Minister Amongi hits back at Lord Mayor over the new law

By Olivia Nabaggala

7^th Feb 2020

The Minister for Kampala Betty Amongi has refuted allegations circulated by the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and a section of councilors that there are contradicting clauses in the new Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) law.

According to the Lukwago, within the new KCCA Act there are some contravening clauses that vests powers in the office of the Executive Director to present and prepare the Authority budget again empower the Executive Committee headed by the Lord Mayor to do the same.

Speaking to the press at the Uganda Media Centre Amongi noted that the cited clauses in the new law the role of the Executive Committee headed by the Lord Mayor is to present the authority budget to the council and then offer the Executive Director to provide technical support to the Executive Committee.

Amongi also clarified on Section 21 which the Lord Mayor quoting of have not been passed by parliament but smuggled into the law after, saying that the Lord Mayor should petition the constitutional court against his allegations.

Section 21 of the new KCCA Act, vests powers into the office of the Minister for Kampala to jointly with other ministries coordinate the physical planning exercises in the city.

Section 14 (b) of the KCCA Act empowers the executive committee led by the Lord Mayor to implement council programs and decisions, monitor sector performance and report to council, present annual budget of the authority to council among others.

The new law abolished councilors representing professional bodies such as lawyers and engineers among others under section 6 of the act and Minister Amongi assured the public that government will use various measures to ensure that these are compensated for their remaining period.