Urban councilor back Kamya on KCCA Act amendment

Jul 05, 2017

In a meeting held in the Office of the President, the councilors said that they are backing Kamya on some sections in the amendment bill, which they feel should be amended.

Urban councilors under the Urban councilors Forum, have backed Kampala minister, Beti Kamya, on the amendment of the Kampala Capital City Authority Act.

In a meeting held in the Office of the President, the councilors said that they are backing Kamya on some sections in the amendment Bill.

The urban councilors are in support of section 79 1(a) gives the Kampala Minister political powers. The law states that for purposes of the Act, the minister shall be the political head of the capital city and may with the approval of cabinet assume the executive and legislative power of the authority.

They believe that the proposal is in accordance with Article 5(4) of the constitution.

 "The article stipulates that Kampala will be administered by the central government, the bill clarifies on the roles of various offices established under the Act in order to do away with stepping on each other's toes," Kamya explained.

The 180 councilors however want the power to remain the hands of the people where they can elect their Lord Mayor, and the urban mayors .

 "We do not support some sections in the Amendment of the Bill especially section 28 states that the Lord Mayor and urban mayors be elected by his councilors," the chairperson of the Forum Leonard Kayinza, urban councilor Kawempe division said.

Simon Balogo councilor Naggulu Nakawa Division, said that the devolution of powers which give the urban councilors power to manage issues at the lower council.

Kassim Ssagalabayomba council Kyanja parish, Nakawa says that where the law has gone astray it should be amended.

The councilors from the four Urban councils of Nakawa, Makindye, Lubaga, Central and Kawempe also believe that law is intended to separate roles of the minister, the executive director and the Lord Mayor.

Kamya explained to the councilors that the law is intended to separate roles citing section 7 of the KCCA Act 2010, which give the Lord Mayor, the executive director and the Kampala minister the same roles and functions .

 According to section7 sub section (4) The Ministry responsible for the administration of the Capital City shall supervise, guide, inspect, monitor and coordinate the governance activities of the Capital City in order to ensure compliance with this Act and any other law.

She says that role of the Lord Mayor is to provide an over sight role, monitor the day to day activities of the city and his role is to demand for accountability from the executive director.

Other issues which the councilors raised were the issue of their allowances which were small. They also added that their travel opportunities have been sabotaged by the office of the Lord Mayor they need to go down to their electorate to sensitize the communities on government programmes.

The 2015 amendment Bill has caused controversy among scores of political leaders in the city including members of Parliament representing the people of Kampala, the division councilors and their mayors.

 The councilors also complained to Kamya over the garbage collecting companies which exploit residents, the mishandling of vendors by the enforcement and the property rates which KCCA revenue department has reemphasized.

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