Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has stepped up its community empowerment drive in Makindye Division, handing over gumboots to hundreds of Village Health Team (VHT) members in a move aimed at strengthening frontline public health service delivery. The initiative forms part of KCCA’s wider campaign to build civic competence and reinforce community-based leadership across the city.At least 400 VHTs received new pairs of gumboots during a large engagement held at Nsambya Sharing Hall, an event that drew more than 1,275 VHT members alongside 23 Local Council II chairpersons from across the division. The gathering highlighted KCCA’s continued focus on working through grassroots structures to improve service delivery and accountability.KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, who led the engagement, praised VHTs for their dedication and described them as the backbone of community health. She emphasized that government programs can only succeed when citizens are well informed and actively involved, noting that VHTs play a vital role in reaching households that formal structures often cannot easily access.Buzeki stressed that VHTs are essential in identifying service gaps and relaying community concerns to the authority. She encouraged them to speak up about challenges affecting residents, saying collaboration through existing government structures allows KCCA and communities to tackle urban problems collectively and more effectively.She also urged VHTs to guide communities on responsible celebrations during the festive season and revealed plans to assign them additional responsibilities due to the limited reach of parish-level structures. Buzeki assured participants that KCCA’s support would go beyond the current distribution, with more protective equipment planned for the teams.Senior Presidential Private Secretary Miriam Namayanja commended KCCA for bringing government services closer to the people, applauding VHTs for their selfless contribution to disease prevention, hygiene and sanitation. She acknowledged their patriotism and commitment, particularly given that they serve on a voluntary basis.Makindye Division VHT Coordinator Sserwada Wilkinson welcomed the support, saying the equipment would strengthen community health interventions. Local leaders also echoed this sentiment, with Wabigalo Parish LC II Chairperson Elaijah Owubisingye noting that strong grassroots patriotism is key to effective service delivery.During the engagement, KCCA officials presented the Service Delivery Standards and Client Charter, outlining citizens’ rights, access to services and complaint procedures. They also shared details of the authority’s Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30, reinforcing KCCA’s commitment to inclusive development, accountability and resilient urban growth as the outreach continues across city divisions.
