KCCA plan to boost development, improve service delivery

With the increasing demand for services in the city, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has launched a new strategic plan aimed at promoting inclusive growth and improved quality service delivery.

The $1.9b (about sh7 trillion) five-year plan is to run from 2020/21 to 2024/25 funded by the Government with support from UK Aid and Cities and Infrastructure for Growth (CIG) Uganda.

The plan under the theme, Balanced Growth, Resource Efficiency and Improved Quality of Life, focuses on creating an enabling environment for economic growth, job creation, promoting tourism, poverty alleviation, improved waste management and provision of quality services among others.

The plan was the result of stakeholders' consultations among city residents and experts, through newspapers and social media in the past eight months.

While launching the plan in the Mayor's Gardens on Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda noted that it is aligned with Uganda Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan III among others that are aimed at transforming Ugandan society from a low-income to a competitive middle-income economy.

He stressed that whereas clear objectives and strategic programmes have been laid out, it will require the resolve of the city's political leadership, KCCA management and staff, city residents and all stakeholders to embrace the strategy.

KCCA projects that by June 2025, Kampala will be a well-planned city that provides economic opportunities.

The Prime Minister said the Government was committed to ensuring the realisation of the plan, stressing that Kampala is not just a national capital, but an economic centre, which plays a key role in the overall development and implementation of different government programmes.

He said even with KCCA's notable achievements over the last eight years, there is a need to recognise the magnitude of the task ahead in addressing the city challenges and demands of the residents.

Rugunda thanked the diverse development partners, who have invested resources in various development programmes towards the realisation of the past achievements.

The authority plans to construct five markets in the five divisions, install more streetlights, fix drainage in Nalukolongo and Nakamiro, upgrade Nakivubo as well as construct a recycling plant in the next five years.

KCCA's executive director, Dorothy Kisaka, said the five-year strategic plan will run alongside others, like the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Transport Master Plan, (2018), the Kampala Drainage Master Plan, (2016), the Kampala Sanitation Improvement and Financing Strategy, (2020/30).

She noted that Kampala's residents shall benefit through different programmes within their respective divisions.

The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Betty Amongi, said: "Kampala accounts for 60% of the revenue generated and it is estimated that 40% of Ugandans will be living in cities. That is why our plans must put people first through different policies to ensure a good working environment if we are to raise more revenue, improve lives, reduce pollution, create employment opportunities and construct efficient roads to ease mobility."

More workspaces

Deputy Lord Mayor, Doreen Nyanjura said there was still need to construct more markets in order to create more workspaces.

She said other issues which need urgent attention include the implementation of the Kampala drainage master plan to deal with the rampant flooding and construction of the recycling plant at Dundu to help in the efficient managing of garbage. 

The deputy lord mayor said the same projects were highlighted in the first strategic plan but were not implemented.