By BM
What was meant to be a straightforward policy meeting turned into a spirited scene outside City Hall on Thursday, as political party representatives jokingly grumbled about not receiving allowances, just moments after Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) laid down the law on how campaign posters must be handled in the city.
The meeting, summoned by KCCA Executive Director Hajati Sharifah Buzeki and held in the Lord Mayor’s Parlor, brought together Secretary Generals and representatives from all political parties ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Buzeki did not attend in person but was represented by her deputy, Benon Kigenyi, who read her address.
For nearly three hours officials were walked through a new set of tough campaign regulations that will govern how and where candidates can place their posters and other materials during the election period.
But as they trickled out of the room, some party officials were overheard in small groups poking fun at the situation, wondering aloud, in half-jest, why no transport refunds or allowances had been given for their time.
“It’s been a long morning. At least give us something for the airtime,” one official quipped, while another name-dropped KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabiine, laughing, “He should be the one with the envelope.”
While the remarks were clearly made in a joking tone, they reflected an expectation common in Ugandan political circles that such formal meetings often come with a small facilitation or “appreciation.”
Inside the meeting, however, the message from KCCA was anything but casual.
In her statement, Buzeki warned that anyone who violates the new poster placement rules would face legal consequences.
“Any tool placed without authorization shall be considered an illegal structure or litter, and the responsible person shall be prosecuted,” Kigenyi read on her behalf.
The authority said no campaign material will be allowed in public spaces without prior clearance from KCCA.
Only designated areas will be used for posters, and advertising on street poles will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis provided certain criteria are met.
Framed posters must not exceed 0.9 by 0.6 meters, and materials are banned from places like roundabouts, junctions, electric poles, traffic lights, trees, schools, hospitals, and religious institutions.
Private property use requires written consent, and all campaign materials must be removed after the election period.
Also targeted are noisy campaign “drives.” Loudspeaker announcements must stay below 80 decibels and are prohibited before 8:00 AM or after 5:00 PM.
KCCA defended the tough stance by pointing to Kampala’s mounting waste management problems. A 2023 report revealed the city produces up to 2,500 tons of waste daily but collects only about 1,500 tons.
The rest remains uncollected or mismanaged, much of it from unregulated street advertising and political campaigns.
Amid the stern warnings, political tensions briefly surfaced when NRM Secretariat spokesperson Rogers Mulindwa accused opposition supporters of tearing down NRM campaign posters during the night and then blaming KCCA during the day.
“They sabotage our candidates and then point fingers at the city authority. It’s unfair and misleading,” Mulindwa said.
Final versions of the guidelines are expected soon and may include mapped zones and harsher penalties for non-compliance.
