The race for Nakawa Division mayor has kicked off in dramatic fashion after the nomination of several candidates at the Electoral Commission offices in Ntinda today.

Incumbent mayor Paul Mugambe was cleared to contest as an independent under the clock symbol, pledging to strengthen service delivery.

He claimed he has faced intimidation since announcing his independent bid but said his supporters had urged him to stand again.

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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, Susan Zawedde, promised to unite Nakawa residents and accelerate development, accusing the opposition of failing to deliver tangible results for the community.

Musician-turned-politician Buken Ali, widely known as Nubian Li, was also nominated on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket.

But shortly after addressing journalists outside the EC offices, he was arrested by police and bundled into a patrol truck.

His supporters, led by Nakawa East MP Ronald Balimwezo, clashed with security personnel as they demanded his release.

Balimwezo later appealed for calm, saying police assured him Nubian Li was being escorted home. Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owesigyire confirmed the arrest, explaining that security had intelligence indicating Nubian Li planned to hold a procession with his convoy, which authorities feared could disrupt traffic and public order. Police described the move as a preventive measure to avert possible unrest.

With Mugambe, Zawedde, and Nubian Li now officially in the race, the Nakawa mayoral contest is expected to be among the most closely watched battles in Kampala ahead of the 2026 general election.