Lukwago Slams KCCA Legal Department as a 'Total Nuisance'
Mr Lukwago expressed his discontent during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, held on Wednesday, January 8.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has castigated the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) legal department, describing its operations as a "total nuisance".
Mr Lukwago expressed his discontent during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, held on Wednesday, January 8.
The Lord Mayor’s criticism comes at a time when the legal department has been under scrutiny for its perceived inefficiencies, especially during the period when former acting Executive Director Frank Rusa was at the helm of KCCA from September 2024 to early January 2025.
“You will have problems with that department,” Lukwago warned Ms Buzeki, adding that the department’s failure to take decisive action against errant KCCA officials had undermined efforts to restore order within the city.
Mr Lukwago specifically faulted the legal team for failing to prosecute officials implicated in scandals involving the allocation of market stalls to unauthorised individuals.
"Yesterday, I was in court, and I saw a lawyer sentenced to Luzira within an hour. Why can't we do the same for those officials who have failed this institution?" he wondered, emphasing the urgent need for accountability within KCCA’s ranks.
The Lord Mayor further decried the high number of cases KCCA has lost in court, attributing the failures to what he termed as incompetence within the legal department.
He expressed hope that the return of Frank Rusa to his substantive role as Director of Legal Affairs would help restore efficiency and professionalism.
“I hope it [the legal department] will be handled well now that Rusa is back,” Lukwago said, before reiterating his earlier stance, “Those who have been there—total nuisance!”
Although the Lord Mayor did not point out any specific names, the department has been headed by Caleb Mugisha while Rusa was at the helm of KCCA.
Rusa, who took over as acting Executive Director in September 2024, handed over office to Buzeki, marking the end of his interim leadership.
Many now expect him to revamp the legal department, which has been pivotal in handling the authority’s numerous legal battles.
As Buzeki assumes her new role as the KCCA Executive Director, stakeholders are looking forward to seeing how she navigates the challenges ahead.
Restoring order in the city markets, ensuring transparency in governance, and improving KCCA’s legal standing in court are likely to dominate her agenda.
Buzeki takes over at a time when the authority faces immense pressure to deliver on key urban management issues, including infrastructure development, sanitation, and market reforms.
With Rusa resuming his duties in the legal department, hopes are high that KCCA’s legal troubles will be addressed more effectively.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by various city officials, members of the business community, and representatives from different sectors, signaling widespread interest in the direction KCCA will take under its new leadership.
