Kisaka's first 100 days at the city's helm

KCCA|KISAKA|SERVICE

KAMPALA - The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director (ED), Dorothy Kisaka has called for increased government funding to the city for better service delivery.

Kisaka made the call on Wednesday (November 18, 2020), during a press conference to give an account of her first 100 days since she took over office as KCCA ED.

Today marks exactly 111 days since Kisaka walked into City Hall as the Executive Director of KCCA.

She took oath on July 30, in a colorful ceremony presided over by the Head of Public service John Mitala, and attended by the Minister of Kampala, Betty Amongin, and the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago.

"We will lead from the front and lead by example," Kisaka said in her inaugural address.

Kisaka was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni together with her deputy Eng David Luyimbazi and Grace Akullo, the Director Administration and Human Resource. 

Three months in office Kisaka says, the government needs to increase funding to the authority for smooth running of the city.

According to Kisaka, at least 60% of Uganda's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from Kampala city but less than 2% of the national budget is given back to the city.

"We need at least 10% of the revenue to remain in the city center if we are to make meaningful development," Kisaka said.

This financial year 2020/21 government allocated sh406b to the city, out of the sh45 trillion national budget. In  2019/2020 budget, government allocated Shs520b to KCCA.

It should also be noted that 72% of the revenue collected by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is generated by Kampala.

Insufficient funding has been a big challenge to service delivery with many projects planned by the city management but not implemented.

Some of the challenges that city needs to address include, lighting the city, getting vendors off the street, littering, incomplete roads, open manholes, delayed building permits, illegal structures, very few toilets, traffic congestion.

As she marked 100 days, Kisaka asked Ugandans to love the city and work towards making it safe for everyone.

"This is our city; this is our home. Let us work hard to give it the character we desire. Together we can make it clean, together we can overcome the bad vices like illegal construction, littering, noise pollution," Kisaka said.

Kisaka's achievements so far

On August 3, Kisaka hit the ground running despite limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To date, she has finalised and launched a five-year strategic plan, accomplished a staff verification exercise, and launched the Kampala Weyonje campaign.

The ambitious five-year strategic plan worth $1.9 trillion is expected to transform Kampala into a vibrant, attractive, and sustainable city. It highlights four key pillars; Citizen engagement, quality of life, City resilience, and economic growth.

Kisaka also unveiled the elegant Impala monument, in her first 100 days. The impala symbolises the origin of the name Kampala and the sculpture is located just next to KCCA premises.

Working in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority, Kisaka unveiled Wildlife street in October which is along the Old Kira road.

During her first week in office, President Museveni launched the construction of Lubigi and Nakamiro channels to deal with heavy floods in Bwaise.

This is projected to be finalised in twelve months. The poor drainage system in downtown Kampala has been a source of constant irritation.

Under her watch, the Old taxi park is to be delivered soon and shall be elevated to international standards.

Weyonje campaign

Kisaka is visibly pleased with the #KampalaWeyonje campaigns which she launched in her first 100 days.

Under this campaign, residents are encouraged to engage in a cleaning campaign every last Saturday of the month. 

The leaders in the five divisions are in a competition to see who has mobilised their teams best for this campaign. The next general cleaning day is November 28, 2020. 

"Maintaining a clean city can't be left to individuals or to KCCA staff alone, everyone has to be involved," Kisaka says.

Working with the political wing

Many city dwellers were worried as to how she would manage to work with the political wing at KCCA. Kisaka chose to build bridges and work with the political side intentionally. 

‘We are bigger than the differences that divide us, we can resolve them, is Kisaka's mantra. She had to quickly negotiate the various power centers at City Hall.

She intentionally interacts with the Lord Mayor's cabinet on a weekly basis. Her consultative meetings with the Minister of Kampala are very regular. 

As a lawyer, and governance expert Kisaka is no stranger to tension filled situations but she is a firm believer in talking through the differences.

Her 100-day plan dedicated hours to meeting key stakeholders' holders in central government, business, faith leaders, politicians, and many others.

Kisaka's philosophy is that citizen engagement is the bedrock for efficient systems.

"The city belongs to all of us and we can all contribute to running the city," Kisaka says.

The KCCA Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura describes Kisaka's 100 days as a success and believes she is the right person for the job.

"She has worked beyond my expectations. She respects and listens to the political wing and has for now followed the KCCA Act to the letter," Nyanjura says.

She says Kisaka has enormous potential to perform her role as KCCA ED and lead the transformation of the city.

"She is focused on her work rather than media attention. I must say she is the right person for the job and we hope she continues working the way she is doing," Nyanjura says.

The deputy Lord Mayor explains that the political wing is supportive of her work for the good of Kampala.

Street vendors

The business group headed by Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) team are not seating easily with crowded streets and demand that vendors get off the streets.

Everest Kayondo chairman KACITA says; "We will work with Kisaka but let her make it clear that street vendors must get off the streets. We are glad the new ED is engaging us on a joint way forward.'"

Harriet Birungi a vendor operating along Jinja road notes that Kisaka's approach of understanding the local person is a key achievement. She understands 'omuntu wabulijjo'

"We thought she would come and forcefully chase everyone away, but she is handling us in a humane way," Birungi says.

Presidential Directives 

Implementing the Presidential directives regarding Centenary Park was a litmus test for Kisaka. But she used her two-pronged approach, stick to the law, and be humane with the people.

With her approach, Nalongo Estates made way for the Jinja Expressway project.

The Market vendors are anxious to see how Kisaka handles the presidential directive on markets. But Kisaka says there is no need to panic because it will be fully implemented. 

"The markets belong to ordinary vendors. They should be left to do business without high fees, as the president has guided. This will address the perennial problem of street vending. The interim leadership will be put in charge and elections will happen later," Kisaka says.

However, Francis Mwesigwa, the chairperson of Nakawa Market Vendors Association says 

"There is no clear direction about the leadership and management of the markets. Some are being taken over by KCCA which we are against since we invested in our money."

He says KCCA leaders need to sit with market leaders and forge a way forward on how best to manage the markets to increase revenue collection.

Not all is smooth

Kisaka is faced with numerous challenges; lighting the city, getting vendors off the street, littering, incomplete roads, noise pollution, open manholes, delayed building permits, illegal structures, very few toilets, traffic congestion, and Moreover it is a political season 

Susan Mutoni, from Mutungo, says Kisaka needs to address the issue of security lights and toilets which are few in the city.

"Streets need to be made safe for city dwellers especially women. We need streetlights. Our city lacks enough sanitation facilities which I think need to be increased," Mutoni says.

Kisaka is resolute. She believes her team is very capable of delivering. 'We will keep working hard and we welcome feedback' 

Her leadership is led by a method of work known as the Big Seven which she constantly shares with the staff.

The Big Seven are; lead from the front, build bridges for peace, fast track service delivery, use a participatory approach, uphold good values, serve the diversity, and be a good steward.