Lord Mayor Lukwago hails social media for city budget increase

East African Gazette

Kampala

The City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago on May 20 2024 told the press that the road exhibitions and planting of banana sacs by social media influencers led to the increase of the city budget.

The City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago addressing the press at his residence Wakaliga Rubaga division

Lukwago said one trillion budget allocated to the city is a clear indication that the social media influencers played a role.

“Do not give up City residence, keep the fire burning”, Lukwago said.

He however called up the technical team at City Hall to put the money to its intended use by working on the road network, setting up a proper drainage system for the dwellers.

“We want to put our colleagues on notice that they should improve the infrastructure, drainage system and fixing of potholes,” he said.

He was addressing the press on the budgetary allocations and delayed road works in the city at his residence in Wakaliga Rubaga division.

Lukwago highlighted the continued minimal allocations to the City of sh626bn, sh470bn, sh456bn, sh833bn, sh1134bn for financial years 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 respectively despite the city having a five-year Strategic Plan that requires an annual allocation of sh2.1 trillion to achieve the city’s transformation and development agenda.

He stated that despite the increase in the allocations from government for roads construction in the next financial year from sh46.9bn to sh166bn most of the amount is for covering contractor’s arrears.

Lukwago appreciated the development partners who included the World Bank and African Development Bank for the increased funding in the roads sector.

He also called on the Special Forces Command Construction Regiment (SFCCR) led by Kikoyogo Kigongo to show accountability on the road works so far done in the city since a Presidential directive.

“We are inviting this team to a City Executive Committee meeting on 29th May 2024 to account for the continued delays in pothole refilling and sectional repairs that was allocated to them for construction using KCCA funds through a Presidential directive,” he noted.

Lukwago told the media that KCCA has anticipated that by May 2024 road works of about 29,765 kilometers of roads in the city and its suburbs would be complete.

The press conference was attended by John Mary Sebuwufu, a member of the City Executive Committee, Olivia Namazzi woman councilor, Nakawa city Minister for Health, Environment, Education and Sports KCCA.