MPs Question Duplication of Roles at KCCA with Ministry of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs

Legislators on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament have raised questions about the existence of the Ministry of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, despite the presence of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

This concern was expressed during a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs on May 23, 2024, who appeared before the Committee to respond to queries raised in the December 2023 Auditor General’s report.

The MPs argued that the funds allocated to the Kampala Ministry could be better utilized to improve services within the city and surrounding areas. Bataringaya Basil Bata, the MP for Kashari North, pointed out the duplication of roles between the Ministry of Kampala, KCCA, and the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development.

“The Accounting Officer should justify the existence of this ministry, given the presence of other entities like KCCA, which plans and implements its own programs. What is the mandate of this ministry versus that of these other entities? This will help us determine if the funds are being put to good use and providing value for money,” Bataringaya asked.

Kassanda North MP Patrick Nsamba supported Bataringaya, seeking clarification on the role of the Ministry in the development of the country. “Don’t we duplicate efforts when we have a Ministry of Urban Development? We already have a full-fledged entity in KCCA; do we really need this ministry? I want to understand the relevance of this ministry in the country’s development,” Nsamba remarked.

In response, the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Undersecretary Monica Edemachu Ejua defended the existence of the Ministry alongside KCCA. She explained that the Ministry provides supervision and guidance to KCCA and other surrounding areas, ensuring that their implementation is done within the existing framework.

The Ministry also coordinates the planning functions of all nine entities within the Kampala Metropolitan Region to avoid duplication and ensure a coordinated approach to development.

Edemachu emphasized that the Kampala Metropolitan Region is rapidly urbanizing, with a population projected to increase from 5 million to 11 million by 2040. She stressed the need for effective planning to address the challenges in the region, which contributes over 60% of the country’s GDP. “If we don’t plan for this region, it will be a serious time bomb. Our mandate is to address these issues, working closely with the Ministry of Land and Urban Development at the strategic level, while ensuring implementation is done in line with guidelines,” she said.

The Ministry of Kampala maintains that its focus is on supervising and coordinating KCCA’s activities, ensuring alignment with the established framework, while KCCA is responsible for direct operations and governance of Kampala as the legal entity established for this purpose.

The leadership authorities in Kampala include the Cabinet Minister of Kampala Capital City Authority, Hon. Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, Minister of State for Kampala Capital City Authority, Hon. Kyofatogabye Kabuye, Lord Mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago, and his deputy, Kampala Authority Council Speaker, and the Executive Director of KCCA, Dorothy Kisaka.