Three days following the abrupt termination of Dorothy Kisaka from her position at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) as the technical head, President Yoweri Museveni appointed prominent city lawyer Frank Rusa Nyakana to replace her in an acting capacity.
Kisaka, the former Executive Director of KCCA, was dismissed alongside her deputy, Eng. David Luyimbabzi, and the Director of Public Health, Dr. Daniel Okello, due to the Kiteezi Landfill catastrophe that resulted in the loss of more than 35 lives, with 28 individuals still unaccounted for.
The recent report from the Inspector General of Government (IGG) cites negligence as a key factor.
It is claimed that multiple reports were generated highlighting the dangers posed by accumulated garbage, however, Kisaka and her team reportedly failed to take any appropriate action.
This inaction led to the collapse of garbage mounds, which buried homes and caused significant damage to property, as well as resulting in fatalities.
Despite their unceremonial dismissal, President Museveni instructed the Criminal Investigation Directorate and various intelligence management agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The President further instructed the Public Service Commission to announce the vacancies for the roles of Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Director of Public Health, with a mandate to appoint new officials within a three-month timeframe.
He also assigned the Minister for Kampala the responsibility of advising him (President) on the temporary appointments for these positions, ensuring that the operations of KCCA remain uninterrupted until permanent successors are appointed.
Rusa’s appointment
Rusa’s appointment was officially confirmed in a letter from the Presidency today, September 26, 2024, and is anticipated to commence duties without delay.
“You are hereby assigned the duties of Executive Director. You will hold the post until a substantive office holder is appointed by the Appointing Authority,” the read the letter.
The terms and conditions will stipulate the requirement to submit quarterly reports to the Head of Public Service, the Secretary to the Cabinet, and the Minister responsible for KCCA, while maintaining the position until a substantive office holder is appointed.
A lawyer, and democrat
Rusa, is a seasoned lawyer and leader with over 20 years of experience in governance, law, and public service, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Makerere University, a postgraduate diploma from the Law Development Centre in Kampala, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University.
Prior to his appointment, Rusa served as Executive Secretary of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), where he facilitated crucial discussions among presidents and secretaries general of political parties to build consensus on pertinent issues.
He also served as Country Representative of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), promoting dialogue among and between political actors for consensus building on matters of national development and peaceful co-existence.
As Programme Manager for Deepening Democracy at the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), Rusa led initiatives to strengthen civic engagement in democratic processes, collaborating closely with civil society organizations and state institutions. At DGF, the largest multi-donor fund dedicated to supporting democratic governance in Africa, Rusa worked tirelessly to promote democratic values.
Between 2003 and 2006, Rusa headed the Legal and Public Relations Department at the Uganda Electoral Commission, playing a critical role in guiding the institution and the Government of Uganda in its transition from “no party” politics to multiparty politics in 2005. During his tenure, he provided expert legal advice and representation to the Commission.
Additionally, Rusa served as Director of Legal Affairs at KCCA, leading a comprehensive program of legal services that supported virtually every facet of the Authority’s work. He directed the Directorate of Legal Affairs, guiding the Authority’s decision-makers with a clear view of all their lawful options and proactive counsel.
Rusa’s expertise extends to facilitating high-level dialogues, leading civic engagement initiatives, and community organizing and team building. His commitment to advancing democratic governance and human rights is evident in his previous roles.
In 2012, Rusa attended the prestigious Draper-Hills Democracy fellowship at Stanford University.
He was also a Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy in 2013.
