The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has launched a sweeping enforcement campaign aimed at transforming the face of Uganda’s capital, placing property owners and business operators under intense pressure to clean up, repaint and properly maintain their premises. City officials say the move is part of a broader effort to restore order, beauty and professionalism within Kampala’s rapidly growing urban environment.
Speaking on Wednesday, KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki announced that all building owners and businesses must immediately improve the condition of their frontages. The directive requires property owners to pave surrounding spaces, repaint worn-out structures, plant greenery, maintain sanitation standards and avoid illegal occupation of road reserves or protected environmental zones.
According to city authorities, inspection teams will begin moving across Kampala this week to identify buildings and commercial premises that fail to meet the required standards. The teams are expected to engage landlords and operators directly before forwarding cases of non-compliance to enforcement units for action.KCCA warned that the crackdown will not be symbolic, stressing that individuals who ignore the directives risk facing severe penalties. Authorities revealed that sanctions could include heavy fines, imprisonment or closure of business premises beginning June 1, 2026, as enforcement enters a stricter phase.
The campaign is backed by Section 57 of the Physical Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020, which makes it an offence for property owners to neglect painting buildings, fail to provide litter bins, refuse to display street name signage or ignore lawful instructions issued by urban authorities. The law also criminalises obstruction of enforcement officers and illegal developments in road reserves or environmentally sensitive areas.Officials say Kampala has for years struggled with deteriorating infrastructure, unkempt buildings, littering and uncontrolled developments, especially within the central business district.
Authorities believe the renewed operation will help restore the city’s image while improving compliance with physical planning and urban management regulations.Beyond buildings and sanitation, KCCA also disclosed plans to tighten control over city transport operations, particularly the boda boda sector.
The authority intends to formalise motorcycle taxi activities through designated stages, mandatory rider registration and stricter monitoring of operating locations to reduce disorder on city streets.City leaders insist the reforms are necessary to create a cleaner, safer and more organised Kampala that reflects the standards of a modern capital city. With enforcement teams preparing to intensify inspections, property owners and businesses now face mounting pressure to act quickly or risk facing the full force of the law.
