Jinxed no more: Kambale breaks Kasese municipality's one-term curse

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Incumbent Kasese Municipality Member of Parliament Ferigo Kambale has shattered the urban area’s “one-term curse,” securing a second term in the House.

With 11,899 votes, 2,112 more than his closest rival, independent candidate Kithulha (9,787), National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag-bearer Kambale became the first MP in Kasese Municipality’s history to win re-election, ending a cycle that saw every previous lawmaker ousted after one term.

Established on July 1, 2010, Kasese municipality emerged from a town council (formed in 1974) and was carved from Busongora South Constituency. The area's rapid growth made it a political battleground, with each MP since 2010 serving only one term: Ruling NRM’s James Mbahimba lost to Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)’s Robert Centenary in 2016, who in turn fell to Kambale in 2021. The January 15, 2026, victory is likely a historic shift.

Kambale’s vision

Speaking at Kasese District’s tally centre on January 16, Kambale credited his success to fulfilling voter expectations.

Supporters of Ferigo Kambale celebrating his victory on the streets of Kasese Municipality. (Photo by Samuel Amanyire)

“I’ve delivered on my promises,” he said, citing the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program, a World Bank-funded initiative that brought shillings 53 billion to Kasese. Under his leadership, the municipality used the funds to revamp road networks and beautify urban spaces, earning recognition as a top project implementer nationally.

“The town is now clean and smart,” Kambale said.

“We balanced shillings 11 billion after completing projects and used it to build more roads and fence the municipal headquarters.”

He claimed funding skills training programmes, including driving, tailoring and hairdressing courses for residents.

Kambale pledged to tackle lingering challenges, including Nyamwamba River flooding, securing more road funds and ensuring projects in the pipeline materialise.

Kithulha concedes defeat

Kithulha, who was on an independent ticket, conceded defeat on January 18 but vowed to remain active.

"The rumours of my hospitalisation were false,” he told the media.

“My supporters should stay peaceful and focus on 2031.”

He pledged to continue supporting community initiatives like the Rwenzori Marathon and bursaries for nursing students.

Key Results 

• Ferigo Kambale (NRM): 11,899 votes  
• Kithulha (Independent): 9,787 votes  
• Robert Centenary (FDC): 5,141 votes  
• Robert Mitoma (NUP): 1,014 votes  
• Kidi Mafunguro (PFF): 147 votes
• John Katusabe (Independent) 132 votes