President Museveni dismisses KCCA ED, Deputy ED, and Director of Public Health

25 September 2024, 10:58 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

On August 10, 2024, the Kiteezi Landfill Disaster occurred claiming lives of 35 people, according to the police. Several others sustained injuries, and many were left homeless. Following the tragedy, the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Patricia Achan, was tasked by the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni to thoroughly investigate the matter. After completing her investigation, the Deputy IGG compiled a report, which she submitted to the President.

In response to the letter, the President took decisive action. In a letter released by State House yesterday, the President dismissed three Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials.

“In a decisive response to the findings of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Report concerning the Kiteezi Landfill disaster, H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda has exercised his constitutional authority under article 172(1) (a) of the 1995 Constitution to dismiss several key officials of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in the public interest due to significant evidence of criminal negligence” the letter partly reads.

According to Article 172 (1) (a) of 1995 constitution and subject to the provisions of this constitution- (a) the president may act in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission, the Education Service Commission or the Health Service Commission, as the case may be, appoint persons to hold or act in any office in the public service of Uganda of the rank of head of department or above other than those referred to in article 200 of this Constitution including confirmation of appointments, the exercise of disciplinary control over such persons and their removal from office.

The letter goes on to state that “The President has dismissed the following key officials; Mrs. Dorothy Kisaka, the executive director, Engineer David Luyimbazi, the deputy executive director and Dr. Okello Daniel, the director of public health.” it states. The IGG’s report according to the letter, clearly outlined the severe oversight and negligence exhibited by these officials. In light of these findings, the president called upon the criminal investigations department (CID) and other crime management agencies to thoroughly investigative the matter further.

The letter further reads “Focusing on the angle of criminal negligence associated with this distressing event to ensure a swift transition in leadership, the president has directed the public service commission to advertise the positions of executive director, deputy executive director and director of public health, with a goal of appointing new officials within three months. Additionally, the minister for Kampala Hajjat Minsa Kabanda is tasked for advising the president on interim appointments for the crucial positions to ensure that operations within KCCA continue without disruptions until permanent replacements are in place. The president remains committed to upholding accountability and maintaining the highest standards of governance for the benefit of all citizens” the letter ended.

It should be remembered that on 15, April 2011, Mrs. Jennifer Musisi took office as the first ED for KCCA, and her contract was renewed on 27, February ,2014 and then re-renewed in 2017 because of her hard work. She however, tendered her resignation as KCCA executive director on 15, October 2018. Which was effective in December 2018. The President decided to appoint Mrs Dorothy Kisaka on 12, Jun, 2020 as executive director and engineer David Luyimbazi was also appointed as deputy executive director and took over office on 30, July ,2020.

Following the dismissal of the three, Grace Akullo will be acting as the ED until when the appointing authority decides to announce the successful persons to fill up the three positions. The role of the ED is to provide strategic leadership and monitoring work, among other responsibilities.