Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo has said he is ready to work closely with the technical leadership of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), including officials appointed by President Museveni, saying cooperation is necessary to improve service delivery in the capital.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Bbeg Media, Balimwezo said he cannot fulfil his mandate without working with the KCCA Executive Director and other technical officials.
“How do you expect me to fulfil my work without working with the executive director and other directors to serve the people of Kampala?” he asked. [WATCH VIDEO]
Balimwezo said he wants to change the mindset of Ugandans who believe that working with officials appointed by the President is a sign of political compromise.
He said the technical team plays a critical role in running the city and that cooperation is essential for the benefit of Kampala residents.
He explained that under the KCCA structure, the city’s budget must be prepared, approved and defended in collaboration with the Minister for Kampala, the KCCA executive director and other technical officers before it can be implemented.
According to Balimwezo, his administration will work with the central government to address the major service delivery challenges affecting residents across Kampala’s five divisions of Kampala Central, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa, and Lubaga.
He also warned contractors against delivering substandard work on government-funded projects, saying his office will carry out regular inspections, especially on road construction projects, to ensure that taxpayers receive value for money.
“My focus is on service delivery first, not money,” he said.
Balimwezo also urged young people to equip themselves with the skills required for employment instead of relying on recommendations from politicians.
He said he will not entertain requests from people seeking jobs without the necessary qualifications, adding that young people should prepare themselves to compete fairly in the job market.
