Barely 100 days into her tenure as Mbale City’s first female Lord Mayor, Joyce Kidulu is already facing mounting political pressure, intense criticism and a growing debate over her leadership style.
Kidulu’s election marked a historic milestone in the city’s political history, breaking decades of male dominance in the Lord Mayor’s office. However, what many expected to be a moment of celebration has increasingly been overshadowed by political disagreements, public scrutiny and questions about the direction of her administration.
Her supporters believe some of the hostility directed at her could be linked to resistance from political interests uncomfortable with her emergence and approach to public administration. Critics, however, maintain that an elected leader must remain open to scrutiny and accountability.
The debate has consequently raised a broader question: Is Kidulu being judged on her performance, or is her leadership facing resistance because she has challenged established political traditions?
A journey defined by resilience
Kidulu’s political journey reflects years of professional service, community engagement and determination.
A trained teacher, she spent approximately a decade in primary education before moving into development work, where she served for more than 15 years as a Project Director with Compassion International.
Between 2015 and 2026, she served as Country Director of Wise Choices for Life Uganda, an organisation involved in reproductive health, teenage pregnancy prevention and poverty-related interventions, particularly in Eastern Uganda.
She has also been actively involved in religious and community leadership, rising to become Vice President of the Mothers’ Union in Mbale Diocese.
Academically, Kidulu holds a Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education, alongside a Master of Arts in Organisational Leadership and Management from Uganda Christian University.
Her professional background provided a foundation for her eventual entry into elective politics.
In 2021, she contested for the position of Mayor of Mbale Industrial Division but lost to Mahmoud Masaba, who is now the Member of Parliament for Bungokho Central.
Rather than abandon her political ambitions, Kidulu returned to the political arena in 2026, this time determined to compete for the city’s highest political office.
Historic victory against nine male contestants
On January 23, 2026, Kidulu made history after defeating nine male contestants, including incumbent Lord Mayor Cassimu Namugali, to become Mbale City’s first female Lord Mayor.
Running as an independent candidate, she secured 10,920 votes against NRM’s Vincent Magombe, who polled 10,682 votes, giving her a narrow victory margin of 238 votes.
Her election represented more than a personal political achievement. For many women and young people, it demonstrated that leadership opportunities need not be determined by gender or established political structures.
It also marked a significant shift in Mbale City’s political landscape, where the top city leadership position had traditionally been occupied by men.
The growing battle over her leadership
Much of the discussion surrounding Kidulu’s administration centres on her approach to transparency, accountability and the management of public resources.
Her supporters portray her as a straightforward leader determined to introduce greater discipline into city administration, particularly in the handling of municipal tenders, contracts and other public opportunities.
They argue that her reported insistence on fair and competitive procurement processes could threaten individuals who have become accustomed to benefiting from established administrative arrangements.
However, such claims require independent verification, and any concerns about procurement or administrative conduct should be addressed through the appropriate oversight institutions.
Her supporters have also alleged that some individuals opposed to her leadership have resorted to personal attacks, negative publicity and online campaigns intended to damage her reputation.
While political criticism is a legitimate part of democratic leadership, the distinction between constructive scrutiny and personal attacks remains important.
For a newly elected leader, the challenge is to navigate political opposition while remaining accountable to the electorate.
Is gender part of the political equation?
Kidulu’s experience has also reignited conversations about the challenges women face when seeking and exercising political leadership.
Although Uganda has made progress in promoting women’s participation in governance, women in prominent political positions can still encounter heightened scrutiny, gender stereotypes and attempts to question their leadership abilities.
It would be unfair to suggest that every criticism against Kidulu is motivated by sexism. Equally, it would be premature to dismiss the possibility that gender prejudice may influence some of the hostility directed at her.
Her supporters argue that she should be judged by the decisions she makes, the services she delivers and the results she achieves, rather than her gender or the fact that she emerged as an independent candidate.
Electoral petition puts spotlight on Mbale politics
The political contest surrounding Kidulu’s election has also extended to the courts.
Following the January 2026 polls, her rival, Vincent Magombe, challenged the election outcome through an electoral petition.
The legal challenge has added another dimension to the political contest, with the final determination expected to provide clarity on the disputed election.
Both parties are entitled to due process, and the independence of the judiciary must be respected. The court, rather than political campaigns or social media debates, should determine the legal questions raised in the petition.
Mbale residents want service delivery
Beyond the political disagreements, residents of Mbale City are primarily concerned about service delivery, infrastructure development, effective urban planning, economic opportunities and accountability in the use of public resources.
These should be the central measures through which Kidulu’s first 100 days and subsequent performance are assessed.
Her supporters believe she deserves sufficient room to implement her leadership agenda, while her critics have every democratic right to question her decisions and demand tangible results.
Ultimately, breaking political barriers is only the beginning. Sustaining public confidence requires demonstrable achievements, transparency and inclusive leadership.
Kidulu’s historic election has already secured her a place in Mbale’s political history. The greater test now is whether her administration can translate that breakthrough into meaningful improvements in the lives of city residents.
For Mbale, the priority should be a leadership environment where accountability is encouraged, political differences are respected and service delivery takes precedence over personal and political rivalries.