Mukono District has welcomed a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) following the retirement of Elizabeth Namanda, whose tenure has been marked by both notable achievements and deep-seated administrative turmoil.
Namanda officially handed over office today to Henry Ddamba after clocking retirement age, paving the way for new leadership to steer a district grappling with governance challenges and stalled service delivery processes.
Major Wins
When she assumed office in 2023, Namanda arrived with the confidence of a seasoned public servant and hopes of restoring institutional order in a district struggling with leadership disputes.
One of the tasks before her was navigating a conflict over who held the authority to nominate members to the District Service Commission (DSC) — a standoff between LC5 Chairperson Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa and representatives of the urban councils.
The matter would later be resolved by the Mukono High Court, which directed district leaders to reconstitute the commission.
Despite turbulence, Namanda’s tenure delivered progress on key government projects.
She oversaw the rollout of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Urban Development Program — a transformative initiative meant to improve infrastructure and boost economic activity in metropolitan districts.
Under her watch, Mukono secured financing from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) to upgrade roads including Ntenjeru-Bule (8.5km), Nakayaga–Seeta–Kayunga (17.4km), and Kigombya–Seeta (8.8km).
These investments are expected to ease transport, cut travel time, and enhance business growth.
Environmental and urban development initiatives also took shape, including plans to rehabilitate the Kisakomba swamp and upgrade the Kyetume abattoir and various market facilities, backed by a substantial allocation of approximately Shs 296.9 billion to the district.
District Speaker Betty Hope Nakasi applauded Namanda for her endurance through a difficult term.
“Regardless of all the challenges, she served the district until her retirement,” Nakasi said. The district chairperson, Hajji Harunah Ssemakula, also acknowledged her openness to engaging political leadership, especially the ruling NRM structures.
A Stormy Tenure: Delays, Investigations and Leadership Strain
Despite the bright spots, Namanda’s legacy is overshadowed by a series of administrative controversies and unfulfilled mandates.
Her biggest challenge — restoring full functionality of the DSC — lingered to the very end of her tenure.
While the commission was eventually constituted, its work was stalled by corruption allegations and internal wrangles.
Even after successful candidates were approved, Namanda declined to issue appointment letters — a decision that remains unexplained.
Several individuals who had resigned from previous jobs to join the district service now face the unsettling prospect of re-applying, with no assurance of success.
The recruitment paralysis dealt a blow to critical sectors. Hospitals and health centres remain understaffed, local government administrative units face gaps, and schools lack sufficient personnel.
Other accountability structures also stagnated, including the District Public Accounts Committee and the District Land Board — bodies critical to audit functions and land management respectively.
Transfers of staff became flashpoints too, with some officers refusing to vacate offices despite reassignment, citing protection or loopholes in enforcement.
Namanda’s administration also drew the attention of investigators. In February, she was summoned by the Criminal Investigations Department under General Inquiry File GEF:258/2025 to answer accusations of financial loss involving headteachers and deputies.
In July, 2024 she and other officials faced probes over alleged embezzlement and budget irregularities — including reports of councillors receiving facilitation to pass the district budget and failure to remit required tax percentages from lower local governments.
A Contentious Departure
During her handover, Namanda faulted the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) for failing to correct errors on her national ID, which she claims accelerated her retirement.
“The pressure has been too much at Mukono to save time for rectifying errors,” she remarked.
As she exits, she leaves behind a district at an administrative crossroads — with stalled systems, pending corruption inquiries, unmet staffing needs, and key organs yet to fully function.
Yet she also leaves the foundation for one of the district’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes.
Eyes on the New CAO
The incoming CAO inherits a district yearning for decisive leadership, institutional order, and restoration of public trust.
The spotlight will be on whether they can resolve the long-standing DSC saga, restore disciplinary control over staff, revive stalled governance organs, and accelerate service delivery.
Mukono district residents and leaders now wait anxiously — hopeful that a fresh chapter will bring the stability and transparency the district urgently needs.
ENDS.
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