NATIONAL | Frank Rusa Nyakaana's dream to be the substantive Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is facing at least two full-grown elephants in the public administration milieu.
Mr Robert Kabushenga, a corporate lawyer reputed for growing The New Vision into Vision Group empire, and former managing director of the National Social Security Fund Richard Byarugaba are both shortlisted for the top job by the Public Service.
Mr Kabushenga, a seasoned journalist, rose through the ranks at The New Vision and went on to grow the brand into a multimedia empire holding print, radios, TV stations and digital media.
He resigned in January 2021 into private business as an enterprising coffee farmer and marketing influencer for the cash crop that he says he can smell with his skin.
Mr Byarugaba, a banker, was the managing director of Global Trust Bank when he took over at NSSF as chief executive in 2017, running the semi-autonomous pension scheme for five years until he was defenestrated in 2022.
The two top public administrators - Kabushenga and Byarugaba - are out to try to grab the pie that Mr Rusa has already lifted close to his mouth in his interim position.
Mr Rusa was appointed by the President to steady the stricken KCCA ship in the wake of Ms Kisaka's ingominous exit since the Authority cannot function without the stamp of the ED.
He had already been at the City Hall as the director of legal affairs and the former Executive Secretary of the inter-party Organisation for Dialogue is a man whose Masters in Public Administration puts him in high stead.
The tentative shortlist of 44 applicants - including one whose name appears twice and another thrice - was leaked to the public on Wednesday.
Sources at City Hall and the Public Service say the official shortlist will be released on Friday but the Nile Post has confirmed that has been leaked is genuine.
At least six women are shortlisted for the top job that has only been held in substantive position by women with men in acting position in-between.
Ms Harriet Ssali, Venlander Namayanja, Irene Nnosi, Phoeby Nakabuye, Mexentia Bukirwa, and Florence Kintu are trying to emulate Jennifer Musisi, the first political head at the City Hall, and the immediate former boss Dorothy Kisaka.
The office fell vacant when Mr Museveni ordered the sacking of Ms Kisaka and her deputy David Luyambazi as well as the director for public health, Dr Denis Okello, over negligence in the Kiteezi Landfill tragedy.
At least 32 people were killed when tonnes of garbage crushed on their homes in August. Kisaka, Luyimbazi and Okello are currently on remand in prison pending prosecution for their alleged act of negligence in the Kiteezi tragedy.
In his dismissal of the Kisaka-led KCCA, President Museveni also ordered the Public Service ministry to advertise the positions and fill it with suitably qualified public administrators.
It would be the first time the job is being advertised having previously been earned through head-hunting in the corridors of State House.
And, on October 9, the public service opened the files for applicants to submit their interests.
In the job advert, the government said it was seeking a candidate who is a Ugandan holding a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university or institution plus a Masters Degree in Law.
One could also have a Masters Degree in Business Administration, or Economics, or Public Sector Management; or Public Administration; or Urban Planning and Management; or Urban Governance and Management; or Management Studies.
"Applicants should have a minimum of 15 years relevant working experience in the field of public administration and management, three of which should have been served at the level of Deputy Executive Director, or Head of Department in government or equivalent level from a reputable organisation," the job posting said.
The ED's office at the City Hall is considered a political job. It was created in 2011 after the Kampala Capital City was ballooned into an agency whose overall leadership was vested in the Executive wherewithal.
Ms Musisi was appointed as the first ED in April 2011 and served during a difficult time when position was still facing public jitters having been led by a mayor but she earned that acceptable through her work output.
The ED is responsible to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet to whom they report results of their duties such as coordination and management of all public funds of the Authority and being accountable to Parliament.
The ED also coordinates implementation of national and council laws, policies, regulations, bye laws, programmes and projects, and provides technical guidance to the Lord Mayor and the Authority on government policy, technical, administrative and legal matters pertaining to the management of the Authority.
The KCCA head is also mandated with coordination of delivery of quality services to the population within the Kampala Capital City and taking remedial action where service delivery standard are below the expected minimum standards.
The application period was closed on October 18 and the ministry has since pulled down the advert from its website.
The Public Service will on Friday release the final shortlist and proceed with interview of the candidates on dates yet to be established.
List of Applicants (with Interview ID):
- 24029000C Mutegeki Herbert
- 240290001 Byamugisha Fred
- 240290001 Mugume Isaac
- 240290002 Karuhanga Robert
- 240290002 Kakooza Henry
- 240290002 Mujuni Benard
- 240290003 Muhumuza Bagada Patrick
- 240290003 Muhumuza Bagada Patrick
- 240290003 Jabbe Pascal Osinde Osudo
- 240290004 Mutumba Geoffrey
- 240290004 Kyeyune Paul
- 240290004 Semasaka Joseph
- 240290004 Mbabazi Anania
- 240290005 Ainebyoona Naboth
- 240290006 Asubo Sydney
- 240290006 Ainebyoona Naboth
- 240290006 Ssali Harriet
- 240290007 Rusa Frank Nyakaana
- 240290007 Namayanja Venlander
- 240290009 Nnosi Irene
- 24029001C Magoba Clement
- 24029001C Kedi Ivan Opedes
- 24029001C Ainebyoona Naboth
- 24029001C Mutenyo Isaac
- 24029001C Nansamba Jane Frances
- 240290012 Andama Sisto Ocanda
- 240290012 Phoeby Nakabuye
- 240290013 Byarugaba Richard Patrick
- 240290013 Kibuuka Bbosa Wilson
- 240290013 Kinga Swizin Mugyema
- 240290014 Sebaggala Mustapha Kigozi
- 240290014 Ainebyoona Naboth
- 240290015 Tumwine William
- 240290015 Nuwagira Roberto
- 240290015 Bukirwa Maxentia
- 24029002C Kabushenga Robert
- 240290017 Sseremba Henry
- 240290017 Yiga Benon
- 240290017 Ssekabembe Ronald Kiberu
- 240290018 Kisekka Godfrey Bwebukya
- 240290018 Kintu Florence
- 240290018 Mugalu Ramathan
- 24029002C Ndawula Douglas Kakuyuku
- 24029002C Baryaruha Marvin