KAMPALA RESIDENTS EMPOWERED TO DEMAND BETTER SERVICES

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is taking a hands-on approach to civic engagement, bringing key information about city services and governance directly to residents in an effort to strengthen transparency and accountability.

On Tuesday, KCCA officials met with more than 500 Local Council II chairpersons and Village Health Team members from Central Division at Bat Valley Primary School. The session is part of a citywide initiative to improve civic competence and empower communities to demand better services.

During the meeting, participants received the KCCA Service Delivery Standards and the Client Charter. These documents outline the services residents are entitled to, whether they are free or paid for, how to access them, and the proper channels for complaints or appeals.

Officials also introduced the authority’s five-year Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30, which details priorities for infrastructure development, urban planning, inclusivity, and resilience.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki said the authority is deliberately investing in civic competence to strengthen transparency and the demand side of accountability.

“When citizens understand our standards and responsibilities, they are in a better position to hold us accountable for both our action and what we fail to do,” she said.

The Central Division meeting is the first of five planned sessions across the city, with similar engagements scheduled to conclude by the end of the week. Each session will bring together local leaders and Village Health Team members to ensure communities are informed about their rights and the city’s commitments.

William Epiak the KCCA Deputy Director Strategy Management and Business Development said the initiative marks a shift from traditional top-down communication to a more participatory approach, where residents are considered active partners in improving city services.

The outreach is intended to help communities track service delivery, understand city plans, and engage directly with the administration in addressing local challenges.

“This kind of engagement is essential,” said one LCII chairperson who attended the meeting. “It gives us clarity on what services we can access and how we can push for better results in our villages.”

The authority hopes that by going directly to the grassroots, residents will become better informed and more involved in shaping the city’s future, ensuring that accountability and service delivery are no longer confined to city offices.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer