Kampala as best city

Challenges ahead

He warns Kampala not to land in the same ditch and lists areas that need to be fixed, including decentralisation of economic activity across the city’s five divisions in what he calls “mini-towns.”

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) appears to be working on it. In 2016, it hosted an international debate on “What Policies would make Kampala a Great 21st Century City?”  Paul Collier, the renowned professor of economics and public policy and director of the International Growth Centre was the main speaker. He said making Kampala work requires massive investments in residential, commercial, and industrial structures, and infrastructure.

The French journalist Grilhot agrees. He wants more sidewalks and places without pollution or traffic jam.

“It is very complex and sometimes dangerous to walk alongside roads. So I am forced to take a bodaboda even for a short distance,” he says.

He says if Kampala wants to attract more tourists or expatriates, KCCA needs to create an interior which is quiet, green and vast park just like the Central Park in New York.

Such a place already exists in Kampala, he says, “it is called the Kampala Golf Course, but it is forbidden for most residents. It only benefits a few rich people.” He says transforming the Golf Course into a big park would make Kampala a less stressful city where family members can stroll about during weekends.

Grilhot also says he finds it interesting that Kampala has an asset it does not use at all—Lake Victoria. It would be nice if KCCA set up lakeside walks to allow people to come to rest on weekends.

Meanwhile Kampala is growing fast and needs to invest in better public services in the poorest communities – particularly roads, drainage, and electricity.

“I think Kampala has more potential; there is so much Kampala can be but it is not yet there,” says Batamula.