New KCCA Boss Buzeki Vows to Tackle Corruption and Waste Management Crisis

Hajjat Sharifa Buzeki, the newly appointed Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), has issued a stern warning to KCCA staff, pledging zero tolerance for corruption and laziness as she takes on her new role.

Buzeki officially took over the political administration of City Hall on Wednesday, succeeding Frank Rusa, who had been serving as acting Executive Director following the dismissal of Dorothy Kisaka in September.

In her inaugural speech, Buzeki outlined her vision for the transformation of Kampala, vowing to tackle the city’s long-standing waste management crisis, a critical issue affecting residents and the environment.

“I am committed to the development of this city, and that starts with ensuring that we address the waste management challenges. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the citizens of Kampala live in a clean and sustainable environment,” Buzeki said. “We must adopt innovative solutions and explore new models that will ease the pressure on our landfills.”

One of Buzeki’s key promises is to fast-track the acquisition of land for a state-of-the-art waste processing facility. She emphasized that this new facility would be crucial in managing the increasing waste generated by the city, which has long struggled with effective waste disposal systems.

Meanwhile, the outgoing acting Executive Director, Frank Rusa, who served in the interim role following Kisaka’s dismissal, reflected on the challenges faced during his tenure. Rusa acknowledged the progress made in organizing KCCA but highlighted the continuing issues surrounding waste management and the tragic Kiteezi landfill collapse.

“The Kiteezi tragedy continues to haunt the hearts of many Ugandans,” Rusa said. “While we have made strides in reorganizing the institution, the challenges in waste management, including the acquisition of land for a modern facility, remain an urgent priority.”

Rusa also pointed to other significant issues facing the city, including the crisis at Busega Market and the ongoing struggle to address the problem of street children. These remain critical challenges for the city, with no immediate solution in sight.

Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, has also weighed in on Buzeki’s appointment, cautioning the new Executive Director about the dysfunctionality within KCCA. Lukwago noted the presence of numerous overlapping power centres within the institution, which he said create confusion and hinder effective governance.

“KCCA is a dysfunctional institution. There are too many power centres, and this creates confusion,” Lukwago warned. “I advise Hajjat Buzeki to take time to understand the inner workings of KCCA and build consensus among the various stakeholders to avoid further fragmentation.”

Despite these challenges, Buzeki remains optimistic about her mission to revitalize Kampala, emphasizing her commitment to working collaboratively with all city stakeholders. She has vowed to bring about positive change, ensuring that Kampala emerges as a more sustainable and well-managed capital city.

As she begins her tenure, all eyes will be on how she navigates the complex issues facing the city and whether her leadership will usher in the transformative change that Kampala residents have long awaited.