Lord Mayor, Councillors Swear Today

Emmanuel Mulondo

20 May 2011

Kampala City Council Authority will today get a new administration, under the 2009 Kampala Capital City Act.

Under the 2007 Local Government’s Act, the mayor and his council were the executive authority with the chief technocrat (town clerk) answering to them.

But under the new law, the chief technocrat (executive director) is the key office bearer in the city.

A 2005 constitutional amendment upgraded Kampala from a district to a capital, with a minister to oversee its administration.

Cleaning city

Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and his councillors today take their oaths to begin the uphill task of overturning Kampala from the filth it is to a city befitting the Pearl of Africa.

The Lord Mayor, councillors and some appointed officials will form the Kampala City Authority to replace the Kampala City Council.

In the past, the city was mired in disputes between the NRM and the opposition, with both sides accusing each other of failing the city.

Today, as we wait for the President’s new Cabinet, the only person whose appointment is certain is Minister for Kampala Beatrice Wabudeya.

Ms Wabudeya last month installed the newly-appointed city executive director Justice Musisi Ssemakula, who wields more administrative authority.

Challenges ahead

Political observers say an NRM-dominated council and an opposition Lord Mayor, will define the city’s awakening.

Mr Lukwago yesterday said the political differences will be overcome.

“It is true it poses a challenge but a surmountable one. The Constitution says power belongs to the people and 65 per cent of the voters in Kampala voted me. So I am the President of Kampala,” he said yesterday.

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