I’m Tough on the Lazy and Corrupt – Sharifah Buzeki

Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki has officially taken over as the Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), pledging to transform the city and tackle its long-standing challenges. Speaking during her swearing-in ceremony, Buzeki described Kampala as a “city of great potential” and outlined her vision for its development.

Top of her agenda, Buzeki noted will be addressing the waste management crisis. She vowed to prioritize the acquisition of land for a modernized waste management system, adopting new models and methods to reduce pressure on the landfill. 

“We will fight the battle and acquire land, but we must adopt new models and develop methods to reduce pressure on the landfill,” she said.

She added, “I am hearing statements from all over that I am tough. Well, that would be an accurate description of me only to those who aren’t willing to work and the lazy. I won’t tolerate any form of laziness and corruption.” 

Buzeki’s appointment comes after the ouster of her predecessor, Dorothy Kisaka, following the Kiteezi landfill tragedy that claimed 32 lives in August 2024. The new KCCA boss acknowledged the challenges facing the city, including garbage disposal, traffic congestion, and corruption.

She vowed to strengthen the urban planning department, improve response times to complaints, digitizing public transport, regulating public spaces, and combating corruption. She also emphasized the importance of working harmoniously with the political team led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.

Buzeki’s deputy, Benon Moses Kigenyi, was sworn in alongside her, following successful vetting by the Public Service Commission. The duo takes over from Frank Rusa, who served as acting ED of KCCA after Kisaka’s ouster.

Rusa reflected on his interim tenure, stating that the institution had been reasonably stabilized. 

However, he highlighted several critical challenges facing the city, including resolving the crisis at Busega Market, finding a sustainable solution for the issue of street children, and ensuring that the governance of Kampala meets the expectations of its residents.