The recent appointments of Sharifah Buzeki as the executive director and Benon Kigenyi as deputy executive director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) signal a shift in the city’s leadership.
However, mere changes at the top will not suffice to address the entrenched issues plaguing our capital. The sacking and subsequent arrest of Dorothy Kisaka and David Luyimbazi for negligence after the tragic incident at the Kiteezi garbage collection center serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need for accountability and effective governance in Kampala.
Kampala’s problems extend far beyond rubbish management and poorly maintained roads; they encapsulate a systemic failure that has allowed corruption, inefficiency and neglect to fester.
The new leaders must devise a comprehensive strategy to liberate our city from the shackles of mismanagement. It is not enough to rotate officeholders; we require a radical overhaul of how our city is governed. Kampala must be treated as a vital institution, not a playground for political maneuvering.
The current state of disorganization is evident in the stagnation of our economy. Revenue collection remains severely hampered by informality, while essential services such as healthcare languish due to lack of accountability.
A city cannot thrive on chaos; it needs a structured approach where the plans of politicians and civil servants align harmoniously to serve the citizens. Without this, our capital will continue to suffer.
To genuinely uplift Kampala, the new leaders must set high standards for themselves. Their loyalty should not lie with President Yoweri Museveni alone; they are answerable to the millions of Ugandans who inhabit and work in this city. A coordinated and safe environment is essential for businesses to flourish and for citizens to feel secure in their homes. It is time for a leadership that prioritizes the well-being of its people over political expediency.
We call upon Buzeki and Kigenyi to embrace their roles with a clear vision and unwavering commitment. They must tackle the roots of corruption and inefficiency head-on and foster a culture of accountability within KCCA.
The days of shuffling leaders without real change must come to an end. Kampala deserves better—a city that reflects the aspirations of its people and serves as a model of good governance.
The change in leadership at KCCA presents an opportunity for a new beginning, but it must be seized with determination and integrity. We need to see actionable plans that address the multifaceted challenges facing Kampala.
The time for mere rhetoric is over; what we need now is action, and we expect nothing less from our new leaders. Kampala’s future hangs in the balance, and it is up to them to ensure that our city becomes a beacon of progress and accountability.