Workers put final touches on the refurbished Queens Way in Kampala on January 8, 2024. PHOTO/ ISAAC KASAMANI
The NAM/China summits pomp
Like it is in the African tradition, where families tend to thoroughly clean up their homesteads when they expect visitors, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), that was part of the organising committee, worked tirelessly to ensure that the road infrastructure in Makindye and part of Central Division were refurbished to make them motorable.
Infrastructure refurbishment
A total of 15 km of city roads, drainages, walkways, street lighting and greening of the city were worked upon, to enhance the city’s appearance. Some of the roads covered included Tank Hill, Cape, Mukwano, Prince Badru Kakungulu, Mobuto, Salaama, Press House roads and Bunga-Soya culverts crossing, among others . Landlords along the major roads were also tasked to refurbish their buildings and pave their frontages. The NAM summit attracted participants from 90 nations and 30 heads of state and was officially opened by Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odong and later graced by President Museveni. The President advised that the strength of NAM should be used to exercise considerable influence, particularly, among United Nations member states for effective transformative process for a better common future.
Phasing out city roundabouts
KCCA also embarked on phasing out the major city roundabouts and installing traffic signal at 27 road junctions in Kampala to address the chronic traffic jam in and around Kampala. The roundabouts include Kubiri, Mulago, Mulago Mortuary, Rwenzori Courts and Grand Imperial roundabout onto which the monument of King Edward Mutesa II stood firm. Mr Daniel Nuweabine, the head of public and corporate Affairs at KCCA, said the decision to find a new site for the monument in question was reached after holding consultations with Buganda Kingdom. He said the monument was moved to pave way for road construction works. “We had a good chat with Buganda Kingdom officials and we came to a consensus that we take it to a triangular space next to Serena Hotel and Imperial Royale Hotel. The contractor has already been identified to do the work,” he told this publication in August 2024.
Sir Edward Mutesa II was the 35th king of Buganda Kingdom and the father to the current king (kabaka) of Uganda’s biggest monarchy, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. He served as the King of Buganda from 1939 to November 19, 1969. The new developments in the city were part of KCCA’s smart city agenda, hinged on technology advancement to ease service delivery, infrastructure developments to accelerate economic growth and promoting people’s wellbeing through improved livelihoods.
Museveni sacks KCCA leadership following the Kiteezi tragedy
The Kampala Smart City Agenda that had popularised KCCA’s activities was in August 2024, overshadowed by the tragic event that occurred at Kiteezi landfill, in Wakiso District, where a heap of garbage collapsed and buried several residents. Police reports indicated that 35 people lost their lives and scores were displaced. As the search for bodies that were still trapped in garbage continued, President Museveni directed the Office of the Inspectorate of Government to launch an investigation into the matter, and provide a report on the disaster.
Upon the release of the report by IGG, that indicated that there was some negligence on the side of the authority, Museveni on September 24, sacked the then Executive Director KCCA, Ms Dorothy Kisaka, her deputy David Luyimbazi and the authority’s public health director Daniel Okello. The trio was arrested and imprisoned and later released on bail. However, the Kampala Lord Mayor, Mr Erias Lukwago, demanded that the Kiteezi report be made public, a request that was declined by officials from IGG’s office who argued that the report was meant for the President. Mr Luyimbazi admitted that his office and that of the executive director were notified about the looming Kiteezi landfill disaster, but no action was taken due to shortage of funds.
A July 2, 2024 letter by KCCA’s director for public health professionals addressed to the authority’s top management warned that the mountain of garbage at the Kiteezi landfill could collapse and kill people. When President Museveni sacked the trio, he tasked the Minister of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Ms Minsa Kabanda, to appoint new KCCA leaders. KCCA’s director of legal affairs, Mr Frank Nyaakana, was appointed as the acting executive director of the authority. She also appointed Mr Robert Nowera to deputise Mr Nyaakana and Dr Sarah Zalwango as acting director of Public Health. A few days to the end of the year, President Museveni appointed Ms Sharifah Buzeki as the new executive director of KCCA. Ms Buzeki is the third woman to hold the office. The first KCCA Executive Director was Jennifer Musisi, who was succeeded by Ms Kisaka. The President also appointed Mr Benon Kigenyi as the new KCCA deputy executive director.
Lubigi wetland evictions
Another event that made headlines in both local and international media was the forced eviction mounted by National Environment Management Authority (Nema) in Lubigi wetland. Thousands of residents were displaced and property destroyed. Both commercial and residual buildings including schools were demolished. Authorities in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District reported that about 1,600 learners were affected by the evictions. Dr Barirega Akankwasa, the Nema’s executive director, reported that about 214 houses were demolished. The action followed a presidential directive that people who encroach on wetlands be removed from them to minimise the effects of climate change on the country.
Fuel tanker explodes, kills 11
As people were coming to terms with the Kitezi disaster, another tragedy struck in Kigogwa Town, Matuga, on Kampala-Bombo road in Wakiso District, when a fuel truck lost control and exploded into flames, killing 11 people, including two children.
BRIGHTER SIDE
New project
On a good note, KCCA unveiled a multi- trillion Integrated Urban Development Masterplan for Greater Kampala Metropolitan. According to KCCA, a 25-year Master Plan (2025 to 2050) stipulated urban centres, industrial growth corridors residential areas, arterial road. It aims at proper physical planning for the city. According to the project consultants, government will need about Shs92 trillion to implement the ambitious plan. The government also launched a Shs2 trillion project to improve infrastructure in Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area ( Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono) such as roads, markets, schools, among others.
