KCCA LAUNCHES SMART CITY VILLAGE AMBASSADORS FORUM TO TRANSFORM KAMPALA

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has launched the Kampala Smart City Village Ambassadors Forum, an initiative designed to aid the transformation Kampala into a modern, efficient metropolis.

Themed "Promoting the Smart City Agenda for Effective Service Delivery," the launch event took place at Kitante Primary School on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in encouraging community involvement in the city's development.

The Smart City Ambassadors are voluntary, patriotic community members drawn from Kampala's five divisions: Kawempe, Rubaga, Makindye, Nakawa, and Central Division.

These ambassadors represent a novel approach to urban management, emphasizing grassroots involvement and collective responsibility to ensure the provision of quality services across the city.

Dorothy Kisaka, the Executive Director of KCCA, underscored the importance of the Kampala Smart City Village Ambassadors Forum in empowering residents to actively participate in the city's development.

"Our goal is to transform Kampala into a more efficient, livable, and sustainable city," Kisaka stated. "With 857 villages in Kampala, these ambassadors will serve as the eyes and ears of KCCA within their communities, maintaining cleanliness, promoting safe neighborhoods, and fostering responsible waste management among others."

In a passionate call to action, Kisaka urged all residents to embrace the Smart City agenda and become ambassadors of this transformative vision.

"This is a voluntary call. If you want to see the city clean and growing, be a smart city ambassador. We are all building a smart city together," she emphasized.

Kisaka also highlighted that while this initiative transcends political lines, it aligns with the NRM government's manifesto for 2021-2026, which aims at transforming Kampala and Uganda at large.

Kisaka commended the government for its financial support, which has been crucial in developing the city.

"The government has provided us with more funding to build roads and support various projects within the city," she noted, emphasizing the need for comprehensive development to meet the needs of Kampala's growing population.

She stressed the vital role of community participation in realizing the smart city vision, saying, "The city is big, and we need everyone’s involvement."

Elaborating on the pillars underpinning the smart city concept, Kisaka identified three core areas: Technology, Infrastructure, and People’s Well-being. These pillars aim to integrate modern technology, enhance infrastructural development, and improve the overall quality of life for Kampala’s residents.

Maureen Tumusiime, the Deputy Mayor of the Central Division, expressed enthusiasm about the newly launched forum.

"We are thrilled about this forum's launch. It represents a significant innovation in community engagement and urban management," Tumusiime said.

The event at Kitante Primary School highlighted the importance of community-driven development and the potential for significant positive change when residents actively shape their urban environment.

By Geoffrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer