Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 1,220
- 672
Outgoing Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has officially handed over office to his successor Ronald Balimwezo, bringing to an end a dramatic 15-year reign at City Hall marked by political battles, legal fights and governance disputes.
📸: Elias Lukwago bidding farewell to the people of Kampala yesterday at City Hall
In his farewell address at City Hall on Monday, Lukwago described his tenure as “tumultuous” but guided by principles of accountability, social justice and protecting the interests of Kampala residents. He blamed many of the challenges on the KCCA Act, arguing that it created overlapping powers between elected leaders and technocrats while giving the central government excessive control over city affairs.
Lukwago, who became Kampala’s first Lord Mayor under the KCCA structure in 2011, reflected on years of clashes with KCCA executive directors, disputes over markets and urban planning, and continuous confrontations with the central government. Despite the tensions, he defended his legacy, saying he fought to protect public assets such as Nakasero Market, Park Yard Market and Nakivubo Channel from what he termed “elite cartels.”
He also pointed to corruption, flooding, poor urban planning and underfunding as key obstacles that affected efforts to modernize Kampala. Before leaving office, Lukwago called for reforms to the KCCA Act, increased funding for the capital and improvements in roads, drainage systems, health facilities and waste management.
Balimwezo now takes over leadership of Kampala at a time when the city continues to struggle with rapid urbanisation, traffic congestion, flooding and governance wrangles. The new Lord Mayor is expected to face pressure to improve service delivery while navigating the complex political structure of KCCA.
Source: Daily Monitor UG
In his farewell address at City Hall on Monday, Lukwago described his tenure as “tumultuous” but guided by principles of accountability, social justice and protecting the interests of Kampala residents. He blamed many of the challenges on the KCCA Act, arguing that it created overlapping powers between elected leaders and technocrats while giving the central government excessive control over city affairs.
Lukwago, who became Kampala’s first Lord Mayor under the KCCA structure in 2011, reflected on years of clashes with KCCA executive directors, disputes over markets and urban planning, and continuous confrontations with the central government. Despite the tensions, he defended his legacy, saying he fought to protect public assets such as Nakasero Market, Park Yard Market and Nakivubo Channel from what he termed “elite cartels.”
He also pointed to corruption, flooding, poor urban planning and underfunding as key obstacles that affected efforts to modernize Kampala. Before leaving office, Lukwago called for reforms to the KCCA Act, increased funding for the capital and improvements in roads, drainage systems, health facilities and waste management.
Balimwezo now takes over leadership of Kampala at a time when the city continues to struggle with rapid urbanisation, traffic congestion, flooding and governance wrangles. The new Lord Mayor is expected to face pressure to improve service delivery while navigating the complex political structure of KCCA.
Source: Daily Monitor UG
