Kampala Lord Mayor Erais Lukwago declares war on deputy ED Luyimbaazi over old KCCA vehicle

By Whisper Eye Investigative Unit

A fresh row has erupted at Kampala Capital City Authority between Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Eng. David Luyimbazi Ssali the Deputy Executive Director stemming from a KCCA Land Rover which Lukwago refused to handover when he received a new car V8 Mpenkoni.

During a heated Special Council meeting on Monday 18, December, the Lord Mayor publicly declared war on Luyimbazi in his face. Lukwago’s utterances followed the Deputy ED’s explanations to the Authority council regarding the ongoing evictions along Munyonyo-Gaba road in preparation for the Non-Aligned movement (NAM)summit due next year. “I am putting you on notice Mr. Luyimbazi, the last public function i met with you was at Counsel Sam Muyizi’s late father’s last funeral rites in Lwengo and i spared you then but swear to teach you a valuable lesson next time i meet you in public.” Lukwago shouted before walking out of the meeting.
It’s unprecedented that a Lord Mayor can openly threaten to carryout mob justice on a government worker for doing his job.

Early this year, government purchased a brand new Land Cruiser V8 for Lukwago at a whooping 800M shillings replacing the Land Rover Discovery that was aquired for him when he took office in 2011 also brand new.
Additionally, Lukwago is accorded a Double Cabin pick-up vehicle to carry his security detail.

The said KCCA Land Rover Discovery UBL 048R has been spotted at different supermarkets and swimming pools driving Lukwago kids especially on weekends although Lukwago in his response to Luyimbazi’s letter claims it was parked at his home.

Lukwago, but a lawyer we contacted wondered whether Lukwago, a lawyer himself wasn’t aware that no individual on his own has a right/power to preserve any item as monument but the Ministry of tourism which also decides a gazated place for the same.

Luyimbazi insists that Lukwago must return the Land Rover in his possession so that it is given to other officers as per the institution’s known practice. A case in point is the vehicle formerly used by former ED Jenifer Musis which is now driven by one of the Directors.

It should be noted that according to the KCCA Act, political leaders including the Authority Speaker and Deputy Lord Mayor should be given vehicles which they haven’t received to date due to budget constraints according to KCCA and hopes to give improvise with used cars like the one in Lukwago’s possession.

After his exit from the chambers, the meeting proceeded peacefully and Luyimbazi seemed to respond satisfactorily to all the councillors queries especially Ssendi Mosh Africa who had tabled a petition to council on the said evictions.

At the end of the meeting, Luyimbazi raised the issue of his safety following Lukwago’s public declaration but the speaker Zaharah Luyirika told him to handle his issues with Lukwago, and that as council they are not involved.

One of the KCCA Councillors, Hon. Nusifa Nakato asked Lukwago to stop pulling council in his silly games and handover the government vehicle. The councillors decried Lukwago’s selfishness and wondered where he got the audacity to confiscate a government vehicle. “Lukwago must be receiving protection from above, otherwise I don’t think a serious opposition leaning person can confiscate a government vehicle.” Said another councillor who requested anonymity.

It remains to be seen if Lukwago will finally handover the vehicle or retain it as a souvenir the way he took home the KCCA Speaker’s Chair he used to seat in when he doubled as Speaker before the KCCA Amendment Act that created the position of an independent Speaker of the Authority.
Some sources claim that the reason Lukwago keeps these items is for some traditional rituals.