Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Buganda Kingdom have renewed their commitment to working together on key issues affecting the development and management of Kampala.

The commitment was reaffirmed on Wednesday when KCCA’s political and technical leadership visited the Buganda Kingdom headquarters at Bulange, Mengo, where they held discussions with Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga.

The KCCA delegation was led by Lord Mayor Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo and KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki. It included the Deputy Lord Mayor, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the council, Division Mayors, City Executive Committee members, councillors and senior KCCA directors.

The visit also provided an opportunity for Balimwezo to make a courtesy call to the Katikkiro following his election. He was accompanied by his wife, Rachel Balimwezo.

Mayiga congratulated the newly elected city leaders and stressed the importance of cooperation between the Kingdom and KCCA in improving services and infrastructure across Kampala.

He welcomed KCCA’s ongoing road construction projects and the development of markets, noting that major infrastructure works can cause temporary disruption to residents but remain necessary for the city's long-term growth.

“Thank you for constructing roads. It affects us, but we appreciate,” Mayiga said.

He also welcomed the construction of organized markets, saying properly planned trading spaces can improve conditions for vendors while making it easier for city residents to access goods and services.

The Katikkiro further urged KCCA to maintain efforts to regulate street trading and called for faster reforms in Kampala’s public transport system.

He encouraged the authority to remain firm in implementing measures intended to bring greater order to the city's transport sector.

Waste management and cleanliness were also discussed during the meeting.

Mayiga pledged the Kingdom’s support for community-driven cleaning initiatives, including the National Cleaning Days, and encouraged households and businesses to separate waste at the point where it is generated.

He urged residents to use separate containers for organic waste, inorganic waste and plastics.

“We are ready to support you,” he said.

Mayiga also emphasized the importance of political leaders and technical officers working together, saying Kampala residents ultimately want reliable services and properly managed public infrastructure.

He pointed to roads, street lighting and other city amenities as areas where coordinated leadership could deliver better results.

Balimwezo thanked the Kabaka for allowing people to participate in the recent elections and acknowledged the Buganda Kingdom’s longstanding role in Kampala.

The Lord Mayor said Kampala's importance as Uganda's economic centre means its development should be treated as a national priority.

He said KCCA needs to work closely with Buganda when making decisions that affect the city.

“Kampala is the heart of Uganda and Buganda. We cannot build the Kampala we want without coming here to seek knowledge on how best to build the city,” Balimwezo said.

He described Buganda as Kampala’s largest landlord and argued that the Kingdom should therefore be involved in decisions concerning the city's development.

“You cannot transform Kampala without involving Buganda Kingdom,” he said.

Balimwezo proposed the creation of a KCCA-Buganda working group to improve coordination and provide a platform for the two institutions to jointly address Kampala’s development priorities.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki said the engagement reflected the authority's intention to establish a stronger and more consistent working relationship with the Buganda Kingdom.

She said many of KCCA’s activities are carried out on land belonging to or associated with Buganda, making cooperation essential to the success of city reforms.

“Whatever we do, we do it on the land of Buganda. Whatever we do, we have to move with the Kingdom and work with it to succeed on our reforms,” Buzeki said.

According to Buzeki, KCCA cannot effectively transform Kampala by operating independently from the Kingdom.

She cited cooperation on the implementation of the Trade Order as an example of how Buganda's support has helped KCCA pursue efforts aimed at restoring order in the city.

Buzeki also highlighted the development of markets including Ggaba, Usafi and Kamwokya, saying the facilities have contributed to improved conditions for traders.

She said Buganda has additionally supported KCCA’s road development programme by providing right of way for infrastructure projects affecting its land.

The KCCA executive director also acknowledged the Kingdom’s involvement in Bulungi Bwansi, which she said has supported efforts to improve cleanliness in Kampala.

Buzeki called for continued Buganda participation in the National Cleaning Days and other initiatives aimed at keeping the city clean.

The engagement between KCCA and Buganda comes as Kampala continues to face challenges related to infrastructure, public transport, street trading, waste management and urban cleanliness.

Both sides indicated that closer institutional cooperation will be important in addressing these challenges and supporting the city's long-term development.