Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende has urged the central government to stop interfering with the political leadership of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), saying such meddling is undermining effective service delivery to city residents.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament, Malende—who recently returned from medical treatment in Kenya following injuries sustained during a scuffle in Parliament over the Coffee Amendment Bill—accused the executive of frustrating efforts by KCCA’s political wing to deliver essential services.
Malende said the KCCA leadership, headed by the Lord Mayor, has continually faced obstruction from the Minister for Kampala and the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) whenever they attempt to push for improved services such as road maintenance, garbage collection, and drainage system upgrades.
“The political leaders are sidelined whenever they push for the implementation of projects meant for the people. This interference is affecting progress and leaving city residents underserved,” she said.
She added that while she has consistently raised issues affecting Kampala during her four years in Parliament, many of these concerns have been ignored by the government.
Malende emphasized the need for the executive to allow KCCA’s political leadership to function independently and implement planned projects without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. She believes this would lead to more effective governance and improved service delivery for the people of Kampala.
Her remarks come amid continued criticism from various stakeholders over the stalled or slow implementation of urban infrastructure projects in the capital, often blamed on political wrangling between elected leaders and government appointees.