“I am not going to fight Lukwago,” a Kampala minister declares.

The NRM was soundly beaten in the Buganda sub-region by the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by musician turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, for the first time since the return to political pluralism in 2006.

Buzzup spoke with Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala, about a variety of topics, including what the NRM plans to do to turn the political tide in Kampala.

You claimed that you had secured 5000 employment for Saudi Arabia’s youth. Why should we believe you when so many people have made similar promises and then failed to follow through?

We are not in politics because you might claim in politics that you are searching for a vote or a favor, but this time you are free. I was nominated by the president, and my mission is to assist the people of Kampala in finding jobs, as the majority of them are jobless.

So I sought for that chance in Saudi Arabia, and we were promised work in the Middle East for roughly 5000 individuals.

He [investor] pledged to offer us 5000 jobs, and he said I could send him the names whenever I was ready.

He’s been around, and we’ve begun registering folks, so we’re advising them to get vaccinated against Covid-19. We don’t need to charge anything for house girls or maids because their main job is to process passports.

 

In the past, Ugandans have been trapped in the Middle East, while others have been mistreated. How have you agreed to deal with a circumstance like this?

Uganda’s government has implemented steps through the Ministry of Labour. I’m not going to work by myself. I’ll collaborate with the Ministry of Labor on this, and we’ll keep an eye on it.

Our crew will go to several nations to observe how they are treated. These girls are not always good, but women from the Middle East are as well, but we will discover answers under rigorous supervision and monitoring.

Do you believe that shipping young people to the Middle East would help Uganda’s unemployment problem, or do you believe the government is avoiding its obligation to create jobs?

It would help fix the situation in some way because some of them could go for skilling. The government is not avoiding its responsibilities; instead, it is supporting them. You may have a house girl now and pay her Shs 50,000 or Shs 100,000 per month, but when she moves to Saudi Arabia, she will be paid Shs 900,000, which means she will have at least Shs 20 million after two years.

She can establish her own business when she returns with the Shs 20 million. You can’t keep 20 million in your account even if you’re in the market, so we should encourage them to go retrieve the money and bring it back to our country. As a result, the government has not shied away from its responsibilities, and because there is a potential [for these young people to seek work abroad], we are pushing them to take action.

Concerns have been raised regarding the city’s increasing number of crumbling structures. What steps have you done to deal with the problem so far?

We’re still looking into the issue. We don’t know where they receive their supplies, but I believe the building architects and physical planners are also responsible. We are still looking into all of the issues and will provide a report as soon as feasible.

We’re looking into the inspectors and physical planners, as well as where they got their materials. We’ve obtained samples of the building materials found on the site and will write a report on them.

In the past, constant squabbles between the political and technical wings hindered the delivery of services to Kampala residents. What is your current connection with the Lord Mayor?

One thing you should know about me is that I am from Kampala, that I have lived in Kampala and that I have worked with individuals from all across Kampala because I live and work in Kampala.

If we want to provide service to the public, I believe I should not argue with the mayor. I should always communicate with the mayor, and we should operate as a team.

There may be some issues, but I believe we will be able to resolve them. I believe that conflict among politicians should be avoided because I was appointed by the president, and he [Lukwago] was also elected by the people, implying that the people trust him.

If I only battle with him, I’ll wreak havoc on Kampala. We should collaborate.

In the January polls, NRM received a dismal showing in Buganda, with several key figures being thrown out. What are you doing to make a difference in the general elections of 2026?

In Kampala, there are numerous challenges, such as unemployment. People are simply lazy, so if I search around and find some work for them [like in the Middle East], they will return in two years, pleased and supportive of us.

As I have stated, we are looking for other ways to create jobs. Poultry, piggery, gardening, and skilling will all be discussed. I also told you that we’re going to build green houses, which means we’ll be able to employ young people, and the public would love it.

I recognize that losing in Kampala was a problem, but we can overcome it because we will find a way, and I am confident that the people of Kampala will vote NRM.

As the Minister for Kampala, we are doing everything we can to persuade, communicate to, and engage them so that we can collaborate.

Why do you think the opposition does not recognise the NRM’s achievements in Kampala, in your opinion?

They believe that if they speak positively about NRM, people will not vote for them, so they must speak negatively about it. However, no member of Parliament can say, “I am not going to get the pay,” or “I am going to donate the salary to my people.”

They make money, purchase automobiles, and become wealthy. Just because they start talking in the opposite direction makes people think Museveni doesn’t like them, but they know Museveni has accomplished a lot because when they talk about pay increases, they get them, and when they talk about allowances, they receive them.

We are getting along swimmingly with the opposition, particularly in Kampala. We must work together; otherwise, how can we perform if we start running away from the opposition? We require their assistance and should collaborate with them because we are all Ugandans. I am the minister for Kampala, and I am there for everyone, not just the NRM.

Are there any problems you’ve had so far as the Minister for Kampala in carrying out your duties?

Some of the technical staff at KCCA are not particularly nice. In Kampala, taxes and trade regulations, as well as sellers, remain a concern. Those, I believe, are some of the difficulties. We’re putting together an enforcement team for street sellers, and I’ve already told you that the trade order isn’t in place. Although there is a delay, we are working diligently to guarantee that everything is in order, and the program will be available soon.