The Dawn of a Municipality: Honouring the Pioneers of Makindye Ssabagabo

This was not merely a bureaucratic reclassification. It was the beginning of a new chapter in self-governance, service delivery, and urban identity for a community of over 280,000 people.

The Journey to Municipal Status

The road to this milestone was neither short nor easy. As far back as 2006, local leaders had begun lobbying for town council status, recognising that sub-county governance was insufficient for a rapidly urbanising area. By 2008, the Wakiso District Council had approved the proposal, but it would take another seven years of advocacy before the dream was fully realised.

When the news finally came in August 2015, it was met with celebration across the community. As one local commentator wrote at the time: "Among the 19 municipalities created by Parliament last evening is my own baby, Makindye Ssabagabo." The ambition had been even greater a municipality and a second constituency  but the achievement of municipal status alone was a monumental victory.

The Visionaries Behind the Dream

Late Sheikh Muhamood Kayiira

Every great transformation has its architects men and women who dare to imagine what others consider impossible. For Makindye Ssabagabo, that vision was first championed by the late Sheikh Muhamood Kayiira, who served as the Council Head and lobbied for a Town Council. The proposal was submitted in 2006 to Wakiso District Council, and the journey toward municipal status began.

However, the decisive moment came during a presidential visit to Makindye Ssabagabo. It was Rosemary Nalukwago Kyambadde, the Sub-County Chairperson, who seized the opportunity and requested municipal status directly from the President. The President granted the request, and the proposal then awaited approval from Parliament a critical period during which the idea of municipal status was first conceived and nurtured.

Rosemary Nalukwago Kyambadde's leadership was instrumental in mobilising the council and the community around the ambitious goal of elevating the sub-county to municipal status. She understood that sub-county governance was insufficient for a rapidly urbanising area, and she worked tirelessly to build consensus among councillors, community leaders, and technical staff.

This council was a formidable team of dedicated public servants. Among them was Hon. Luzzi Godfrey, the Speaker and now the NRM Registrar for Ndejje Division, whose dedication to the cause during those formative years reflected the deep commitment that characterised the entire council. Mrs. Kizza Norah represented Mutungo alongside him. The late Mr. Kijongolo, who later became the Chairperson of Seguku Zone 5, and the late Mrs. Kobusingye Flavia represented Seguku.

Bunamwaya was represented by Nansonga Agnes, who is still a councillor to date, and Kyobe Haruna, who is now a prominent Ugandan football administrator and co-director and shareholder of Vipers Sports Club.

Ndejje was represented by Mrs. Kiwanuka Christine, commonly known as Kigere, and Mr. Lumbuye Gerald, who later became the first Mayor of Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality.

Mutundwe was represented by Mrs. Bugendaye Sarah.

Busabala was represented by Kyanjo Winfred, who now serves as the Masajja Division LC3 Chairperson, and a one Mr. Kalungi.

Masajja was represented by Robert (popularly known as Story) and Mukyala Kigongo.

Namasuba was represented by Mrs. Kawooya Hadijah.

The youth were represented by Ssemuyaba and Persons With Disabilities (PWD) were also represented, with Nankya Maria and Kisolo Kasajja standing for PWD.

The First Leaders: A Foundation of Service

The Pioneer Member of Parliament

At the national level, Hon. Emmanuel Ssempala Kigozi (also known as Ssajjalyabeene) served as the first Member of Parliament for Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality. His role was crucial in ensuring that the new municipality's voice was heard in Parliament, particularly in matters of budget allocation and development funding.

Hon. Ssempala Kigozi's tenure coincided with the challenging early years of the municipality  a period marked by institution-building, capacity development, and the difficult transition from sub-county to municipal governance. His advocacy in Parliament helped secure the resources and support needed to establish the municipality on solid footing.

His representation was not merely about politics; it was about ensuring that the people of Makindye Ssabagabo had a champion in the highest legislative body of the land.

The Pioneer Mayor

At the helm of this new municipality stood His Worship Gerald Lumbuye, the first Mayor of Makindye Ssabagabo. His election marked the beginning of a leadership journey that would navigate the challenging transition from sub-county to municipality.

Mayor Lumbuye's tenure was defined by the difficult task of building institutions from the ground up. In the early years, the municipality faced significant hurdles. By October 2016, only 15 out of the required 90 staff positions had been filled  a stark reminder of the growing pains of a nascent municipality.

Yet, under his leadership, the foundation was laid. He championed environmental protection, notably leading efforts to address encroachment on wetlands, even when it required seeking support from Kampala Capital City Authority due to limited municipal manpower. His vision was of a municipality that would not simply exist, but would actively serve its residents.

While the political leadership evolved through the transition, the early years of the municipality were defined by the collective effort of these pioneers. Together wiThe Pioneers of Gazetted Youth Leadership in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality

The history of gazetted local government youth leadership in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality began with Kayiira Sadat Mawejje Gift, a grandson of the late Sheikh Mahmood Kayiira, who served as the first Youth Chairperson.

Kayiira Sadat Mawejje Gift has continued to serve the municipality in leadership, currently representing Namasuba Ward as a Municipal Councillor and serving as the Minister for Finance at Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council, under the leadership of His Worship the Mayor, Galabuzi John Bosco Sserunkuma.

