Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has renewed its call for stronger financial backing from government, saying more funding is needed to protect and expand the visible changes taking place in the city. Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Presidential Affairs, KCCA’s top leadership led by Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki highlighted progress made so far and explained why additional resources are now critical.
The Authority reported steady improvements in key areas such as road rehabilitation, waste collection, trade order and general service delivery. According to KCCA, these efforts have brought relative calm to the city, eased movement and improved the daily experience of residents, workers and visitors who rely on Kampala every day.
To keep this momentum going, KCCA has requested an extra UGX 200 billion in the FY 2026/2027 budget. The Authority said the funds would support continued road works, modernization of waste management systems, strengthening of public health services, expansion of street lighting, and upgrading of markets and schools that serve thousands of city users.
Hajjat Buzeki told legislators that Kampala’s rapidly growing population is placing increasing pressure on infrastructure and social services. She noted that without sustained investment, it would be difficult to deliver efficient, people-centered solutions in a city that supports millions of livelihoods and economic activities daily.KCCA’s current approved budget for FY 2025/2026 stands at UGX 955.93 billion.
By the end of the second quarter, UGX 460.3 billion had been released, while UGX 256 billion had been absorbed. Management explained that lower absorption was largely due to delays in issuing completion certificates for major projects such as the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program.Despite these challenges, KCCA said it has continued to deliver essential services. Parliamentary Committee Chairperson Alex Byarugaba commended the Authority for maintaining order and stability in the city, noting that Kampala has remained calm. He urged residents to protect public infrastructure and support ongoing development efforts.Waste management emerged as a major concern, with KCCA stressing that it should be treated as a public utility.
Currently, more than 100 parishes depend on just 30 garbage trucks, overstretching collection capacity. The Authority has secured land and is seeking funds to invest in waste-to-value systems, landfill equipment and additional trucks. At the same time, the pay rise for over 4,000 city cleaners to UGX 10,000 has created a UGX 6 billion funding gap.KCCA also highlighted rising costs linked to road maintenance, public safety and health services. New roads require constant cleaning, thousands of additional street lights are needed—especially in Rubaga Division—and health facilities are operating with less than half of the required staff.
Plans are also underway to construct a city mortuary at an estimated cost of UGX 20 billion. With markets, schools and public buildings aging and vandalism increasing maintenance expenses, KCCA and the Minister for Kampala Affairs, Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, appealed for sustained investment to secure Kampala’s future as a safe, healthy and inclusive capital.
