Uncertain Future for KCCA’s Dr. Okello: A Closer Look at the Controversies
Dr. Daniel Ayen Okello, the Director of Public Health and Environment at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), is facing an uncertain future as his term nears its end. His reappointment is in jeopardy, and despite his efforts to secure his position through endorsements from City Hall and the President’s Office, insiders suggest his return is far from assured.
Dr. Okello, who has been in his role since 2018 and has his contract renewed every three years, is under scrutiny for several issues related to his management. Concerns have been raised about the state of the Kiteezi landfill, which serves both Kampala and Wakiso districts. The landfill is reported to be in poor condition with several issues including a missing weighbridge, inadequate garbage compaction, and a non-functional laboratory. Despite an annual budget of UGX 3 billion allocated for its maintenance, there is no sewage treatment in place, and the landfill is at risk of landslides. Residents are considering legal action against the authority due to these problems.
In addition to the landfill issues, there is controversy surrounding the 13 acres of land at the Dundu garbage dumping site in Mukono District. This land has been unused for over six years and is now being encroached upon by unauthorized individuals.
Dr. Okello’s leadership has also faced criticism over how casual workers are treated. It is alleged that payments to these workers have been delayed, affecting the authority’s reputation. Furthermore, the directorate has struggled to recruit permanent staff, with over 80% of its workforce being temporary or casual. This lack of stability has impacted government programs and recent health campaigns.
Another major concern is the centralization of authority in Dr. Okello’s office. Critics claim that this centralization has led to operational issues when he is absent. The Public Health and Environment Directorate, which handles both preventive and curative health services, has faced serious challenges under his leadership. The preventive section, responsible for managing environmental and noise pollution, is notably understaffed with only three employees, two of whom are temporary. This department mainly reacts to complaints rather than taking proactive measures. Allegations also suggest that some staff members, including Dr. Okello, may have conflicts of interest due to ties with bar owners in the city.
The Kiteezi landfill, a crucial part of Kampala’s waste management, is overdue for decommissioning. It suffers from poor management, with untreated leachate being released into the community and cracks in the landfill that could potentially lead to landslides. The failure to implement effective waste reduction strategies, such as waste diversion centers and material recovery facilities, has worsened the situation. Additionally, the second landfill at Dundu remains non-operational and has been encroached upon.
Dr. Okello’s directorate has also been slow to deploy new waste-specific ICT tools and has delayed payments to casual workers, causing dissatisfaction among the workforce. The city only manages to collect about 54% of its waste, and vector control measures, like regular fumigation, have not been effectively implemented to prevent disease spread.
Veterinary services have also been neglected, with stray livestock roaming the city unsupervised. Most abattoirs, apart from the City abattoir, are inadequately monitored.
On the curative side, progress has been slow in constructing the Maternity and Pediatric wards at Kiswa Health Centre. Despite available funds, there has been a failure to recruit health workers, impacting healthcare service delivery.
Dr. Okello’s qualifications have also been questioned. Although he holds a dental degree, critics argue that his background does not align with the responsibilities of his current role. Nevertheless, his close connections are believed to have shielded him from accountability.
