Mixed reactions as Kisaka, Luyimbazi, Okello hand over to new KCCA leaders

28 September 2024, 11:46 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Following the recent dismissal of three top leaders of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) by President Yoweri Museveni, the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, along with others, oversaw the handover of office yesterday.

Former KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka handed over to Frank Rusa, who was the Director of Legal Affairs at KCCA. Eng. David Luyimbazi Ssali handed over to Robert Nowere, Director of Revenue Collection, and Dr Daniel Okello handed over to Dr Sarah Zalwango, Acting Deputy Director of Medical Services. This took place at the KCCA headquarters in Kampala.

It is important to note that the constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995, under Article 172 (1)(a), allows the President to act in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission or other relevant commissions to appoint individuals to hold or act in any public service office of the rank of Head of Department or above.

This includes the exercise of disciplinary control and removal from office. The President has appointed the above individuals to act as interim leaders for three months.

Speaking to the media after the handover, which was restricted to journalists, the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, expressed gratitude to the outgoing leaders for their service and confirmed that the Kiteezi landfill issue was the main reason for their dismissal.

She promised meetings with all KCCA directors to address challenges and assured the interim leaders of the ministry’s support, though reminding them their roles are temporary for three months. Kabanda also mentioned that applications from investors willing to add value to Kiteezi garbage had been received.

The Minister urged those interested in permanently filling these positions to apply through the Public Service Commission, clarifying that her office does not handle recruitment.

Hajji Yunus Kakande, Secretary in the Office of the President and a witness to the handover, expressed confidence in the appointees, noting their experience in the system. However, he warned that failure to meet expectations would result in their dismissal. He wished them well in their new roles.

Among the interim leadership’s tasks is ensuring that KCCA street cleaners and other workers are paid their overdue wages. Speaking after his appointment, the Interim Executive Director promised to address the street cleaners’ concerns, who had welcomed the dismissal of the former leaders.

The previous leaders of KCCA include Mrs Jennifer Musisi, who took office as the first Executive Director on 15 April 2011. Her contract was renewed in February 2014 and again in 2017 due to her hard work, but she resigned on 15 October 2018, with her resignation taking effect in December 2018.

President Museveni then appointed Dorothy Kisaka as Executive Director and Eng. David Luyimbazi as Deputy Executive Director on 12 June 2020, with both taking office on 30 July 2020.