Kampala Capital City Authority Speaker John Mary Ssebuufu has urged Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to support the city through dialogue and influence rather than taking control of its roads budget. The newly elected speaker said Kampala’s leadership is open to working with Muhoozi but warned that government systems and legal procedures must be respected.
Speaking during an interview with NTV, Ssebuufu reacted to recent remarks by Muhoozi, who declared that the entire roads budget for Kampala should fall under his authority as Chief of Defence Forces. The comments sparked debate across the country after Muhoozi criticized the capital’s deteriorating roads, flooding and weak infrastructure.
Muhoozi had vowed to personally determine which contractors build and repair roads in Kampala, arguing that the city’s poor state demanded urgent intervention. His remarks were viewed by many as a direct challenge to KCCA’s mandate and authority over city management.
However, Ssebuufu firmly rejected the proposal, insisting that national institutions cannot operate based on personal declarations. He argued that Uganda’s governance system has established procedures that must be followed regardless of an individual’s influence or position in government.
Instead of taking over city operations, Ssebuufu called on Muhoozi to engage directly with KCCA leaders and councillors. He invited the UPDF chief to appear before the council and share his vision for Kampala while also listening to the city’s priorities and development plans.
The speaker emphasized that what Kampala truly needs is strong political backing and a louder voice before President Yoweri Museveni. According to Ssebuufu, Muhoozi is well positioned to push for greater attention to the capital since he has direct access to the president and understands the importance of transforming the city.
Ssebuufu also pointed out that many of Kampala’s key offices are already tied to the presidency, including the Minister for Kampala, the Executive Director and other senior officials responsible for managing the city budget. He argued that the real crisis facing KCCA is not leadership, but chronic underfunding.
He revealed that Kampala requires at least Shs2.4 trillion every year to fully improve roads, drainage systems and public services under its five-year development roadmap. Yet only about half of that amount has been allocated in the upcoming budget, leaving the city struggling to meet growing demands. Ssebuufu said Kampala deserves the same level of national priority and investment that government gives to sectors such as national defence.
