Erias Lukwago Ssalongo (born 11 May 1970) is a Ugandan lawyer, politician and former Lord Mayor of Kampala. He was defeated by Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo in the January 2026 general election.
He was voted out of office on 25 November 2013 by councillors after a tribunal found him guilty of incompetence and abuse of office.
After being re-elected in the January 2021 general election, Lukwago was sworn in for his third term as Lord Mayor of Kampala in May 2021.
Background and education
He was born in Kabungo Village, in present-day
Kalungu District, on 11 May 1970, to Muhhamoud Mirundi and Salmati Nakayaga. Lukwago is reported to have more than twenty siblings.
Lukwago attended Makerere University between 1995 until 1997, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree. He went on to obtain a
Law practice from the Law Development Center in 1998. He also holds a Certificate in Advocacy Skills from the International Law Institute.
Work experience
Since 1998, Lukwago has worked as the managing partner in the offices of
Lukwago and Company Advocates, a
Kampala-based law firm that specializes in constitutional law and human rights law. In 2005, he was elected to the Ugandan Parliament, on the Democratic Party ticket, representing the Central Kampala Constituency. While in parliament, he served on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and on the Local Government Accounts Committee. He resigned from Parliament in 2011 and was elected
Lord Mayor of the City of Kampala. Lukwago has in the past served as national legal adviser to the Democratic Party in
Uganda, and as
Shadow Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
On 20 May 2011, Lukwago was sworn in as Lord Mayor of Kampala for a five-year term.
Allegations and disputes
In 2025, Lukwago faced internal disputes within the Kampala Capital City Authority council relating to land management and development issues, including matters concerning the
Nakivubo Channel and land in Nakawuka. Councillor Faridah Nakabugo publicly accused him of involvement in alleged irregular land compensation schemes and raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving his private legal practice. She further alleged that individuals associated with him had sought compensation for land under dispute. Lukwago denied the accusations, and no court ruling or formal charges were reported in connection with the claims.
The tensions between Lukwago and some councillors later escalated into a public confrontation at City Hall, where Nakabugo reportedly sought clarification over statements she claimed had damaged her political reputation. The incident was defused without physical altercation. The exchanges reflected broader political disagreements within the council, particularly concerning urban development projects and the management of public land, ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Personal life
Erias Lukwago is married to Zawedde Lubwama Lukwago and they have six children including twins. He has in the past been a member of the Democratic Party in Uganda, although in the 2011 elections he ran as an independent.
On 28 July 2020, he officially joined the Forum for Democratic Change, (FDC) political party.
See also
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Kampala Capital City Authority
-
Forum for Democratic Change
-
Medard Lubega Sseggona
External links
