“I am yet to see what the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has done to improve Kampala given all the time he has had. I am not saying it is not there. It may be, but someone needs to educate me on what that is, whatever it is. I have even held this conversation with him asking him to dedicate some of his time to the finding and doing of something in Kampala from which it shall be recalled in 200 years later that that was the handiwork of Erias Lukwago as Lord Major” (Samson Kasumba – ‘OPINION: But what has Erias Lukwago really done for Kampala?’ 10.11.2023).
A politicians should be scrutinied and questioned. It is nice to see a text like this NilePost, but they are most about the opposition or opposition leaders. There isn’t the same due diligence or concern about the Ministers or the high ranking officials of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). You could wonder why, right?
However, we already know why, but let me digress. The article’s premiss is flawed, because it gives the apparent idea that the Lord Mayor has power and ability in his office. As if the Lord Mayor of Kampala can make a difference and change. The article acts like Lukwago is a powerful governor or Prince of the City, but his just a figure-head and publicist for the city at this point. That’s by default, by law and by design. It is as if the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) wasn’t made for a purpose and the appointment of a Minister of Kampala didn’t have an effect. An effect that has shielded and made it nearly impossible for the Lord Mayor to succeed or even get wiggle-room in his office. Secondly, speaking of time. In the last term he was impeached unjustifiably so and later had to return. Thirdly, the Lord Mayor has been arrested and house-arrested plenty of times too. That also take away the ability to achieve anything.
Nevertheless, let us go to the basics for a minute…
“11. Functions of Lord Mayor.
(1) The functions of the Lord Mayor are to—
(a) be the political head of the Capital City;
(b) preside over all meetings of the Authority;
(c) perform ceremonial functions and civic functions;
(d) host foreign and local dignitaries;
(e) head the Authority in developing strategies and programmes for the development of the Capital City;
(f) monitor the administration of the Capital City;
(g) provide guidance to the division administrations; and
(h) represent the Capital City on the Metropolitan Authority.
(2) The Lord Mayor shall in the performance of his or her functions, be answerable to the Authority and the Minister.
(3) The Deputy Lord Mayor shall assist the Lord Mayor in the performance of his or her functions and shall otherwise deputise for the Lord Mayor in his or her absence” (KCCA Act, 2010).
When you read these things. It doesn’t make the Lord Mayor powerful or prestigious does it? Well, in my regards, it make him a glorified councillor, but not a man with a mandate to make a difference. That is more for the appointed leadership within the KCCA and especially the KCCA Executive Director,
Just read this one here:
“19. Functions of executive director.
The functions of the executive director shall include the following—
(a) to be the head of the public service in the Authority and to head the administration of the Authority, including divisions and wards;
(b) to be the accounting officer of the Authority;
(c) to be responsible for the management of all public funds of the Authority and accountable to Parliament;
(d) be responsible for coordination and implementation of national and council policies, laws, regulations, byelaws, programmes and projects;
(e) advise the mayor and Authority on Government policy;
(f) present the annual budget to the Authority;
(g) advise the Authority on technical, administrative and legal matters pertaining to the management of the Authority;
(h) implement lawful decisions taken by the Authority;
(i) oversee the delivery of quality services to the population within the Capital City and take remedial action where service delivery standards are below the expected minimum standards;
(j) ensure proper physical planning and development control in the urban councils;
(k) monitor and coordinate the activities of the directorates of the Authority and of the lower Authority;
(l) be the custodian of all the assets and records of the Authority;
(m) attend meetings of the metropolitan Authority;
(n) supervise and evaluate staff performance;
(o) liaise with the central Government and other institutions on behalf of the Authority;
(p) conduct the public relations of the Authority;
(q) promote trade order;
(r) mobilise the urban community for development and sustainability of infrastructure and services;
(s) be responsible for the enforcement of ordinances and byelaws made by the Authority and its lower council units;
(t) be responsible to the Authority, subject to the general directions of the Minister;
(u) on day-to-day operations, be responsible to the Authority; and
(v) make reports to the council and the Minister on the state of affairs of the Capital City at least once a year or as the Minister or the Authority may determine;
to perform any other duties assigned by the Authority or the Minister” (KCCA Act, 2010).
This here sounds like the person should address and the ones with real power. That’s the intension of the creation of the KCCA to clip the wings of the Lord Mayor and it has done so too. That’s why the most prominent leader in the hierarchy of Kampala is sort of the Executive Director of the KCCA. Just read the functions of the Executive versus the Mayor and you get the gist.
That’s why it’s rich to read a paragraph like this in the article…
“Erias Lukwago run for that office to serve us residents of the capital. If you knew that it is near impossible to deliver services under this NRM government, why did you run for an office from which we expect services? There seems to be a line of dishonesty here. I am not sure that the primary task of a Lord Major is to effect change of Government. His job is to deliver services to the city dwellers. Has he done that? If he has not, must we not bring him to task? If and when we don’t bring him to task. then have we taken our citizen responsibility seriously?” (Kasumba, 10.11. 2023).
The KCCA Act didn’t eradicate or take away the role or office of Lord Mayor, but it did take away it’s mandate and partly its reason for existing. It is a duplication and done so because the NRM cannot get their flag-bearers to win an election. They know this and the President too. That’s why they have made this law and amended it too. Just to ensure that the NRM get to have oversight and have some sort of control of the city. Even if the City elects the opposition and leaders in defiance of the NRM.
Yes, Lukwago should be able to bring services to the people, but in this case. The calls should be at the Executive Director and her “council” or “authority”, as they are bearing the blunt of the mandate and the Lord Mayor is there for the festivities.
So please, get a grip and until laws are either amended or removed. Until that happens and the law is still active. That sets the boundaries, the mandate and options, which the Lord Mayor has in his office. Therefore, let us adjourn and get some chai, aye? Peace.
MinBane 