Rusa Downplays Claims of Discord Between KCCA Technical and Political Wings

Frank Rusa, the outgoing Acting Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Director of Legal Affairs, has dismissed the notion that the authority's technical and political wings are incapable of working together.

Speaking during the handover ceremony to the newly appointed Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, and her deputy, Benon Kigenyi, on January 8, Rusa challenged the perception of inherent discord between the two arms of KCCA.

“There’s a belief that the KCCA technical wing and political wing can’t work together, but that’s not true,” Rusa said.

He attributed the perceived tensions to a failure to focus on their shared mission of serving Kampala’s residents.

Since its establishment in 2010, KCCA has grappled with conflicts between its technical and political wings.

Political leaders have often accused the technical team of sabotaging their initiatives, including claims of technical officials failing to attend council meetings as required by law.

These disagreements have been cited as a significant obstacle to effective service delivery in the city.

Rusa, who served as acting ED for 111 days, believes that cooperation is achievable.

“For the time I have been acting ED, I can tell you that collaborative efforts, if anchored on serving the people of Kampala, can yield a good working relationship,” he said.

The new leadership, under Buzeki and Kigenyi, is tasked with bridging this historical divide.

Their ability to foster harmony between the technical and political wings will be critical in addressing the persistent challenges of city management, including waste disposal, infrastructure development, and service delivery.

President Yoweri Museveni’s appointment of Buzeki and Kigenyi in December 2024 marks a significant shift in KCCA’s leadership.

As they assume their roles, expectations are high for transformative governance and tangible improvements in the lives of Kampala’s residents.