KCCA, BUGANDA KINGDOM STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP ON KAMPALA DEVELOPMENT

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Buganda Kingdom to advance the development of Kampala, with the authority’s political and technical leadership visiting the Kingdom headquarters at Bulange, Mengo.

The delegation, led by Lord Mayor Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo and KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, on Wednesday, met Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga to strengthen cooperation between the city authority and the Kingdom. Balimwezo was accompanied by his wife, Rachel Balimwezo.

The delegation also included elected leaders; the Deputy Lord Mayor, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Division Mayors, City Executive Committee (CEC) members, Councilors and KCCA Directors.

The visit also marked the Lord Mayor’s courtesy call to the Katikkiro following his election. 

Mayiga congratulated the elected leaders and said the Kingdom and KCCA must work together to improve services and infrastructure in Kampala.

He commended KCCA for ongoing road construction and the development of markets, noting that infrastructure projects may sometimes inconvenience residents but are important for the city’s long-term development.

“Thank you for constructing roads. It affects us, but we appreciate,” Mayiga said.

He also welcomed the construction of markets, saying organized trading spaces provide better working conditions for vendors and make it easier for residents to access services.

Mayiga urged KCCA to continue organizing street trading and called for public transport reforms to be fast-tracked.

“Be firm on that,” he said, referring to efforts to improve public transport in the city.

On cleanliness, Mayiga pledged the Kingdom’s support for community-led cleaning campaigns, including the National Cleaning Days.

He encouraged residents to separate waste at source using different bins for organic waste, inorganic waste and plastics.

“We are ready to support you,” he said.

Mayiga said cooperation between political leaders and technical officers was essential to the development of Kampala.

He said residents are interested in quality services and well-managed amenities, including roads and street lighting, and that these can be achieved when political and technical leaders work together.

Balimwezo thanked the Kabaka for allowing people to participate in the recent elections and congratulated the Kingdom for its continued role in the affairs of Kampala.

He said Kampala’s position as Uganda’s economic hub makes its development a national priority and requires close cooperation with Buganda.

“Kampala is the heart of Uganda and Buganda. We cannot build the Kampala we want without coming here to seek knowledge on how best to build the city,” Balimwezo said.

He described Buganda as Kampala’s biggest landlord and said the Kingdom must be involved in decisions affecting the city.

“You cannot transform Kampala without involving Buganda Kingdom,” he said.

Balimwezo called for the establishment of a KCCA-Buganda working group to strengthen coordination and ensure that development priorities are jointly addressed.

KCCA ED, Buzeki said the visit was part of KCCA’s commitment to building a strong working relationship with the Buganda Kingdom.

“Whatever we do, we do it on the land of Buganda. Whatever we do, we have to move with the Kingdom and work with it to succeed on our reforms,” Buzeki said.

She said KCCA cannot effectively transform Kampala without engaging the Kingdom and securing its support for key programmes.

“We cannot sit at City Hall and not come here. Whatever we do must have a buy-in here first,” she said.

Buzeki pointed to existing areas of cooperation, including the implementation of the Trade Order, saying the Kingdom’s support and encouragement helped KCCA advance efforts to restore order in the city.

She also highlighted the development of markets such as Ggaba, Usafi and Kamwokya, saying the facilities have improved working conditions for traders.

Buzeki said the Kingdom has also supported KCCA’s road development programme by providing right of way for infrastructure projects that touch Ug.

She thanked Buganda for its continued participation in Bulungi Bwansi, which she said has contributed to efforts to improve cleanliness in Kampala.

“We call upon you to keep supporting us, especially on the National Cleaning Days,” she said.

The meeting reinforced the importance of cooperation between KCCA and Buganda in addressing Kampala’s infrastructure, transport, trade, waste management and cleanliness challenges.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer