KCCA DISTRIBUTES GUMBOOTS TO VHTS AS CIVIC EMPOWERMENT DRIVE REACHES MAKINDYE

At least 400 Village Health Team members in Makindye Division went home with new pairs of gumboots on Thursday as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) strengthened support for frontline community health workers under its citywide civic competence and community empowerment campaign.

The distribution took place during an engagement at Nsambya Sharing Hall that brought together more than 1,275 VHTs and 23 Local Council II chairpersons from across Makindye Division.

The meeting was led by KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki and attended by senior government officials, underscoring the authority’s push to strengthen grassroots leadership and service delivery.

Addressing participants, Buzeki described VHTs as “unsung heroes” and thanked them for their patriotism and service to communities.

“KCCA and government are mandated to keep citizens informed about our strategic plan and whatever we do,” she said. “Where KCCA cannot reach every household, you are the people who reach the last person. If we do not involve you, that would be a serious mistake.”

VHTs are volunteer groups of trusted community members selected by their neighbors to serve as the first link between households and the formal health care system. They provide health education, promote hygiene and preventive practices, identify health risks and refer residents to health facilities, playing a critical role in improving health outcomes at the community level.

Buzeki said VHTs play a critical role in reporting service delivery gaps and helping the authority respond to challenges at the community level.

“You are the people to tell us what is not going well,” Buzeki said. “When we work through existing government structures, we can address the city’s challenges as one team.”

Buzeki also urged VHTs to sensitize communities to celebrate responsibly during the festive season and said KCCA plans to assign them additional responsibilities, noting that parish-level structures have limited reach.

The executive director said KCCA will continue to support VHTs, promising to provide more protective gear beyond the 400 pairs of gumboots distributed.

Senior Presidential Private Secretary Miriam Namayanja commended KCCA for taking services closer to communities.

“VHTs have done a great job in disease prevention, hygiene and sanitation, working closely with KCCA,” Namayanja said. “Your sacrifice and patriotism, even without remuneration, is appreciated.”

Makindye Division VHT Coordinator Sserwada Wilkinson said the support will strengthen community health efforts.

“These teams have played a key role in preventing disease and educating communities,” he said.

LC II Chairperson for Wabigalo Parish, Elaijah Owubisingye, thanked fellow local leaders for their commitment, saying, “Patriotism at the grassroots is what makes service delivery work.”

During the engagement, KCCA officials also presented the Service Delivery Standards and Client Charter, which outline residents’ service entitlements, access procedures and complaint mechanisms. Officials further introduced the authority’s Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30, detailing priorities for infrastructure development, urban planning, inclusivity and resilience.

The Makindye meeting followed similar engagements held earlier in Central, Kawempe and Nakawa divisions, beginning Tuesday at Bat Valley Primary School. KCCA said the final engagement will be held Friday in Rubaga Division.

The outreach is intended to help communities understand their rights, track service delivery and engage directly with the authority, ensuring accountability and service delivery extend beyond city offices to the grassroots.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer