Table of Contents
When did Engineer Ronald Balimwezo welcome twins?
National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer for Kampala Lord Mayor, Hon. Eng. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, has become a new father to a set of twins. The announcement, shared on social media late Saturday 30 November 2025, has sparked an outpouring of congratulations from political allies, family, and supporters, blending personal triumph with the fervor of his ongoing campaign. People are now referring to him as Ssalongo which is the same title Lukwago possessed, meaning he has equalized. On top of that, people love him because he’s an engineer and so they think he has a plan.
When exactly were the twins born?
The newborns—a boy and a girl—arrived safely on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at an undisclosed medical facility in Kampala, marking a momentous milestone for Balimwezo and his wife, Rachel. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) timestamped at 1:31 p.m EAT, Balimwezo, now proudly bearing the Luganda title “Ssalongo” (father of twins), expressed profound gratitude: “Kati mpitibwa Ssalongo. I’m so greatful to God for the gift of the newest members of the family. What a wonderful day.”
Accompanying the message were two tender photographs: one capturing the infants swaddled in white blankets, their tiny faces peeking out with matching bows, and another showing the couple cradling their newest additions, smiles radiating amid the exhaustion of new parenthood.
How are the mother and babies doing?
Rachel Balimwezo, who accompanied her husband during his nomination for the Lord Mayor race in September, was reported to be in stable condition post-delivery, with both mother and babies described as healthy by close family sources. The couple, married for over a decade and already parents to two children, had kept the pregnancy relatively private amid Balimwezo’s intensifying political schedule. Insiders close to the family revealed that the twins’ arrival was anticipated but came as a “double blessing,” echoing the joyous surprise in Balimwezo’s online revelation.
Who led the public congratulations from the political class?
The news quickly rippled through Uganda’s political and social spheres, with messages of goodwill flooding in from across the spectrum. Among the most prominent was a heartfelt post from Leader of the Opposition and fellow NUP parliamentarian, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, MP for Nakawa West. At 8:24 a.m. EAT on Sunday, Ssenyonyi wrote on X: “Congratulations Ssalongo Balimwezo,” attaching a photo of the twins that has since garnered over 1,900 likes and hundreds of shares.
Ssenyonyi’s endorsement carries particular weight, given the duo’s longstanding camaraderie within the NUP. The two lawmakers, both representing Nakawa constituencies, have a shared history dating back to 2020 when they amicably resolved a primary contest, allowing Balimwezo to run for Nakawa East MP while Ssenyonyi pursued Nakawa West. Their alliance has since solidified as a cornerstone of the party’s urban mobilization efforts in Kampala.
Who is Ronald Balimwezo?
Hon. Eng. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, 45, is a civil engineer, former Nakawa Division Mayor (once voted best-performing municipal leader in Uganda), and the National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer for Kampala Lord Mayor in the 2026 elections. A Makerere University Master’s graduate and former Kyambogo University lecturer, he lost part of one leg in a road accident caused by potholes—an experience that fuels his campaign to fix Kampala’s infrastructure.
Known for his Balimwezo Community Foundation and anti-corruption stance, he is challenging incumbent Erias Lukwago while navigating police confrontations and intense political rivalry in the capital. On November 29, 2025, he officially became “Ssalongo” after his wife Rachel gave birth to a boy and a girl, instantly turning the soft-spoken engineer into one of the most talked-about fathers in Ugandan politics.
How did the wider public and media react?
Ssenyonyi’s congratulations set off a chain of responses from NUP stalwarts and opposition figures. Party spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro echoed the sentiment, posting, “What a divine timing! Ssalongo Balimwezo, may these twins bring you the strength to deliver Kampala from its woes.” Even across party lines, Democratic Party’s Beatrice Mao, Balimwezo’s rival in the mayoral race, extended well-wishes, underscoring a rare moment of unity in the fractious Kampala political arena.
