Museveni praises KCCA councillors for defying Lukwago

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President Museveni has applauded Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Urban division councillors who defied a council resolution to attend a one-week leadership training at National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi.

The leadership training started on November 21st and ended on November 28th.

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When Kampala Minister Beti Kamya announced the training schedule, the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago convened a council meeting on November 8th which vetoed it.

Lukwago argued that the training could not be described as a KCCA event since it had not been authorised by his office.

As the political head of the institution, Lukwago asserted that Kamya's motive of organising the training without the Lord Mayor's authority was inconsistent with the provisions of the KCCA Act, 2010.

However, a section of councillors led by NRM's Bruhan Byaruhanga who represents Kyambogo University attended the training.

Byaruhanga said a total of 12 councillors went to Kyankwanzi.

When added to Urban Division councillors from Kampala Central, Rubaga, Nakawa, Kawempe and Makindye urban councils, the number went up to 218 councillors according to a letter issued by Minister Kamya.

The councillors met President Museveni on Friday evening at State House, Entebbe.

Museveni told the councillors that it's good they defied the resolution and broke away from people who never wanted them to attend.

"Those who think leadership is like flu that is caught will make you fall into trouble…it is good that you defied the resolution and broke yourselves away from those people who did not want to help you," Museveni told councillors.

He urged them to encourage the youth to find ways of fitting into the four sectors of agriculture, industries, services and Information and Communication Technology in order to create wealth and employment for themselves.

"Leaders are like doctors. If you find a sick person, you advise them. Encourage youth to find employment in these sectors because minus that, you will have betrayed your people. If a youth is wearing a red band, which sector is that?" he asked.

He also asked councillors to be alert and use political pressure to advocate for more fund allocation into the youth and women funds. Museveni says a lot of money was being wasted into irrelevant expensive trips abroad by their leaders.

KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi last month introduced a number of austerity measures including reducing foreign travels as the institution battles low revenue collection.

Byaruhanga said they were equipped with political, economic and military training. He says the training helped them to appreciate the roles they should play in transforming Kampala.