Frank Nyakaana Rusa Appointed Acting Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)

In a significant reshuffle of Kampala’s leadership, Frank Nyakaana Rusa, the former Legal Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), has been appointed to serve as Acting Executive Director.

Sep 26, 2024 - 22:33
Sep 26, 2024 - 22:33
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Frank Nyakaana Rusa Appointed Acting Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)
Frank Nyakaana Rusa

In a significant reshuffle of Kampala’s leadership, Frank Nyakaana Rusa, the former Legal Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), has been appointed to serve as Acting Executive Director. This appointment, made by the Minister for Kampala, Hon. Minsa Kabanda, follows the dismissal of Dorothy Kisaka, the former Executive Director of KCCA, along with Eng. David Luyimbazi, Deputy Executive Director, and Dr. Daniel Okello, Director of Public Health. The trio was removed from their positions by President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday, 24th September 2024.

Nyakaana will serve in an acting capacity until the Public Service Commission advertises and permanently fills the vacant positions within the next three months, as directed by the President. His appointment comes at a time when Kampala is undergoing critical urban development and facing pressing public service delivery challenges. Alongside Nyakaana, Nowera Robert has been named Acting Deputy Executive Director, and Sarah Zalwango Karen will serve as Acting Director of Public Health.

Frank Nyakaana Rusa is no stranger to the complexities of city governance, having served as the Legal Director of KCCA prior to his appointment as Acting Executive Director. In this role, he was instrumental in guiding the Authority through legal reforms, ensuring compliance with city ordinances, and supporting various legal frameworks aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of KCCA. His extensive experience in city management and legal affairs positions him as a strong candidate to lead the organization through this transitional period.

Nyakaana’s legal expertise will be critical as KCCA continues to grapple with urban challenges, including garbage collection and disposal following the Kiteezi disaster which claimed over 30 lives, infrastructure development, public health management, and waste disposal, all while navigating the political and legal complexities that come with managing Uganda’s capital city. His focus on governance and institutional integrity will likely ensure that KCCA operations remain stable and transparent as the Public Service Commission works to appoint a permanent replacement.

President Museveni’s decision to dismiss Dorothy Kisaka, Eng. David Luyimbazi, and Dr. Daniel Okello came amid growing concerns over the management of critical urban issues in Kampala. The city has been facing mounting pressure to address traffic congestion, improve public sanitation, and modernize its infrastructure. The leadership changes are seen as part of a broader strategy to infuse new energy into the administration of KCCA and ensure that the city can meet its development goals.

In the wake of these dismissals, President Museveni tasked the Minister for Kampala with recommending interim appointments to fill the vacant leadership positions temporarily. These appointments were intended to ensure that the city’s administration would continue to function smoothly during the transition period.

In addition to Nyakaana, Nowera Robert has been appointed as Acting Deputy Executive Director, replacing Eng. David Luyimbazi. Nowera’s background in urban planning and infrastructure development makes him a crucial figure in continuing the city’s large-scale projects, including road construction, drainage systems, and public space management. His appointment ensures that the city’s ongoing infrastructure initiatives will not stall as KCCA undergoes this leadership transition.

Meanwhile, Sarah Zalwango Karen has taken over as Acting Director of Public Health, a position previously held by Dr. Daniel Okello. Zalwango’s role will be pivotal in addressing the city’s public health challenges, particularly as Kampala continues to face sanitation issues and the risk of disease outbreaks. Her focus will be on improving waste management, enhancing health services, and ensuring that public health initiatives are properly executed.

The Public Service Commission has been tasked with advertising the vacant positions and conducting a competitive recruitment process to identify permanent replacements for the roles of Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Director of Public Health. This process is expected to take three months, and the commission will be looking for candidates who can lead KCCA through its next phase of urban development and reform.

During this interim period, Nyakaana, Nowera, and Zalwango will be responsible for ensuring that KCCA’s day-to-day operations continue without disruption. They will also be expected to maintain momentum on key projects and reforms that are vital to the city’s long-term growth

The new interim leadership team faces a number of pressing challenges as they take on their roles at KCCA. Kampala’s infrastructure development, particularly its road networks and drainage systems, remains a priority as the city struggles with chronic traffic congestion and flooding during the rainy seasons. Nyakaana will need to work closely with Nowera Robert and other key stakeholders to ensure that these projects remain on schedule.

Public health is another critical area that will demand attention. Kampala’s rapid urbanization has placed immense pressure on the city’s sanitation systems, and Sarah Zalwango Karen will need to lead efforts to improve waste management and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks in densely populated areas.

In addition to these operational challenges, the new leadership team will need to ensure that KCCA’s financial management remains sound. This includes overseeing the Authority’s budget, improving revenue collection, and ensuring that public funds are used efficiently to deliver essential services to Kampala’s residents.

Frank Nyakaana Rusa’s appointment as Acting Executive Director of KCCA marks a new chapter for the Authority. With his extensive legal background and deep understanding of KCCA’s operations, Nyakaana is well-positioned to guide the organization through this transitional phase. Together with Acting Deputy Executive Director Nowera Robert and Acting Director of Public Health Sarah Zalwango Karen, he will be tasked with maintaining stability, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and addressing the challenges facing Uganda’s capital city.

As Kampala continues to grow and evolve, the new interim leadership will play a crucial role in shaping its future. The Public Service Commission’s recruitment process in the coming months will be critical in determining the long-term leadership of KCCA, but in the meantime, Nyakaana and his team will be instrumental in ensuring that the city remains on course towards achieving its development goals.

John Kusolo John Kusolo, a Ugandan Journalist, Sport fanatic, Tourist, Pastor, and Motivational Speaker. I am passionate about my work with a steady source of motivation that drives me to do my best. I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenge and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. Socials: John Kusolo on facebook and Twitter.