Lukwago, LOP Betty Ochan Meet Over Contentious KCCA Amendment Bill

The Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago has Monday held a meeting with the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Betty Aol Ochan over the contentious Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Amendment Bill, 2015.

The Bill that was introduced in the House by the then Minister for Kampala, Frank Tumwebaze seeks to amend the KCCA Act, 2010, to streamline and strengthen the governance of the Capital City in accordance with article 5(4) of the Constitution.

The objective of the Bill is to provide for the Lord Mayor to be elected by the Council which is constituted by the councilors.

It also seeks to clarify the roles of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, to rationalize the provisions relating to the Metropolitan Physical Planning Authority with the structure and provisions relating to the Capital City Authority and to provide for related matters.

The Bill was last week scheduled to be on the order paper for its second reading but the debate couldn’t ensue as the opposition that was represented by Busiro East MP, Medard Ssegona requested for more time to allow members acquaint themselves with the contents of the Bill for substantive debate.

The Bill is expected to resurface on the floor of the House this week. This is what prompted the Leader of Opposition to summon some stakeholders for an informed position on the Bill.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting at Parliament, Mayor Lukwago noted that the gist of the meeting with LOP was to express his position on the Bill.

“We have been talking about the KCCA amendment Bill which seeks to overthrow the authority of the Lord Mayor as well as giving powers to the Minister for Kampala as a political head,” Lukwago said.

The Mayor said that the Bill intends to give the Minister executive powers which is contrary to the constitution that provides that executive powers must be vested in elected leaders.

Lukwago said however that the meeting did not last for long due to some reasons, but added that the public will soon be notified about whatever was discussed.