The pioneering team also included Kyamulabi Diana, who made history as the first female Youth Councillor, and Sserunkuma Yusuf, popularly known as Mzei, who served as the first male Youth Councillor. Both leaders belonged to the vibrant Democratic Party, which was part of the political foundation of youth representation in the municipality.

These pioneering leaders hold an important place in the history of youth participation in local governance in Makindye Ssabagabo. Their leadership marked a significant step towards strengthening youth representation, promoting political participation, and creating opportunities for young people to contribute to decision-making and community development.th the councillors and technical staff, they navigated the challenges of a nascent municipality with limited resources but abundant determination.

The Division Chairpersons and Councillors

The municipality was structured into three divisions, each led by a Chairperson who served as the link between the municipal council and the grassroots. These leaders were responsible for implementing policies at the local level, overseeing service delivery in their respective areas, and ensuring that the voices of residents were heard in the municipal chambers.

The councillors men and women elected from various electoral areas across the municipality formed the legislative backbone of the new administration. They debated policies, approved budgets, and held the executive accountable. From the busy trading centres of Bunnamwaya and Najjanankumbi to the quieter neighbourhoods of Lubowa and Seguku, these councillors represented the full diversity of Makindye Ssabagabo.

Hajji Sulaiman Sejjengo Chairperson of Ndejje Division. A prominent Ugandan sports administrator, community leader, and official best known for his leadership roles within Buganda Kingdom sports, he exemplified the proactive approach of division leaders. Given his leadership roles in different fields of life, his stewardship of the most populous division was critical to the municipality's early stability. He worked to ensure that services reached the grassroots and that the community's needs were addressed. His leadership was about action, not just administration.

Eng. Ssemwanga Kabuzi Godfrey Chairperson of Bunnamwaya Division. An engineer by profession, his technical expertise was invaluable during a period when infrastructure development was a top priority. His division benefited from his understanding of construction, drainage, and urban planning.

Kiyaga John Baptist Chairperson of Masajja Division. His leadership focused on the unique needs of this rapidly growing division, ensuring that its residents received the attention and services they deserved. He had the largest population and a bigger coverage, but given his leadership background right from UYD (Uganda Young Democrats), he led, served, and delivered.

These three leaders worked alongside the municipal council to translate policy into action, and their contributions formed the backbone of early municipal governance.

The Technical Staff: The Engine Room of Municipal Governance

Behind every political leader stood a dedicated team of technical staff the civil servants who translated policy into practice. These were the planners, engineers, health inspectors, revenue collectors, and administrators who kept the municipality running.

The Town Clerk, along with his assistants at the divisions, served as the chief technical officer, advising the council on administrative and legal matters while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the municipality. The technical team was responsible for everything from approving building plans to ensuring environmental compliance, from collecting local revenue to coordinating health outreach programmes.

Their work was not without challenges. The municipality faced significant staffing gaps, with many positions remaining unfilled years after municipal status was granted. Yet these dedicated professionals persevered, demonstrating the commitment that defines true public service.

The Legacy of the Pioneers

Today, Makindye Ssabagabo stands as a testament to the vision of those early leaders. The municipality has grown to a population of over 439,000, with a road network of 393 kilometres and a land area of 87.2 square kilometres. The priorities they established  infrastructure development, education, healthcare, environmental protection, and revenue enhancement remain the guiding pillars of municipal governance.

The transition to municipal status brought tangible benefits. Local revenue collection improved, allowing for greater investment in services. Development funding increased, enabling road construction, drainage systems, and public facilities. Perhaps most importantly, the people of Makindye Ssabagabo gained a government that was closer to them, more responsive to their needs, and more accountable to their aspirations.

Honouring the Journey

As we celebrate the independence and progress of Makindye Ssabagabo, we honour the pioneers  the late Sheikh Muhamood Kayiira and his council, Rosemary Nalukwago Kyambadde, Hon. Luzzi Godfrey, Mrs. Kizza Norah, the late Mr. Kijongolo, the late Mrs. Kobusingye Flavia, Nansonga Agnes, Kyobe Haruna, Mrs. Kiwanuka Christine, Mr. Lumbuye Gerald, Mrs. Bugendaye Sarah, Kyanjo Winfred, Mr. Kalungi, Robert (Story), Mukyala Kigongo, Mrs. Kawooya Hadijah, Nankya Maria, Kisolo Kasajja, Hon. Emmanuel Ssempala Kigozi, Hajji Sulaiman Sejjengo, Eng. Ssemwanga Kabuzi Godfrey, Kiyaga John Baptist, and the technical staff who served during the formative years. Their contributions, often made under difficult circumstances, laid the foundation upon which the municipality continues to build.

They understood that municipal status was not an end in itself, but a beginning. They knew that the true measure of governance was not in titles or structures, but in the lives of the people they served. And they committed themselves to the long, patient work of building institutions, nurturing democratic culture, and delivering services to a community that had placed its trust in them.

The story of Makindye Ssabagabo's journey to municipal status is a story of vision, perseverance, and collective effort. It is a story that reminds us that the strength of any community lies not in its buildings or its budgets, but in the people who serve it with dedication and integrity.