KAMPALA – Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has on June 11, given an account of the eight years of its existence, with physical infrastructural development taking priority.
The remarkable achievements also included diplomatic relations, health and education developments, and revenue collections among others.
The authority has also outlined key projects over the coming years to cover public transport, healthcare and law enforcement that will change the face of Kampala.
Mr. Andrew Mubiru Kitaka the acting Executive Director (ED) KCCA officiated the event saying the Authority has rebranded and earned good public will and credibility, attracting sponsorship in cash and kind for city improvement.
“Today KCCA is one of the most recognized, trusted and valued brands in the country and abroad,” Kitaka said.
On Physical Planning, Kitaka says the Authority drew the Kampala Physical Development Plan to guide urban planning which he says is a key pillar of the City development policy.
Kampala’s transformation journey started in 2011 after Kampala City Council (KCC) was replaced by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) through an act of parliament (KCC Act 2010).
Kitaka noted that at the onset, KCCA carried out a major institutional reform which was aimed at strengthening service delivery.
“The institution has attracted highly skilled and dedicated personnel to plan and execute the city’s development operations guided by KCCA’s Strategy Plan,” he said.
He also added that KCCA team has streamlined internal processes for revenue management, recruitment and public accountability.
The agency, according to the acting ED, now attracts international financiers and development partners such as the World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, European Union in Uganda among others.
Kitaka, on the KCCA success journey, has commended the central government for the continued support and acknowledged, “Citizens, the international community, staff and sponsors who have a vision of making Kampala a successful city.”
KCCA also under her Kampala Climate Change Project has prepared neighbourhood plans for Nakasero, Kololo, Makerere and Mulago.
“It’ll ensure that these areas have well-planned housing and public facilities, trees, safe walkways and easy access to public transport,” Kitaka said.
For environment conservation, Eng. Kitaka confirmed that over 10,000 trees have been planted in the city and about 4,500 Square meters of green and open spaces have been restored or improved upon.
On Transport and Road Infrastructure Improvements, the Authority has upgraded over 210kms of roads to tarmac and has maintained over 500kms of gravel roads.
These include Makerere Hill, Kiira, Mabule and Bakuli –Kasubi roads with 13 new traffic signs and also conducted rehabilitation of nine roads within Makerere University.
Eng. Kitaka says this has been done with support from World Bank.
He highlighted that KCCA has registered a 190% increase in revenue collections since the introduction of an electronic revenue system that is phasing out cash collections.
The KCCA boss added that the value of all KCCA assets increased by 1350% from UGX 45Bn (2011) to UGX 549 Bn (June 2017).
“We have received Unqualified Audit Opinion for four consecutive Financial Years,” he stated.
Other achievements include running 79 government-aided schools, with over 151 classrooms and 6 science laboratories plus two modern 170-bed hospitals in Makindye and Kawempe divisions.
“These have since been occupied and managed by Mulago Referral Hospital,” says Eng. Kitaka.
However, eight years down the road, KCCA is still faced with the issue of flooding and poor drainage that is a health hazard to most city dwellers, in conclusion, Eng. Kitaka assured journalist that funds will be obtainable to resolve this challenge.
