As the curtain fell on 2023, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) marked the year with pride, reflecting on notable milestones while laying out bold priorities for 2024. Speaking at a year-end press briefing at City Hall on December 21, Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka said the Authority is determined to turn Kampala into a smoother, more organized and resilient city in the coming year.Kisaka announced that eliminating potholes will be a top priority in 2024, describing the long-standing problem as something the city is ready to consign to history. She said KCCA’s focus will be on accelerated road works, smarter planning and sustained investment to ensure safer and more reliable mobility for residents and visitors alike.Looking back at 2023, Kisaka highlighted achievements that have strengthened Kampala’s position locally and internationally. Chief among them was KCCA’s win of the prestigious Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation, earned through the Weyonje App. The digital platform has attracted global recognition for using technology to improve sanitation and hygiene, especially in informal settlements.Economic empowerment also featured strongly in KCCA’s 2023 scorecard, with UGX 9.2 billion disbursed under the Parish Development Model. The funding supported beneficiaries across the city as part of a wider national effort to lift millions of Ugandans out of poverty and strengthen household incomes.Major strides were made in infrastructure development through the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project, funded by the African Development Bank. More than 40 roads are being worked on, with completed sections such as Kabega Road, Spring Road, Old Portbell Road, Salama Road, Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road and several city streets already easing traffic and reducing damage caused by persistent potholes.To improve traffic management, KCCA also commenced construction of a modern Traffic Control Centre at City Hall with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The project includes the signalisation of 27 junctions across the city and is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and road safety once completed.Preparations for hosting the Non-Aligned Movement and G77+China summits have further accelerated city upgrades, with works ongoing on key roads and major drainage crossings. Kisaka noted that more than 75 percent of the related projects are already complete, positioning Kampala to host the high-level international meetings with confidence.Despite the progress, Kisaka acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly flooding linked to poor waste disposal and encroachment on wetlands. She called on residents and property owners to play their part by keeping the city clean, maintaining drainage channels and improving the appearance of their premises. She also thanked compliant taxpayers and partners such as UNDP, PSFU, Absa Uganda and Standard Chartered Bank for their continued support, reaffirming KCCA’s commitment to building a smarter, cleaner and more livable Kampala in 2024.
