The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has inaugurated the Kampala Smart City Village Ambassadors Forum, a project to help convert Kampala into a modern, efficient metropolis.
The Kampala Smart City Ambassadors are volunteers and patriotic community members from Kampala’s five divisions: Kawempe, Rubaga, Makindye, Nakawa, and Central Division.
These ambassadors represent an innovative approach to urban administration, emphasizing grassroots participation and shared responsibility to ensure quality services throughout the city.
The launch event, which had as its theme “Promoting the Smart City Agenda for Effective Service Delivery,” was held on Saturday June 1, 2024 at Kitante Primary School and represented a critical turning point in the promotion of community involvement in the growth of the city.
Dorothy Kisaka, KCCA’s Executive Director underscored the value of the Kampala Smart City Village Ambassadors Forum in enabling locals to take an active role in the development of their community.
“Our goal is to transform Kampala into a more efficient, livable, and sustainable city,” Kisaka stated that, “With 857 villages in Kampala, these ambassadors will serve as the eyes and ears of KCCA within their communities, maintaining cleanliness, promoting safe neighborhoods, and fostering responsible waste management among others.”
Kisaka made a strong appeal for everyone to support the Smart City agenda and act as advocates for this revolutionary idea.
“This is a voluntary call. If you want to see the city clean and growing, be a smart city ambassador. We are all building a smart city together,” she emphasized.
Furthermore, Kisaka emphasized that although this project crosses political boundaries, it is consistent with the NRM government’s 2021–2026 agenda, which calls for the transformation of Kampala and Uganda as a whole. Kisaka commended the government for its financial assistance, which has been essential to the city’s development.
“The government has provided us with more funding to build roads and support various projects within the city,” she noted, emphasizing the need for comprehensive development to meet the needs of Kampala’s growing population.
She stressed the vital role of community participation in realizing the smart city vision, saying, “The city is big, and we need everyone’s involvement.” At the event Kisaka recognized three key factors that support the smart city concept: technology, infrastructure, and people’s well-being. These pillars aim to incorporate modern technologies, boost infrastructural development, and raise the general quality of life for Kampala people.
Maureen Tumusiime, Deputy Mayor of the Central Division, expressed support for the newly established forum. “We are quite excited about the forum’s launch. “It is a significant innovation in community engagement and urban management,” Tumusiime stated.
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The program at Kitante Primary School emphasized the value of community-driven development and the possibility for tremendous positive change when individuals actively create their urban environment.
