Kampala — In a viral TikTok video from a road rehabilitation site along Old Kira Road, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), pressed a project engineer over a series of temporary open drainage inlets installed to manage stormwater during construction.
The interaction, which drew laughter from onlookers, showed Buzeki questioning the engineer’s approach to handling runoff from heavy rains that have frequently soaked road layers, a chronic issue in the city due to inadequate stormwater systems and rapid urbanisation. Kampala’s drainage challenges are well documented, with flooding cited as one of the city’s most pressing infrastructure problems exacerbated by blocked channels and insufficient stormwater capacity.
In the video, the engineer appeared flustered as he attempted to explain why the temporary inlets were necessary to mitigate stormwater risk during the ongoing road works. Buzeki, who has been active in hands on inspections of Kampala’s road projects, pressed for cleaner and more permanent drainage solutions rather than short term fixes as the rehabilitation continues.
Buzeki assumed her role as KCCA Executive Director in December 2024, overseeing major infrastructure upgrades across the capital. Her leadership has placed emphasis on improved urban infrastructure, including better quality roads and drainage systems aimed at tackling Kampala’s long standing flooding woes.
Online responses to the video have been mixed, with many praising her no nonsense oversight and willingness to hold contractors and engineers accountable. Others noted that Kampala’s frequent flooding highlights the broader need for comprehensive drainage solutions in a city where major stormwater conduits such as the Nakivubo Channel have struggled under increased rainfall and silt build up.
The exchange reflects ongoing public scrutiny of infrastructure projects in Uganda’s capital, where the balance between rapid road upgrades and sufficiently robust drainage remains a key development challenge. As construction and drainage works continue across Kampala, authorities have reiterated efforts to strengthen stormwater management and urban resilience.
