Hajat Sharifa Buzeki, the newly sworn-in Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), has pledged to address the pressing issues of traffic congestion, waste management, and corruption in the city.
Speaking after taking her oath of office on Wednesday 8th January 2025, Buzeki acknowledged the dire state of traffic in Kampala, describing the city as "not motorable." She emphasized the need for urgent solutions to reduce travel time and improve productivity.
“We will digitalize public transport to ease mobility within the city. I will also ensure that studies are optimized to improve traffic flow and make our roads more motorable,” she said.
Buzeki also revealed plans to promote waste-to-energy solutions while conducting public education campaigns to encourage proper waste management practices.
On urban planning, Buzeki committed to strengthening the urban planning directorate and improving response times for building permit requests. “Delays in acquiring permits must be addressed to enhance service delivery,” she noted.
To combat corruption, one of KCCA’s longstanding challenges, Buzeki outlined plans to leverage technology. “We will automate all processes to enhance efficiency and minimize physical interactions with service seekers,” she explained.
Concerns from City Leaders
Kawempe Division Mayor Emanuel Sserunjogi expressed skepticism about the potential for transformative changes, citing the lack of power devolution to division authorities. “Without empowering divisions to address their issues directly, significant change may remain elusive,” he said.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago highlighted governance challenges within KCCA. He criticized the lack of a clear chain of command and the existence of multiple power centers operating independently, leading to confusion and institutional paralysis.
“The budgetary constraints at KCCA further compound these challenges, limiting the potential for impactful reforms,” Lukwago added.
About Sharifa Buzeki
Hajat Sharifa Buzeki is an accomplished human resource practitioner with over 13 years of experience in both local and central government roles.
She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and Management, a postgraduate diploma in Human Resource Management, and a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU). Buzeki has also completed various professional courses, earning certifications in conflict management, leadership and change management, monitoring and evaluation, and facilitation skills, among others.
Her diverse expertise includes human resource auditing, institutional development, and performance management, making her well-equipped to handle the challenges at KCCA.
Buzeki’s tenure begins amid high expectations for improved service delivery and governance in Uganda’s capital city.
