Kampala urgently needs a minister
Jul 23, 2011
KAMPALA Capital City Authority (KCCA) was created to improve services. Ugandans look forward to a cleaner and better looking city, smoother and faster flow of services, convenient utilities, zero tolerance to corruption and better opportunities.
KAMPALA Capital City Authority (KCCA) was created to improve services. Ugandans look forward to a cleaner and better looking city, smoother and faster flow of services, convenient utilities, zero tolerance to corruption and better opportunities.
But right from its infancy, the authority is facing contradictions, disagreements, power struggles and slow progress. Division mayors, executive director and the Lord Mayor are clashing over funds and operations. Many say that the main problem is the differences in the interpretation of the KCCA Act. Some stakeholders are already demanding that Parliament revisits the law and amends it to streamline the notable sources of conflict.
But that would be a hurried action. Part of the problem is that the KCCA Act is not yet fully implemented. Without a minister in charge of Kampala, many operations and activities enshrined in the KCCA Act remain on a standstill.
For example, KCCA bodies like the Metropolitan Physical Planning Authority and Public Accounts Committee are supposed to be appointed by the Kampala minister, who also signs off salaries and allowances. These are bound to cripple the authority and cause conflict.
Government should appoint the minister in charge of Kampala as soon as possible. Leaders in KCCA should agree to focus on service delivery and put aside personal egos. After decades of grappling with a shaming city, Ugandans deserve a solution sooner rather than later.
But right from its infancy, the authority is facing contradictions, disagreements, power struggles and slow progress. Division mayors, executive director and the Lord Mayor are clashing over funds and operations. Many say that the main problem is the differences in the interpretation of the KCCA Act. Some stakeholders are already demanding that Parliament revisits the law and amends it to streamline the notable sources of conflict.
But that would be a hurried action. Part of the problem is that the KCCA Act is not yet fully implemented. Without a minister in charge of Kampala, many operations and activities enshrined in the KCCA Act remain on a standstill.
For example, KCCA bodies like the Metropolitan Physical Planning Authority and Public Accounts Committee are supposed to be appointed by the Kampala minister, who also signs off salaries and allowances. These are bound to cripple the authority and cause conflict.
Government should appoint the minister in charge of Kampala as soon as possible. Leaders in KCCA should agree to focus on service delivery and put aside personal egos. After decades of grappling with a shaming city, Ugandans deserve a solution sooner rather than later.