawa as early as 2025. Prior to securing the mayoral bid, he was confirmed as the NUP candidate for Nakawa Division.
His campaign trail was characterised by vibrant rallies, grassroots outreach, and bold pledges to tackle local governance challenges, including persistent waste management problems, youth unemployment, and poor drainage — pressing issues that residents routinely raise. Observers say his celebrity status coupled with a home-grown political message resonated strongly among younger voters and disenfranchised urban residents.
The road to Nakawa’s mayoral seat was far from smooth. During the nomination exercise in late 2025, Nubian Li was briefly taken into police custody — a move that sparked protests from opposition figures and civil liberties advocates, who criticised what they saw as politically motivated detention ahead of a crucial election year.
Meanwhile, Paul Mugambe’s independent run after being dropped by NUP exposed fault lines within the party’s local structures and sparked debates about internal cohesion ahead of the larger 2026 general polls.
Although official tallies from the Electoral Commission are still being finalised and published, early indications from credible local media and political observers confirm Nubian Li as Nakawa Division’s mayor-elect, a stunning political milestone for the artist who once dominated airwaves now poised to lead one of Kampala’s busiest divisions.
Political analysts argue that his victory underscores a broader trend in Kampala’s urban politics — where charismatic figures with strong community ties and youth appeal are increasingly reshaping the local political landscape. With voter turnout a persistent worry across Kampala’s polls and allegations of procedural irregularities haunting parts of the election cycle, Nubian Li’s ascent will be closely watched by supporters and critics alike.
In his first remarks after being declared winner, he extended a message of unity, promising transparent leadership and an administration focused on service delivery across Nakawa’s diverse communities. The coming months will test his ability to translate popularity into effective governance.
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