By Elijah Khisa
The newly sworn-in Local Council One (LC1) chairperson for Kimwanyi Zone, popularly known as Katanga, Hajji Hassan Wasswa Sempala, has pledged to fight crime and promote economic empowerment programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents in the largely informal settlement.
Sempala made the pledge shortly after taking the oath of office as Kimwanyi Zone LC1 chairperson during a swearing-in ceremony presided over by Kawempe Division Town Clerk Geoffrey Rwakabare.
The ceremony, held at the Kawempe Division headquarters on Thursday, September 3, 2026, saw part of the 105 division village and parish local council leaders take their oaths of office.
Sempala, a staunch National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporter, previously served as the LC1 chairperson of Kimwanyi Zone for several years before being removed from office eight years ago. He has now made a political comeback after defeating a candidate backed by the National Unity Platform (NUP).
He said development programmes and projects in Kimwanyi declined during the period he was out of office, but pledged to work with all stakeholders to restore the community’s development agenda.
Sempala said he would mend fences with residents and leaders who may have been opposed to his return, stressing that unity would be critical to achieving sustainable development in the area.
“We must put our differences aside and work together because the development of Kimwanyi should be our collective responsibility,” Sempala said.
He added that his executive committee would work closely with the Kawempe Division authorities, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and development partners to ensure that Kimwanyi receives greater attention in development programmes.
Sempala said the area deserves special consideration because of its vulnerable and largely low-income population, many of whom depend on informal businesses such as vending and hawking for survival.
He expressed concern that many residents had recently lost their sources of income following enforcement operations against street vendors and hawkers under the city trade order policy.
According to Sempala, his administration will seek ways of supporting affected residents through economic empowerment initiatives while maintaining law and order.
He pledged to prioritise community security, sanitation, economic empowerment and improved collaboration between local leaders and government authorities as part of his administration’s efforts to transform Kimwanyi into a more prosperous community.
