The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)’s new bossest Sharifah Buzeki and her deputy Benon Moses Kigenyi have been sworn in as Executive Director Deputy Executive Director, respectively.
The acting ED Frank Rusa and Robert Nowere, who handed over the offcies to the new leadership at an event presided over by Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, at the Mayor’s Parlor in Kmapala.
while taking over offcie Buzeki thanked President Museveni for her appointment and pledged to lead with “dedication, humility, and diligence.”
Outlining her vision for the city, Buzeki promised to tackle key challenges including waste management, urban planning, and public transportation.
“Kampala has tremendous potential. I aim to fast-track the acquisition of land for waste disposal, encourage innovative waste management strategies, and ensure timely payments for city cleaners,” she said. She also emphasized the need to digitalize public services, strengthen urban planning, improve security, and foster inclusivity.
Acknowledging the pressing issue of corruption, Buzeki vowed to strengthen anti-corruption measures and automate services to ensure transparency.
“We must make corruption a high-risk venture for our employees and everyone else,” she declared. She further committed to maintaining Kampala as a clean and green city while revitalizing its economy and exploring ways to widen the revenue base.
Buzeki called on all stakeholders, including KCCA staff, to work diligently alongside her to unlock the city’s potential. “Together, we can transform Kampala into an enjoyable, inclusive, and prosperous city,” she affirmed.
The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda, urged the new leaders to focus on serving the people of Kampala, emphasizing their transformative roles in addressing challenges such as poor roads, drainage systems, and garbage management.
The Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago congratulated Buzeki and Kigenyi on their appointments, pledging his support for their leadership.
Outgoing acting Executive Director Frank Rusa reflected on his 111-day tenure, thanking his family, President Museveni, and the KCCA staff for their support.
He highlighted the complexities of managing Kampala, which the new management should brace for, particularly in governance, and called for continued collaboration between the technical and political wings of KCCA.
“Contrary to common belief, it is possible for both wings to work together for the common good,” he noted.
Rusa also identified chronic underfunding, solid waste management, and human resource challenges as critical issues that need to be addressed. He expressed confidence in the new leadership’s ability to navigate these complexities, urging all stakeholders to lend their support.
Nakyobe recognized the contributions of the outgoing leadership and reminded the incoming team of the challenges ahead.
“Your roles are not only about leadership but also transformation,” Nakyobe said.
Yunus Kakande, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, described Kampala as one of East Africa’s most complex cities to manage and advised the new leaders to work closely with the KCCA Council members, the Lord Mayor and ministers to achieve their goals.
Public Expectationsn:
Ugandans have expressed hope and outlined the major problems that need urgent fixing – following the fast appointment of the new Executive and Deputy Directors of Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA).
Among the major problems facing the city that Ugandans want the new leadership to deal with decisively in the new year include but not limited to the menace that is boda -bodas that clog the city roads and create endless jam besides being reckless and dont follow traffic rules while on the roads. It is estimated that there are over 500,000 boda bodas in Kampala alone.
” Let the boda bodas be kept out of the central district . They should operate in the suburbs and with gazetted stages which are well managed . Enforcement of traffic regulations must be a must to restore sanity on the city roads . The new leadership should encourage the introduction of buses and set up bus lanes across the city . Uganda’s automakers ,Kiira Motors are producing electric buses which should be deployed to reduce traffic jam and pollution by end of life vehicles, ” Elias Sonko stated on his social media platforms.
Janet Kabagambe said that Kampala should be kept “green and clean .” She said that Kampala’s streets should be kept clean both during day and night . ” There should be penalties for littering and dumping of waste in drainage channels . The communities especially in the markets should be mobilised to enforce regulations against dumping waste on roads and drainage channels across the city . The law and regulations should be enforced without political considerations. Some of these services should be decentralized to the divisions with strict performance targets pegged on budget allocations ,” she advised .
Another resident noted that there is a lot of noise pollution in the city from entertainment places and churches which needs to be dealt with. Some churches in the suburbs are untouchable . People don’t sleep as these centers use loud speakers to pray during day and night from Monday to Monday . “These issues need strong leadership that should whip people in line ,” daniel Kabagambe added.
Other problems that have been mentioned by the residents include the problem of poor planning where people build anywhere and everywhere . ” You find buildings constructed on drainage channels , road reserves , wet lands and you wonder if we have an authority in Kampala , “Rhita Musoke said .
The people of Kampala also want security of persons and property noting that there is increased insecurity in the city .
“Goons have taken over downtown . Some of them are even known to police and the authorities but nothing is done to apprehend them . ” Kampala must be a secure city where people carry on with their businesses and work without fear of being mugged and their property stolen by the rampaging Kanyamas and other outlaws in and around the city ,”Lucy Akello stated.
Road side vending should not be allowed anywhere in Kampala . ” You find vendors cooking food by the roadside , on walkways meant for pedestrians. These habits must be stopped . But you need day- to-day supervision and enforcement . I’m not sure our new managers have what it takes to say enough is enough ,” Goerge Kajabagu mused .
Many residents didnt forget the potholes and gullies in the city . They refered to the recent ” potholes exhibition on social media and urged the new top honchos to redeem the image of Kampala that is deemed the “potholes city” of the world .
For Lillian Nalukenge it was the lack of traffic lights issue and those which work for a few minutes and are off for the rest of the day that bothers her . She also pointed out the old matatus which cause accidents and pollute the city while the traffic policemen turn a blind eye or pocket ‘kintu kidogo.’ ” Traffic police officers are very funny people. They will issue penalty receipt to vehicle with a small crack on the windscreen but then allow a taxi with thick smoke , without breaking lights and side mirrors to stay on the road . Why are DMCs allowed on city roads?, ” she wondered .
These and many more challenges await Buzeki and Kigenyi as their work is cut out already .
