• Hon. Balimwezo says he cannot meet President Museveni without consulting NUP leadership.
• He insists his loyalty lies fully with NUP and party president Robert Kyagulanyi.
• The Kampala Lord Mayor-elect says every decision he makes must reflect the people’s mandate and party consensus.

Appearing on Sanyuka TV’s Morning Express Show, newly elected Kampala Lord Mayor, Hon. Balimwezo Ronald Nsubuga, found himself facing a question many opposition leaders eventually confront: would he be willing to meet President Yoweri Museveni to discuss issues affecting Kampala, despite their political differences?

The question wasn’t just hypothetical. The show’s host drew a comparison to New York City Mayor Zohran K. Mamdani, who reportedly made meeting President Donald Trump one of his first moves in office, believing dialogue could help bridge political divides for the good of the people.

Hon. Balimwezo’s response was calm, clear, and unwavering. He made it known that while leadership often calls for difficult choices, he does not take such matters lightly or make them alone.

Throughout his campaign and election journey, he said, the National Unity Platform (NUP) stood firmly by him, offering overwhelming support that carried him to victory. Because of that, acting independently on such a sensitive political decision would feel like a betrayal of that trust.

He emphasized that his loyalty remains firmly with the party that backed him and with its president, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. Should a situation ever arise where meeting President Museveni becomes necessary for the interests of Kampala, Balimwezo says there would first be consultations within the party—starting with Kyagulanyi himself.

“I am very loyal to the National Unity Platform and my president, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, who was denied his rightful win,” Balimwezo said. “I believe in him, and if such a situation ever presented itself, I would first sit down with him before making any decision on my own.” He added that even something as simple as sharing a cup of coffee with President Museveni would be unthinkable without party consensus.

For Balimwezo, this stance is not about personal pride or political theatrics. It is about respecting the will of the people who voted for him and standing by the leadership he believes represents them.

As he settles into his role as Kampala’s Lord Mayor, he says loyalty will remain his guiding principle—shaping every decision he makes throughout his term.