New KCCA executive unveiled as Mayor Balimwezo demands action on Kampala’s floods, roads

L-R: Faridah Nakabugo, Godfrey Luyombya, Shamim Nambassa and Judith Nalukwago

In a bid to steer Uganda’s capital through a maze of chronic urban challenges, Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo has unveiled a fresh executive team for the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) council, calling an end to political bickering and demanding a fierce focus on service delivery.

The high-stakes appointments were announced Monday during a packed council sitting at City Hall. Rubaga II councillor Faridah Nakabugo was named the new Deputy Lord Mayor. In addition to her high-profile deputy role, Nakabugo will anchor the administration as the Executive Secretary for Human Resource and Administration.

A fresh cabinet takes shape

The newly minted executive committee represents a strategic reshuffle aimed at tackling Kampala's most paralyzing structural issues.

The other key appointments include: Shamim Nambasa who is the executive Secretary for Finance; Godfrey Luyombya (Nakawa II) who is the executive secretary for Physical Planning and Works and Dr Judith Nalukwago (Makindye III) who was named the Executive Secretary for Social Services.

The chambers erupted into loud applause, particularly from members of the National Unity Platform (NUP), which commands a majority in the KCCA council, when Nakabugo’s name was read out. The newly appointed officials subsequently took their oaths of office, formally assuming their administrative portfolios.

"Time for practical solutions"

Addressing journalists immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, Lord Mayor Balimwezo struck a pragmatic tone, emphasizing that the city's salvation lies in seamless cooperation between political leaders, technical teams, and ordinary citizens.

“We must work together if we want to improve service delivery in Kampala. The people who elected us expect action, not endless political disagreements,” Balimwezo warned. “The elections are over. This is now the time for service delivery and practical solutions for Kampala residents.”

Kampala has long been hamstrung by rapid population growth, systemic traffic congestion, youth unemployment, and inadequate drainage systems. Heavy rains routinely submerge critical low-lying hubs like Bwaise, Nateete, and parts of the central business district—paralyzing transport, drowning merchandise, and frustrating the business community. Balimwezo noted that solving these deeply entrenched issues requires leaders to discard personal and partisan interests.

To bridge the gap between City Hall and the public, the Lord Mayor revealed imminent plans to launch comprehensive consultations with traders, community leaders, and key stakeholders to actively shape future urban policies.

War on Corruption and Crumbling Infrastructure

Speaking shortly after taking her oath, Deputy Lord Mayor Nakabugo acknowledged the immense public pressure resting on the new team's shoulders.

“The confidence people have shown in us is a challenge we must respond to through hard work and commitment,” Nakabugo said. She drew a direct line between administrative integrity and urban development, pledging to back aggressive initiatives to dismantle corruption within the KCCA. “Corruption affects service delivery and delays development. Leaders and residents must all join efforts to eliminate it.”

Turning to infrastructure, Nakabugo highlighted the city’s notoriously poor road networks and failing drainage systems as crises requiring emergency intervention. She noted that local traders routinely suffer devastating financial losses due to flash floods. To combat the city's soaring youth unemployment, Nakabugo announced that the council intends to aggressively advocate for the construction of more public markets across the Kampala Metropolitan Area to spark job creation.

Bi-partisan backing

While the executive lineup heavily reflects NUP’s council dominance, the opposition National Resistance Movement (NRM) signaled a willingness to work across the aisle for the greater good of the capital.

Ali Kalule Salongo, an NRM councillor, conceded that while some opposition members had anticipated representation on the executive committee, the broader focus must remain on the taxpayer.

“We will support the newly appointed team in the interest of serving Kampala residents,” Salongo said. “We expect all leaders to serve people equally regardless of political affiliation because Kampala belongs to everyone.”