The debate on the future of the elected Mayor of Kampala has come full circle. A judge-led tribunal has found him unfit for office- according to news reports. Last night I was recounting to friends a little role I found myself playing unwittingly years ago when as a reporter I did the first stories to exposewidespread corruption in the opposition-dominated KCC ( Kampala City Council). A number of things stand out in the KCC-A/Lukwago story in retrospect. Politicians make terrible managers Lukwago included but technocrats likewise require supervision through representatives of the people. In a growing city, Kampala today is turning into a concrete jungle. Crime is rising and the divide between poorer residents and wealthier ones is probably irreversible. Poverty is now the political society of the disadvantaged. A KCCA that is not sensitive to this will build a city of two Uganda’s.
Since communities are not made of brick and stone- elected but competent leaders must be sought to lead the city. But more important is for the process of building a great city to involve its most disadvantaged who have the most stake in its progress. The Lukwago report here is a political process am not convinced reflects an attempt to build the Kampala we want from what I have heard about it.
I have not read it but you can, and make up your own mind. Thank you to the individual who provided us the opportunity so early.
