Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga is a Ugandan civil engineer, academic, community advocate, and prominent political leader known for his long-standing involvement in urban governance and public service. Born on 28 November 1972, he has emerged as one of the most recognizable figures in Kampala’s political and civic landscape, blending technical expertise with grassroots engagement. His career spans engineering practice, university teaching, community development, and leadership at both local and national levels. His personal experiences, including surviving a serious road accident, have significantly shaped his worldview and fueled his mission to reform Kampala’s urban infrastructure and service delivery systems.
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga Early Life
Ronald Balimwezo was born and raised in Nakawa Division, Kampala, where he spent his formative years within an active and socially diverse urban setting. He attended local schools in Nakawa for both his primary and secondary education, developing early interests in academics, sports, and community life. As a youth, he was passionate about athletics, participating in boxing, football, lawn tennis, and running. These early experiences in Kampala exposed him to the everyday challenges of city life, planting the seeds for his later work in urban development and public service.
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga Education
Balimwezo pursued higher education at Makerere University, Uganda’s leading public institution, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering followed by a Master of Science in Civil Engineering. He augmented his academic training with additional diplomas in construction, architecture, and waste management, broadening his technical scope in fields directly linked to urban development. His strong educational foundation laid the groundwork for his later contributions to infrastructure, public works, and governance. Beyond academic study, he became a lecturer at Kyambogo University, training engineers, technicians, and artisans for over a decade — a role that positioned him as a mentor and capacity-builder in Uganda’s engineering sector.
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga Career Outside Politics
Before rising to national political prominence, Balimwezo built a professional career rooted in civil engineering and technical training. He worked as a design and project management engineer, contributing to infrastructure and construction initiatives. His academic work at Kyambogo University strengthened professional training in the engineering field and supported workforce development in infrastructure-related disciplines.
In the civil society sphere, Balimwezo founded the Balimwezo Community Foundation, focusing on pro-poor empowerment, community support programs, and capacity-building among disadvantaged groups in Nakawa and Kampala. His work earned him recognition beyond Uganda, including participation in international leadership programs and honorary ambassadorial engagements related to environmental conservation and civic collaboration.
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga Political Career
Balimwezo entered electoral politics in 2006 when he won a councillor seat in Nakawa Division, marking the beginning of his public leadership journey. In 2011, he was elected Mayor of Nakawa Division, a position he held for two consecutive terms until 2021. As mayor, he became known for his interest in infrastructure, city planning, environmental protection, and civic accountability.
In the 2021 general elections, he transitioned to national politics, contesting and winning the newly created Nakawa East parliamentary seat on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket. As a Member of Parliament, he served in the 11th Parliament and was active on the Physical Infrastructure Committee, aligning his legislative work with his engineering background. His leadership continued to expand in 2023 when he was elected Chairperson of the Kampala City Roads Committee, overseeing road rehabilitation funds and infrastructure oversight in the capital.
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga Accident and Its Influence on His Campaigns
A significant moment in Balimwezo’s personal journey occurred when he was involved in a serious road accident that resulted in the loss of one of his legs. The accident was caused by poor road conditions in Kampala, and Balimwezo has publicly connected this experience to broader systemic failures in road safety, emergency response, and infrastructure governance. Rather than withdrawing from public life, he integrated this experience into his advocacy work, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms in city planning, safer mobility systems, and efficient trauma care. This personal tragedy became a defining theme in his later political messaging, especially during his Kampala mayoral campaign.
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga Political Ambition and 2026 Election Bid
In 2025, Balimwezo announced that he would not seek re-election to Parliament, opting instead to pursue the position of Lord Mayor of Kampala City in the 2026 local elections. He was officially nominated as the NUP flagbearer in September 2025, running on a platform focused on infrastructure renewal, waste management reform, improved service delivery, and accountable governance.
The Kampala mayoral race became one of the most competitive urban elections in decades, featuring both incumbents and new challengers. Balimwezo’s campaign gained momentum across several city divisions, with early tallies from the 2026 polls showing him taking a lead in multiple areas. His bid represented both personal ambition and a strategic effort to bring technically informed leadership into Kampala’s top municipal office.
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga Personal Life and Family
Ronald Balimwezo is married to Rachel Balimwezo, who has accompanied him through key public and political events. Their family continues to gain public attention, especially after the couple welcomed twins — a boy and a girl — in November 2025, giving him the cultural title Ssalongo (father of twins) in Buganda tradition. He is known as a family-oriented leader with interests in sports, youth mentorship, and community wellness. His personal values are rooted in faith, resilience, and a strong drive toward social development.
Conclusion
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga stands as a defining figure in Kampala’s modern political and civic landscape. His life story weaves together engineering expertise, academic mentorship, community activism, and political leadership. From his engineering classroom to the halls of Parliament and the campaign stage, he has consistently championed infrastructure reform, better urban management, and improved public service delivery. His experiences — both professional and personal — continue to shape his vision for Kampala and his broader mission to transform urban governance in Uganda.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga
1. Who is Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga?
Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga is a Ugandan civil engineer, educator, community leader, and political figure known for his work in urban governance, infrastructure advocacy, and public service.
2. What positions has he held in government?
He has served as:
- Councillor for Nakawa Division
- Mayor of Nakawa Division (2011–2021)
- Member of Parliament for Nakawa East (2021 onward)
- Chairperson of the Kampala City Roads Committee
3. Which political party does he belong to?
He belongs to the National Unity Platform (NUP).
4. What is his background in education?
He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Makerere University, along with additional technical diplomas in related fields. He also lectured at Kyambogo University for over a decade.
5. What are his main areas of advocacy?
His work centers on:
- Urban infrastructure and planning
- Road safety and mobility systems
- Waste management and sanitation
- Good governance and service delivery
- Youth and sports development
- Community empowerment
6. Did he contest in the 2026 Kampala elections?
Yes. He contested as the National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer for the position of Lord Mayor of Kampala in the 2026 local elections.
7. How did his accident influence his public life?
He survived a serious road accident that resulted in the loss of his leg. This experience strengthened his commitment to improving road safety, trauma care, and infrastructure in Kampala, becoming a significant theme in his political campaigns.
8. What is his professional experience outside politics?
Outside politics, he worked as a civil engineer, project manager, university lecturer, and founder of the Balimwezo Community Foundation, focusing on technical training and community-development programs.
9. Is he married? Does he have a family?
Yes. He is married to Rachel Balimwezo, and together they welcomed twins in November 2025. He is publicly known as a family-oriented leader.
10. What motivates his political ambitions?
His ambitions are motivated by a vision to transform Kampala into a well-managed, accountable, and strategically planned city, guided by technical knowledge and practical governance.
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