Social media erupted with celebratory posts, turning the twins into instant stars. Entertainment outlet Exclusive.Bizz shared a photo of the family, captioning it: “Hon. Balimwezo and wife welcome a set of twins,” amassing over 2,700 likes within hours.
Radio 4 Ensunsuzi, a popular Kampala station, declared: “A new Ssalongo in town! Hon. Balimwezo and his wife are pleased to announce the arrival of their twins.” Celeb Patrol UG captured the mood with: “Joy and celebrations fill the home of Kampala Lord Mayor hopeful Eng. Balimwezo after he and his wife were blessed with a beautiful set of twins.” The hashtag #SsalongoBalimwezo trended locally in a digital parade of support.
What personal tragedies drive Balimwezo’s political campaign?
For Balimwezo, a civil engineer turned politician with over two decades in public service, this personal joy arrives at a pivotal juncture. Nominated as NUP’s candidate for Lord Mayor on September 4, 2025, the 45-year-old has positioned himself as a pragmatic reformer in a race dominated by incumbent Erias Lukwago of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).
Balimwezo’s campaign launch was anything but subdued; hours after his nomination at the Kampala District offices, a clash between police and supporters in Bwaise highlighted the tensions simmering in the capital’s opposition strongholds. Undeterred, he has campaigned on a platform addressing Kampala’s chronic urban decay—potentially amplified by his own life-altering experiences.
In April 2025, Balimwezo announced his bid during Easter prayers at Old Kampala, citing two tragedies as catalysts: the loss of his leg in a road accident due to pothole-riddled streets, and the 2022 Kiteezi landfill collapse that claimed dozens of lives. “I’ve been a mayor, and I know the problems of Kampala intimately,” he declared then, vowing to prioritize infrastructure and waste management.
What credentials does the new “Ssalongo” bring to the Lord Mayor race?
As former Mayor of Nakawa Division—where he was once voted the best-performing municipal leader—Balimwezo brings a resume bolstered by his Master’s in Civil Engineering from Makerere University and a stint as a lecturer at Kyambogo University. His Balimwezo Community Foundation has long championed pro-poor initiatives, from youth mentorship to sanitation drives, earning him endorsements like the U.S. State Department’s emerging leaders program.
What challenges still lie ahead for his campaign?
Yet, the road to City Hall remains fraught. The Electoral Commission has cautioned against premature campaigning, a warning that came amid the chaos of Balimwezo’s nomination day. Police deployments have shadowed NUP events, with party officials like Abubaker Kawalya accusing security forces of selective enforcement to stifle opposition voices.
Balimwezo himself has faced scrutiny over parliamentary service awards, which he publicly denied accepting, reaffirming his anti-corruption stance. In this “battle of Salongos,” as one X user quipped—referencing the Luganda tradition of twin fathers forming a fraternity—the twins’ arrival could symbolize renewal, injecting fresh vigor into a campaign already buoyed by grassroots enthusiasm.
Why is the birth of twins culturally significant in Buganda?
As the sun set on November 29, Balimwezo’s post drew replies from fellow “Ssalongos,” including one from Nasser Byaruhanga: “Mashallah congratulations to u hon salongo balimwezo Ronald i welcome u in the team of salongos because me i have 2 sets of twins.” The lighthearted camaraderie belies deeper cultural resonance; in Buganda tradition, the birth of twins is a sacred event, often celebrated with communal rituals and seen as a harbinger of prosperity. For a candidate whose slogan invokes “making Kampala work,” it feels poetically apt.
Balimwezo has yet to comment publicly on how fatherhood will intersect with his schedule, but sources indicate the family plans a low-key traditional introduction ceremony in the coming weeks. As Kampala’s political pulse quickens toward the 2026 polls, this double blessing serves as a reminder: even in the arena of power struggles, life’s quiet miracles endure.
The NUP family and beyond wish the Balimwezos health, happiness, and harmony in this new chapter. For now, amid the campaign’s clamor, two tiny heartbeats beat a rhythm of hope.
