KAMPALA – Former Makerere University Guild President Julius Katerega has been successfully nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest as an independent candidate for the position of Lord Councillor representing Makerere University.
Katerega, popularly known as “KJ” from his student leadership days, enters the race without the backing of the National Unity Platform (NUP) after once again failing to secure the party’s endorsement. This mirrors his 2021 experience, when NUP chose Bashir Kazibwe over him as its flagbearer for the Kawempe South parliamentary seat.
Despite the repeated setbacks, Katerega has remained politically active and leveraged his reputation from Makerere to secure a seat on the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) council as an independent. His latest decision to contest outside party structures has sparked renewed criticism of NUP’s Electoral Management Committee, with social media users calling for greater transparency in party primaries ahead of the 2030 elections.
However, Katerega’s bid is not without controversy. He is currently battling allegations of bribery linked to the Nakivubo drainage channel project, where he and fellow councillors are accused of approving permissions for businessman Hamis Kiggundu’s developments. Katerega has strongly denied the claims.
Critics have also accused him of neglecting his constituents, branding him a “docile” leader who has not lived up to his potential as a public figure. Still, his supporters argue that his resilience and independence demonstrate his ability to withstand political exclusion and remain relevant in Kampala politics.
Katerega now faces a tight race as he seeks to convince Makerere’s student and alumni community that he remains the right voice to represent them on the city council.
