KCCA Unveils Major Reforms to Transform Kampala Into a Cleaner and More Organized City

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced wide-ranging reforms aimed at restoring trade order, improving infrastructure, strengthening urban management, and transforming Kampala into a cleaner, safer, and more organized city.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday, KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki said the Authority is implementing coordinated interventions focused on trade regulation, infrastructure rehabilitation, environmental management, transport reforms, and urban compliance enforcement.

Buzeki explained that the initiatives are guided by the Kampala Capital City Act, 2010, which mandates KCCA to regulate, plan, and maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized capital city.

According to KCCA, ongoing enforcement operations that followed a government directive issued on February 5, 2026, and enforced beginning February 19, 2026, have significantly improved order and functionality across Kampala.

The Authority said the operations have led to the removal of illegal obstructions, restoration of pedestrian walkways, improved road access, and rehabilitation of public spaces.

Major business areas within the Central Business District, including Luwum Street, Namirembe Road, Ben Kiwanuka Street, Nakivubo Road, and Allen Road, were highlighted as areas where order has greatly improved.

KCCA also reported progress in trading centres across the city, including Kalerwe-Bwaise in Kawempe Division; Kibuye, Kansanga, Kabalagala, Bunga, and Munyonyo in Makindye Division; Busega, Natete, Kabuusu, and Ndeeba in Lubaga Division; as well as Ntinda, Kiwatule, and Luzira in Nakawa Division.

The Authority added that roads are being remarked and repainted, drainage channels repaired and desilted, manholes resealed, streetlights restored, and green spaces rehabilitated.

KCCA said these interventions are already improving mobility, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing safety for road users.

The Authority also revealed a significant rise in business and local revenue collection.

Between February 19 and April 27, 2026, KCCA registered 22,909 new business licenses worth Shs5.07 billion, compared to 15,628 licenses worth Shs3.9 billion recorded during the same period beginning December 2025.

KCCA described the 146 percent increase as a sign of growing business formalization and improved revenue mobilization.

Buzeki further revealed that KCCA has established a dedicated team to engage property owners and managers with outstanding arrears, warning that enforcement action allowed under the law will be taken against defaulters.

“These resources are critical for sustaining service delivery and advancing city development,” she said, urging those with unpaid dues to clear their balances promptly.

The Authority also disclosed that concerns surrounding trade order enforcement operations were presented to Cabinet on April 27, 2026, where government reaffirmed that the measures are “non-negotiable” and must continue.

KCCA stressed that all traders must operate strictly within gazetted markets, arcades, and designated trading areas.

“Any return to illegal street vending or encroachment on public spaces will be addressed firmly in accordance with the law,” Buzeki warned.

The Authority noted that thousands of trading spaces have been created in both public and private markets to support traders through structured alternatives.

Out of the 2,520 workspaces announced in November 2025, 1,663 are already occupied, leaving 857 spaces still available as of April 30, 2026.

KCCA also revealed that unused workspaces, including 107 stalls in Busega Market that have remained vacant for more than 90 days, are being reallocated under the Markets Act, 2023.

Beginning June 1, 2026, KCCA said enforcement of urban frontage improvement and compliance standards will commence across the city.

Property owners, developers, and business operators have been directed to maintain their premises through paving, painting, greening, cleanliness, and avoiding encroachment on road reserves and environmentally sensitive areas.

Buzeki emphasized that the directive is mandatory under Section 57 of the Physical Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The law criminalizes failure to paint buildings, lack of litter bins, littering public spaces, failure to display street signage, obstruction of enforcement officers, and misuse of spaces that undermine proper physical planning.

KCCA also cited illegal developments in road reserves under the Roads Act, 2019, as well as construction in environmentally sensitive areas regulated by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

Failure to comply may result in fines, imprisonment, closure of premises, or other lawful enforcement measures.

“This initiative aims to restore pride, dignity, and shared responsibility in Kampala,” Buzeki said.

In another major development, KCCA announced that government has authorized Kiira Motors Corporation to begin operating electric buses in Kampala under a pilot project aimed at improving urban mobility.

The buses are currently undergoing road testing ahead of deployment along two circular routes by the end of May 2026.

The pilot project will involve eight electric buses operating along routes connecting Constitutional Square, Lugogo, Nakawa, Ntinda-Bukoto, Kamwokya, and Wandegeya before returning to Constitutional Square. A second route will begin from Mabirizi and move in reverse order.

KCCA said the initiative is expected to improve connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner air through sustainable public transport.

The Authority also reiterated ongoing reforms targeting boda boda and taxi operations.

Boda boda riders are being formalized through designated stages, rider registration, and enforcement of approved operating points, while taxis are being directed to use gazetted parks and terminals instead of roadside stages.

KCCA urged the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation and other transport operators to embrace mass transit reforms, describing public transportation as “the future of a cleaner, safer, and more livable Kampala.”

The Authority further announced strengthened enforcement of environmental and noise pollution standards in collaboration with NEMA.

According to KCCA, noise levels in busy urban areas must not exceed 75 decibels during daytime and 50 decibels at night, while residential areas are subject to stricter limits.

Businesses and entertainment venues that violate the standards risk losing their operating licenses.

KCCA also provided an update on efforts to rescue unattended children from city streets.

Over the past three months, the Authority said it has rescued 365 children, including 163 boys and 202 girls, and transferred them to Masulita Children’s Home for counselling, treatment, skills training, school enrolment, and family reintegration.

Some of the children reportedly received antenatal care due to early pregnancies.

KCCA said 193 children were later transferred to Napak District, where 183 were enrolled at Ladoi Primary School.

Additionally, 12 parents — including 10 women and two men — have appeared before court over alleged negligence.

The Authority advised the public against giving money to street children, warning that the practice encourages unsafe street life and exposes children to exploitation and abuse.

Caretakers were also urged to seek treatment for sick individuals from government health facilities rather than bringing them onto city streets.

Among the latest infrastructure developments, KCCA announced the groundbreaking of a 9.1-kilometre road project connecting Mpererwe through Kiteezi to Kiti.

The project is funded by the African Development Bank and is being implemented by China Communication Construction Company, with MBW Consulting Engineers serving as supervising consultants.

KCCA said the road project is expected to improve mobility and livelihoods in the area and is scheduled for completion within 18 months.

Buzeki said the broader reforms reflect KCCA’s long-term vision of transforming Kampala into a vibrant, attractive, livable, and sustainable city built on responsibility, compliance, and shared urban standards.