Museveni appoints KCCA chief, deputy

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President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Hajat Sharifah Buzeki, Kampala Capital City Authority executive director.

Buzeki, who has been local government ministry human resource management commissioner, will be deputized by Benon Kigenyi.

Both names have been forwarded to the public service ministry for formalisation, according to special presidential assistant in charge of press, Farouk Kirunda, who is also deputy State House spokesperson.

“When the process is completed, the head of public service/Secretary to Cabinet will formally confirm the appointments. Congratulations to Buzeki and Kigenyi for catching the eye of the appointing authority,” Kirunda added in a statement.

“It is God’s calling. It is a mix of excitement and thinking about the task ahead and having the feeling of what I should do to meet the trust people have in me,” Buzeki said when contacted on Thursday morning, December 26, 2024.

“I just have to calm down to think. I presented my bid and the appointing authority saw it fit to appoint me, I am grateful,” she said.

Earlier on, Buzeki, formerly a commissioner of human resource management in the ministry of public service had hesitated to comment saying she had not yet confirmed the appointment.

Buzeki replaces Dorothy Kisaka who in September this year handed over the office to Frank Rusa who has been serving in an acting capacity.

Kisaka, her deputy Eng. David Luyimbazi and Daniel Okello, former director of public health, were later arrested and produced in court on charges of manslaughter and negligent acts following the Kitezi tragedy in Wakiso district where in August this year, over 35 people died and homes were destroyed when the garbage dumpsite collapsed on them. Court, presided over by the Kasangati Chief Magistrate, Beatrice Khainza, remanded the trio to Luzira prisons but later granted bail.  

Buzeki holds a master's degree in public administration and management, a post-graduate diploma in human management and a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).

Kigenyi, who has been undersecretary in the Ministry of East African Community where he joined in February this year, is described by colleagues as an experienced civil servant who has served in several ministries at senior level. Before moving, he was serving as Undersecretary in charge of finance and administration at the Ministry of Local Government. He also served in the Ministry of Public Service, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and as secretary Uganda Land Commission in 2,000 and has served as Undersecretary for now 10 years.

Kigenyi who was the master of ceremonies at the wedding of the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV and Jovia Mutesi in November 2023 said: “This is a great opportunity and is a mixed bag. The opportunity to serve is something I have looked forward to do. This opportunity has fully been given to us by the President for the transformation of KCCA”.

Kigenyi said the transformation of KCCA should be intentional, giving people the belief that Kampala city can be a great city and that ‘transformation’ is a job that all we can do.

“Kampala Yaffe fenna (the city is ours all), people in the ghetto, and the suburbs should think of a good Kampala together intentionally”.