We are tired of KCCA fights - Katikkiro

By Julius Yiga Bakabaage

& Chronicles Nyakato

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has urged the government to adopt the Bulungi Bwansi (community service) approach of the Buganda Kingdom as a means to address the growing challenges in Kampala City. He emphasised that a community-driven model, which has been a long-standing tradition in Buganda, could significantly enhance the city’s development if implemented effectively.

Speaking at the launch of Bulungi Bwansi week at Bulange Mengo, the seat of the Buganda Kingdom, Mayiga pointed out that the success of Buganda's communal spirit could be replicated in Kampala to solve many of its urban issues.

“Kampala could improve if we applied the Bulungi Bwansi style of the Buganda Kingdom,” he said, noting that the self-help and volunteer-driven model encourages citizens to take responsibility for the cleanliness and order of their neighborhoods.

However, Mayiga stressed that for such an approach to work, the government must adequately fund the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), to enable it to manage the technical aspects of running the city.

“The government needs to adequately fund KCCA to enable them to run the technical process of the city,” he said.

He also expressed his frustration over the long-standing conflicts between the political and technical wings of KCCA, which have often stalled progress in the city’s development.

“We are fed up with the endless bickering between the political and technical wings of KCCA,” the Katikkiro declared, calling for unity and better cooperation to ensure that the city functions more efficiently for all its residents.

The Bulungi Bwansi week, an initiative that encourages communities to engage in cleaning and improving public spaces, is a hallmark of Buganda's communal efforts. Mayiga believes that if adapted to urban governance, it could be the key to resolving some of Kampala’s challenges, including poor sanitation, unplanned urban growth, and congestion.

Kampala’s continued urbanisation has brought to light the inadequacies of its infrastructure and governance. With increasing pressure on KCCA to deliver, Mayiga’s call for a return to community-centered initiatives like Bulungi Bwansi resonates with many who are eager to see a cleaner, better organised city.

As part of the Bulungi Bwansi week, several activities, including community clean-ups and public awareness campaigns, will be held across the kingdom to promote civic responsibility.

The Buganda Kingdom remains a significant cultural and political institution, and its continued advocacy for a better-managed city through grassroots initiatives highlights the potential of blending traditional values with modern governance.