KCCA: OUR JOURNEY 2024/25 AND PROSPECTS FOR 2025/26: A NEW ERA FOR KAMPALA

Kampala  | August 4, 2025  | Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has closed the Financial Year 2024/25 with a renewed sense of momentum and purpose. The year has marked a significant turning point for Uganda’s capital, a period of bold reforms, citizen-focused service delivery, and visionary infrastructure investments. As the city prepares for the future, this article captures the highlights of KCCA’s transformation journey, the road ahead, and the collaborative spirit that is redefining Kampala as a modern, resilient, and liveable city.

Integrated Waste Management: The Buyala Breakthrough

One of the standout achievements in the past year is KCCA’s decisive move to address Kampala’s long-standing waste crisis. With the Kiteezi landfill now overburdened and environmentally hazardous, KCCA secured a 230-hectare site in Buyala, Mpigi, to host Uganda’s first Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Facility.

The decommissioning of Kiteezi has commenced with a $1 million grant from the Government of Japan through UN Habitat, targeting critical interventions such as gas emission control, slope stabilization, and leachate management across 7 of the landfill’s 39 acres.

Beyond infrastructure, KCCA is nurturing a cultural shift in waste handling. Community cleanups, a “No Litter” campaign, and strict enforcement measures are encouraging residents to embrace waste sorting and responsible disposal. Over 4,000 vulnerable residents have also been employed under a reservation scheme to maintain the city’s cleanliness, a testament to inclusive urban governance.

Roads That Connect, Infrastructure That Transforms

KCCA is transforming Kampala’s road infrastructure under the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP) and Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP). Over 70 kilometers of roads are being rehabilitated, including Old Mubende, Wamala, Kabega, Luwafu, and Kigala roads.

Landmark bridges such as Kayemba Bridge and Nakawa Railway Crossing are near completion and already easing mobility. Through GKMA-UDP, KCCA launched 15 roads across all city divisions totaling 19.85 kilometers, with a broader 81.7km network in the pipeline.

Using government funding and internal teams, several roads have undergone sectional or full overhaul. In the next three years, KCCA is set to receive UGX 550 billion to reconstruct and rehabilitate 84 kilometers of roads and drainage systems, through a framework agreement with Dott Services Ltd.

Additionally, under JICA’s Junction Improvement Project, the Kampala Traffic Control Center has been completed at City Hall, with real-time traffic management systems pending installation. At least 27 junctions have been signalized, with 22 more lined up including Kabalagala, Queens Way, and Kibuye.

Flood Resilience: A City Learning to Breathe Again

Flood mitigation is a priority in Kampala’s climate resilience agenda. In 2024/25, KCCA maintained and de-silted critical drainage systems in Bwaise, Kansanga, Kalerwe, Ggaba, Lubigi, and Nakamiro. In the coming year, 47.7 kilometers of new drainage works and upgrades to culverts and manholes will be completed.

Projects like Wakaliga Kivumbi zone drainage and Kikubamutwe outflow channels demonstrate how micro-infrastructure improvements are contributing to reduced urban flooding. High-impact drainage initiatives under GKMA-UDP such as Lugogo, Kyambogo, and Katwe box culverts, will soon follow.

Restoring Dignity in Public Spaces

In a drive to improve public sanitation, KCCA constructed 59 new toilets, 33 in schools and 26 in public areas while renovating 14 others. This includes facilities in markets, schools, and police stations, serving thousands daily. Key school infrastructure projects include new classroom blocks at Nakivubo Primary School, renovations at Munyonyo, Kololo SS, and Kyambogo College, and fencing at Kasubi Family School.

Work is also underway to upgrade Philip Omondi Stadium, reaffirming KCCA’s commitment to youth development through sports.

Safeguarding Kampala’s Children

KCCA’s efforts to protect vulnerable children have yielded strong results. In 2024/25, 208 children were rescued from street exploitation, while 684 were reintegrated into government schools in Napak District. The Authority continues to dismantle trafficking and child begging rings, in tandem with crackdowns on illegal vendors.

Building Economic Inclusion from the Ground Up

With the commissioning of Busega Market by President Yoweri Museveni, over 2,000 vendors have found structured workspaces. Construction continues at Kiseka and Kitintale markets, with two new markets planned for each city division under a presidential directive.

Vendor registration and zoning in 16 of 17 public markets are promoting formalization, while sensitization efforts are aligning private market operations with the Markets Act 2023. KCCA has also profiled 78 private markets.

At Kabalagala Youth Centre, over 600 youths were trained in practical skills such as photography, graphic design, bakery, and hairdressing. Of these, 125 received vocational certificates, and some were provided with startup kits to begin earning a livelihood.

Across 98 parishes, Kampala’s implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) leads the country, disbursing UGX 29.3 billion over three years and benefiting over 28,500 households involved in small-scale agriculture and value addition.

Greener, Cleaner, and Healthier Kampala

KCCA’s Urban Forest Management Plan (2023–2029) was launched to guide city greening efforts. Over 8,500 trees have been planted, with rehabilitation of iconic green spaces such as Constitutional Square, Mutesa II monuments, and Nile Avenue median ongoing.

In collaboration with partners like MTN, tree planting has been scaled up across roads and public spaces. Offenders misusing green spaces have been subjected to community service. More trees, air quality monitoring, and environmental education are planned for the upcoming year.

Development Control, Revenue Mobilization, and Financial Inclusion

From May to August 2025, KCCA has processed 902 of 1,011 development applications, with a reduced turnaround of four weeks. This efficiency is part of a broader effort to streamline urban planning and enforce development standards.

On revenue, KCCA collected UGX 127.6 billion in 2024/25, surpassing its target. With 29,095 new taxpayers registered, the authority is on course to achieve UGX 132.4 billion in 2025/26. A total of 148 parish engagements have promoted voluntary compliance and improved property rates collections.

What Lies Ahead in FY 2025/26

KCCA’s priorities for the upcoming year include:

• Completion of remaining KCRRP road works (Salama, Portbell, Sir Apollo Kaggwa)
• Signalizing 22 new junctions and installing 123 km of pedestrian/cyclist lanes
• Operationalizing Buyala Waste Facility, including weighbridges and leachate systems
• Maintenance of 47.7 km of drainage and construction of 5.3 km of new channels
• Commencement of Ggaba and Usafi markets construction
• Construction of a maternity ward at Kiswa Health Centre
• Upgrading of Kasubi Primary School and procurement of 710 desks

KCCA also plans to scale up its climate adaptation strategy through expanded green corridors and wetlands protection.

Challenges Remain

Despite the milestones, challenges persist:

• Inadequate garbage trucks for all 100 parishes
• Wetland encroachment and poor waste disposal habits
• A limited fleet of only 12 ambulances for the entire city

KCCA calls for increased funding, public-private partnerships, and stronger citizen engagement to meet these gaps.

Unity, Responsibility, and Celebration

As Uganda enters an election year, KCCA urges citizens to protect public infrastructure and avoid political disruptions in public service areas. Civic responsibility will ensure continued development and social cohesion.

To crown these efforts, Kampala City Festival 2025 returns with a grand launch on August 6 at City Hall. This cultural celebration will showcase Kampala’s transformation, talent, and unity.

KCCA acknowledges the unwavering support of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Ministry for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, the Head of Public Service, city leaders, and all residents.

Together, we are building the Kampala we all deserve a livable, inclusive, and prosperous capital city.